Bradford brings Baul music to book
A West Yorkshire social landlord has published two volumes celebrating this near-forgotten South Asian folk tradition
A book celebrating the ancient Baul music tradition was launched in Bradford last month in an effort to help preserve and revive this long-neglected folk culture.
The book features more than 100 original songs written by people of South Asian heritage from Bradford and neighbouring Keighley.
Baul music originated in what is today Bangladesh, and the West Bengal region of India, but since its heyday as a popular art-form, it has slipped into relative obscurity.
The Bradford district, in West Yorkshire, is home to numerous writers of this folk tradition, but most of their work has never been published.
That's where Sadar Uddin, who works for a local housing association, steps into the story.
Uddin, a community partnership and investment manager with Manningham Housing Association, came with the project idea; a vehicle to revive, preserve, and promote the writing of Baul music in Bradford.
It's fitting, given that the city is set to serve as UK City of Culture in 2025.
“This is the first ever project where Baul heritage music has been translated into English, and into musical scores so that anyone from any musical background can play these songs,” Uddin said.
“We are keen to promote this music to as wide a community as possible – not just in Bradford and Keighley, but beyond Bradford district.”
Manningham Housing gave its support to Uddin's project, but it also received financial backing from the Bradford Council Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund, along with the Leap Pioneer Programme.
With this support, the housing association has published two volumes of lyrics in both English and Bengali, together with sheet music for local communities to access and enjoy.
Baul & Mystic Songs of South Asian Heritage Volumes 1 & 2 was launched at a community gathering held in October at Prestige Hall in Bradford. It was attended by many of the contributing writers.
During the event, a selection of their songs was performed by professional musicians, and a mouth-watering cake closely resembling one of the books was cut by Manningham Housing's vice chair, Rupert Pometsey.
The writers were also presented with certificates in recognition of their achievements, by the organisation's deputy chief executive Ulfat Hussain, who wrote the foreword for both volumes.
“Among our pioneering initiatives, the Baul Heritage Project stands as a testament to our commitment to tenant and resident empowerment,” Hussain said.
“As the first project of its kind by a social housing provider, this unique endeavour unites tenants and residents, fostering a collective of talented individuals eager to contribute to the broader community’s enrichment.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bradford Council and The Leap for their generous support, which enabled us to showcase the remarkable talents of our songwriters, poets and artists.
“We sincerely hope to see their exceptional work form a significant part of Bradford’s tenure as UK City of Culture 2025, where it can rightfully receive the recognition and appreciation it deserves.”
Sabir Musaji, The Leap's community development manager, said: "I want to thank Sadar and his team for stepping up. They have a wonderful mindset which makes projects like this happen.
“Most of all, I want to thank them for a project that demonstrates full inclusiveness.
“We have a piece of work which is beautiful and made for generations of musicians to perform today, tomorrow and for years to come.”
MC