ABSTRACT
In 1937–1939, the Bakes made their longest and most extensive field trip in South Asia. Arnold made numerous unique recordings of, for instance, South Indian folk songs, Sama Veda chanting and Buddhist music from Ladakh. His films and photographs of South Asian musicians and dancers are discussed in the context of the history of colonial photography. The outbreak of the Second World War made it impossible for the couple to return. In 1940–1941, Bake worked at All India Radio, first in Delhi and then in Calcutta, and he certainly learned much about Indian music during this period. Nonetheless, he quit the job and decided to resume his studies in Bengali kirtan instead. In 1945, he performed for two hours as lead singer of a kirtan group, with Nabadwip Brajabashi (who by now had become his guru) on the drums, in the Hindu Vaishnava pilgrim town of Brindavan. Later, he would describe this event as a highlight of his career.
