Kenduli Mela

There are numerous large and small festivals takes place in West Bengal, India. Kenduli Fair in Bengal is one such fair that offers an opportunity to encounter the Bauls(a member of a nonconformist Bengalese sect having gurus but no dogmas, rituals, religious institutions, or scriptures) of India. This term literally means one who is "afflicted with the spirit of wind or mad”. Kenduli is at a distance of about 42 km from serene Shantiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore’s adobe of peace. The people of West Bengal celebrate their cultural lineage with immense love and respect. In fact, the celebration of their art and craft forms an integral part of their cultural heritage. It is a premier festival of Bauls and is a major attraction among the people from all corners of India. It is a well-known sect of Bengal who tries to popularize the folk music of Bengal which is also known as Baul Music. The fair was held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and people from all over India throng to hear the magical sounds of the strings played by them. These wandering minstrels of Bengal are the primary source of attraction of this Kenduli Mela which is celebrated from 14th to 16th January. This three-day long affair pulls crowd from all over the country.This festival gives a unique opportunity to the music lovers to enjoy this unique tradition of music and see the Bauls performing their best. They abide by no specific religious doctrine and adopt only those aspects of  religion that leads the locks to self-realization. It is hard to think of Bengali culture without Bauls, as they appear to have inherited the legacy of Jayadeva songs. They are the essential part of Bengal's spirit that is ever flowing in its society, culture, religion and spirituality. Everything from cooking utensils to fishing nets is sold in the fair.The river Ganga accounts for one of the huge festivals-cum-fair. On the last day of Indian month of Pous lakhs of assembled pilgrims have a holy dip at the Saugour island beach on the estuary of the Bhagirathi River, where a makeshift township is erected for their reception by the state authorities. The holy dip is considered to be sanctified enough to wash away the sins of all past deeds. This ritual is accompanied with colourful fair, with a temporary market full of all local and traditional items of the place. Spiritualism, music and gassy colours of joy seem dissolved in the air throughout the fair.  The pilgrims who belong to all sections of Hindus flock by river crafts of all descriptions. Complete bazars (markets) springs up for meeting their needs. Medical together with hospital facilities are made available and Hindu missionary bodies provide thousands of volunteers to look after their welfare.Dressed in saffron attire, with a distinctive musical instrument called 'Ektara', they sing uniquely about life's philosophy. They nimbly use innocuous expressions, in place of the ones considered offensive, and succeed in expressing their point of view. Their entire livelihood depends upon this singing. They now hold a distinct identity, after being included in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity", by UNESCO.For an unforgettable dose of West Bengal folk music don't miss the Kenduli Mela.