Indian (Baul Fakir) Instrument Workshops with Katalin Burns | DUGGI DRUM

The workshops introduce the audience to an instrument of the Baul fakir musicians of West Bengal. The mystical songs of the Bauls, with Hindu or Muslim themes, are known east of Calcutta and even in Bangladesh. The Baul fakirs often perform their sung poems and mystical verses while standing, strumming a single-stringed instrument (ektara) with their right hand, with a guttural-sounding drum (duggi) attached to their left, and a rattle (ghungru) on their ankles, moving in space with strong emotional intensity. This 'one-man band' represents spirituality, divine revelation and detachment from everyday life in village communities, i.e. the Baul singer connects the Earth with the sky in the eyes of the community. The other essential instrument in Bengali folk music is the dotara, which provides a more melodic accompaniment than the instruments mentioned above.

Kati Burns has been studying Baul music for seven years as a regular participant in residency programmes, and has collected Baul music and performed with Baul performers in Calcutta, Gorbhanga, Joydeb and Santiniketan.

Baul fakirs use a belt to attach the mystical duggi drum to their sides so that they can perform their songs while changing position, walking or spinning. The duggi is struck during accented parts of the melody lines, in harmony with the other instruments in the fakir 'arsenal'. Strumming the duggi adds an interesting musical texture to the songs. If you feel like it, you can try it, along with the other fakir instruments. Participants will also get closer to the world of Baul music and performance style.

Participation fee: 2500 HUF / person
No discounts apply.
Ticket is also valid for the exhibition on the day of the programme.
Max. number of participants: 20