Dibyendu Das (Chotton) comes from an old and very traditional Baul folklore family. He was born on the 23rd of September, in Kolkata (Calcutta). Dibyendu is a true improviser of Baul music and culture; Dibyendu is an eighth generation member of the most respected Baul family in India.

Since infancy, he has been taught by his father and mother to sing, play instruments and to practice Baul meditation. His father is the great and famous folk singer from India, Purna das Baul. His mother, Manju Das, is also a very famous folk singer from India. Dibyendu's father, Purna Das Baul, received the title of Baul Samrat (Emperor of Bauls), from the Indian President in 1967 and after meeting Allen Ginsberg in India toured the US with Mahalia Jackson,Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, appearing on the "John Wesley Harding" album cover.

Chotton, deeply inspired by his father and grandfather, Nabani Das Baul, knew at an early age he too wished to compose and perform. He began on the soil of Bengal but he was destined to belong to the world of music. In 1971 his journey started in early childhood when he joined his mother, Manju Das, and his father, Purna Das, playing and singing Baul music at global festivals. Despite the many world tours, Chotton also found the time to study Science at the University of Kolkata where he eventually secured both his BSC and Masters degrees. So it was that his formal professional career in music began with his family in performances with artists like Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Peter Gabriel, Saggy, Ustad Nasrat Fate Ali & Tom Petty.

Chotton's dream, is to create "Purna Das Baul Academy" & his own unique style of music and to travel the world performing it. In 2001 Dibyendu established an international Baul institution named Purna Das Baul Academy in San Diego, California, U.S.A., which will help students and music-lovers worldwide to learn the ancient Indian Baul music and philosophy He worked hard and soon became a master of Indian rhythm's and melodies. Though the subsequent years, Chotton put this solid foundation in music to good use by composing and performing in all areas of India's entertainment industry as well as in a variety of venues world wide. Then, in keeping with his early dreams of a unique style of his own, he turned to the music of the western world that he had become so familiar with in his early years of performance. His use of Baul & Indian rhythms combined with the Reggae produced his own brand of World Music - Chotton's New Age, Bengali Folk Fusion is the result.

Dibyendu is preserving and continuing in the Baul tradition. He sings and writes songs relevant to contemporary life in the style of the wandering Baul minstrels of Bengal. He travels from festival to festival performing for his living and teaching of the ways of his people to a world audience. His songs speak of the same commitment in simple yet very meaningful language. "To come to a western culture and to sing modern music is not to sway from his own culture and beliefs - it is to further share the joyous song of the Baul."

Dibyendu sings the teachings of simple, peaceful, loving, and passionate people in celebration of the human form - engaged forever in the quest to find the Divine within. In these turbulent times as nations continue to posture against each other it is comforting to hear the songs of peace and love sung by Dibyendu, his band 'Khepa' and to hear the messages of the Baul's of Bengal.

Dibyendu (Chotton) arrived in New York on Sept. 25th, 2003. He toured the United States with his father, Purna Das Baul, participating in workshops and spiritual events. He recorded a fusion CD with Garth Hardson & Suggy when he returned to New York City.

Chotton's brother is another well known Baul performer, Babukishan.

Official Web Site: www.baulsamratpurnadas.com

Agun Pani Batash Mati