File:Songs of the Madman.jpg

English: Bauls are a group of itinerant mystic singers who have been wandering from one Bengali village to another for centuries, extolling the "ways of love". This unique community has a rich cultural heritage that developed over a long period. Their way of life has been formed through the direct and indirect interactions of ritualistic and cultural folk beliefs and ideas.

The word Baul literally means "mentally disturbed," with a connotation of frenzied behavior. The Bauls, "God's Madmen" follow no doctrine and preach, no religion. on the contrary, they stand against all forms of social or religious sectarianism. Freedom of spirit is theirs by word. They are known for their unconventional lifestyle and different approach to religion. The true beauties of the Baul lie in their free-spirited nature. They do not believe in rules and regulations pertaining to the orthodox religion. Their way of achieving ‘moksha’ is different from any other orthodox views; they take a fresh look towards seeking the Supreme PoweIn Baul’s philosophy, the human body is given the highest value. According to them, the human body is the microcosm of the universe. They considered the human body as a temple where the Lord resides. The human body is composed of Pancha-bhuta (air, water, sky, earth, and fire) and the dwelling place of God. So in Baul’s sadhana, the human body deserved the ultimate reality where one can unite with the Supreme Being through their human body.

These days, their generation is under threat, and their appearance is dimming. As time passes, these free-spirited and culturally rich communities may lost over the abyss of time.