Ananda Gopal Das Baul
Ananda Gopal Das Baul is a renowned singer and traditional artist representing the Baul musical tradition of West Bengal, India. For nearly four decades, he has carried the essence of Baul music and spirituality all around the world, captivating audiences with his expressive vocals and multi-instrumental performances.
Ananda is not only active musically, but dedicated all his life to sharing Baul spirituality and developing Ashram environment, which is situated in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India. He started his first ashram as a private initiative in 1992 and the second in 2009.
Nowadays ashram is developing into a community centre, focusing on providing cultural education to local children. Ashram also serves as a cultural hub drawing local artists and serving guests from all over the world.
Biswanath Das had three children, with Ananda Gopal Das being the eldest son. Ananda trained under his father from an early age, as well as under his renowned grandfather Panchanan Thakur and grandmother Jogamaya Vaishnavi, eventually becoming an officially recognized folk music artist in India.
Apart from his musical practice, Ananda Gopal Das received his first spiritual initiation at an early age of 9. From the age of 15, he continued his spiritual training in a traditional gurukula in West Bengal under the revered spiritual master Srimad Tapan Kumar Sai.
Lineage
Ananda Gopal Das comes from a traditional Baul family and is a seventh-generation Baul practitioner. Nearly a century ago, five members of his family, led by his grandfather Panchanan Das (Baul), formed one of the first Baul bands, calling themselves “Pancaratna Bāul Sampradāy,” or “The Five Gems” (Pancānan Dās, Biswanāth Dās (d. 2021), Sudhānanda Dās, Gangādhar Dās, Nārāyan Dās). Years later, one of the band members – and Ananda’s father – Biswanath Das became one of the leading Baul musicians in West Bengal. He was known not only for his songs but also for his iconic dance style.
“Pancaratna Bāul Sampradāy,”
or “The Five Gems”
Ananda Gopal Das and his father
Biswanath Das on tour
Initiative to build a safe ashram environment for children and the community
Our non-profit organization strives to serve the community by developing an ashram and providing access to necessary equipment and educational opportunities.
Madhukori Project
Projects we are focusing on
Growing Ashram
Madhukori commit to helping students receive a quality education regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or geographic location. The organization engages parents to actively support their children’s education.
At schools, teachers are change makers. So, what happens to student learning when only one in six teachers in a district has proper training? Adequate funding can help teachers develop the skills needed to make a difference.
