Kali

Kali is a collaborative track by British-Asian producer State of Bengal (Sam Zaman) and Bengali folk musician Paban Das Baul. The composition appears as the second track on the album Tana Tani, released on April 12, 2004, under Peter Gabriel’s Real World label. The album adopts a CD format and merges elements of electronic music with traditional Baul folk traditions from Bengal.

The track spans 7 minutes and 55 seconds. It features Das Baul’s vocal delivery and signature ektara (one-stringed instrument) alongside State of Bengal’s electronic production. The lyrics draw from Baul philosophy, invoking the goddess Kali as a metaphor for divine and earthly duality. The album Tana Tani marks one of the earliest documented studio collaborations between a Baul artist and an electronic producer, with Real World facilitating cross-cultural exchange through its roster.

Critical reception of Tana Tani often highlights Kali for its fusion of sacred Baul themes with contemporary beats. The album’s liner notes credit Zaman for production and arrangement, while Das Baul contributes lyrics, vocals, and traditional instrumentation. No official music video or single release accompanied the track. Additional context about the recording sessions or live performances remains undocumented in available sources.