Bengal festival celebrates Hindu Krishna god and his goddess at Bethnal Green’s Rich Mix

Performances of Baul and Vaishnav medieval and earlier music were staged to packed audiences in Bethnal Green and Poplar ahead of tomorrow’s Bengal festival opening in Mayfair.

Packed audiences hear melodies based on Krishna and his goddess Radha performed at Rich Mix arts centre. Picture source: Radha Raman Society - Credit: Radha Raman Society

Melodies based on the mythical god Krishna and goddess Radha were performed at Bethnal Green’s Rich Mix arts centre on Sunday.

Interpretations of the Hindu divinity were staged by Gouri Chowdhury, Juber Akhtar Suhel, Amalendu Podder, Baul Hussain and the Suraloy music group.

The philosophy of Baul and Vaishnavism from which the music evolved was introduced by curator Ahmed Kaysher.

The festival organised by Radharaman Society opened the day before at the Poplar Union centre with Singers Baul Rani, Baul Shahid, Satarupa Ghosh and Sazzad Miah giving spiritual interpretations of Hindu traditions.

2018 Baul and Vaishnav Bengali weekend music festival opemns in London's East End. Picture source: Radha Raman Society - Credit: Radha Raman Society

They were accompanied by traditional Bengali folk musicians on the mandira and dhol along as well as violin and Tabla, while folk dancer Sohel Ahmed performed rhythmic interpretations.

The festival moves to the Nehru centre in Mayfair on Friday and returns to the East End the East End next day to the Kobi Nazrul centre in Spitalfields, May 5, with Bengali pre-medieval Vaishnav performances and early European Troubadour music.