Bangalore, Oct 15 (IANS) The wandering minstrels of Bengal, Baul-Fakirs, will enthrall Bangaloreans during Diwali celebrations here Saturday.
Christened Baul-Fakir Utsav, the event will feature six of the finest Baul and Fakir (Sufi) singers from Shantiniketan.

The utsav has been organised by Bangotsab Samiti, an organisation of Bengalis residing in Bangalore. On Saturday, Bengalis will celebrate Kali Puja, alongside Diwali across India.

The venue of the function, about 10 km south of the city centre, will be transformed into a mini-Bengali village to give music lovers a feel of true Bengali culture, Anindita Choudhury, a member of the Samiti, told IANS.

“It will take music lovers on a journey of a carefree and joyful living in a village,” she added.

Six acclaimed artistes will sing at the event - Shanatan Das Baul, Shasti Das Baul, Sandeep Baul, Armaan Fakir, Gholaam Fakir and Aakkash Fakir.

“This is for the first time Baul and Fakir singers will be performing in Bangalore,” said Arunanshu Banerjee, president of the Samiti.

The Baul tradition has been included in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by Unesco in 2005. Poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore was himself a huge fan of Baul music.

Fakir belongs to the Sufi genre of music.

“Both Baul and Fakir genres of music have rich historical, cultural and social significance. They are social reformers in their own way,” said Anindita.