The Debate Over Improvisation’s Legitimacy in Bengali Devotional Performance

Abstract

 Donna M. Wulff’s article probes the contentious question of improvisation in Bengali kīrtana, exploring how performers and audiences negotiate the tension between innovation and tradition within devotional music. Based on extensive fieldwork and interviews with seasoned kīrtanīyās, the article unpacks the philosophical and aesthetic debates surrounding un-scripted lyrical and rhythmic variations during live performances. Some purists argue that improvisation risks diluting scriptural integrity and emotional authenticity, while others view it as a legitimate expression of personal devotion (bhāva) and a vital aspect of līlā-dynamism in Caitanyaite traditions. Wulff highlights how the tension between textual fidelity and experiential spontaneity reflects broader theological currents within Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism—particularly its emphasis on affective surrender and participatory ecstasy. Through detailed performance analyses, Wulff shows that improvisation functions not merely as aesthetic embellishment but as a generative ritual act—fusing memory, embodiment, and emotion. The article ultimately invites a rethinking of orthodoxy and creativity in devotional practice, underscoring how kīrtana lives at the intersection of preservation and improvisational renewal.