Songs of the Unknown Bird introduces listeners to the Baul and Fakir—musical mystics from Bengal who seek an internal God through their songs and meditations. In this episode, hosts Lucia Thomas and Subhajit Sengupta explore Deho Twotto, the Baul idea that the body itself is the starting point for spiritual understanding.

Through original field recordings taken in villages and towns across West Bengal, the episode features powerful songs and reflections by Baul masters, alongside explanations of their imagery and language. A recurring metaphor within many of the songs is ochin pakhi meaning “unknown bird,” a poetic image for the breath. Listeners learn how Baul songs use coded language within their lyrics—speaking of the unknown bird, news of the wind, and a cage with eight chambers and nine doors—to describe various meditations and one’s inner awareness.

Blending personal narrative, philosophy, and music, this episode reflects on living a good life, the importance of a guru or teacher, and the challenges facing the Baul community today.

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Songs:

Baul Hoye Sohog Kotha Noy | Kangal Hori (composer), Babu Fakir (singer)

Kachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi | Lalon Fakir or Lalon Shah (composer), Selina Fakirini (singer)

Chirodin Pushilam Ek Ochin Pakhi | Lalon Fakir (composer), Nurbaba (singer)

Phaki Dewa Pakhi Re Tor | Ammulyo Sarker (composer), Uttora Baidya (singer)

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Instrumentals:

Jekhane Shai’r Baramkhana | Lalon Fakir (composer), Amirul Fakir (dotara player)

Gram Chara | Rabindranath Tagore (composer), Amirul Fakir (dotara player)

Kachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi | Lalon Fakir (composer), Lucia Thomas (violinist)

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Painting by Dipshikha Debnath