Kanai Das Baul, a visually impaired folk singer from West Bengal known for his devotion to Baul music and spiritual practice, passed away on 18 April. Despite his blindness, he remained deeply engaged in the Baul tradition, travelling from village to village, fairs and akhras with his one-string instrument (ektara), performing songs centred on humanity and spiritual reflection. Among his well-known renditions are “Manush Bhojle Sonar Manush Hobi” and “Ke Bole Manush More, Ami Bujhlam Na Bapar”, alongside numerous other widely appreciated compositions within the Baul repertoire.
In the course of his career, Kanai Das Baul recorded his first and only playback song for cinema in director Mejbauer Rahman Suman’s upcoming film Roid. The recording took place last year, marking both his debut and final contribution to film playback music. He did not live to hear the final version of the song as used in the film.
Director Mejbauer Rahman Suman, who previously used the Baul song “Aat Ta Baje Deri Koris Na” sung by Basudev Das Baul in his film Hawa, confirmed that the song recorded by Kanai Das Baul for Roid will be released in due course. However, the specific title of the track has not yet been disclosed. The director noted that Kanai Das Baul had expressed interest in listening to the finished composition after completion, but this did not take place prior to his death.
The film Roid, which is currently awaiting release, features performances by Mosstafizur Noor Imran, Nazifa Tushi, and Gazi Rakayet among others. Prior to the release of Kanai Das Baul’s track, the film’s first song, “Roide Aila Ga Jurai Te”, has already been published. This song was written, composed, and sung by Rajib Ahmed Raju of the band Shohojia, with music direction by Rashid Sharif Shoaib.
Film and Music Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Film | Roid |
| Director | Mejbauer Rahman Suman |
| Cast | Mosstafizur Noor Imran, Nazifa Tushi, Gazi Rakayet, others |
| First released song | “Roide Aila Ga Jurai Te” |
| First song contributor | Rajib Ahmed Raju |
| Music director (first song) | Rashid Sharif Shoaib |
| Kanai Das Baul contribution | One playback song (title undisclosed) |
| Status of Kanai Das Baul song | Recorded, pending release |
| Artist’s status | Deceased (18 April) |
Kanai Das Baul’s contribution to Roid thus represents both his first and final involvement in cinematic playback singing, completing a brief but significant intersection between his Baul musical tradition and contemporary film production.