Warkaris rendering abhangas on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river
| Photograph Credit score: Emmanual Yogini
It’s 4 a.m., the sky, a deep indigo, is illuminated by fading stars and the air is crisp with the promise of daybreak. The waris gear as much as start their annual 250 km yatra to the abode of Vithoba in Pandharpur. The boys wearing white dhoti or pyjama, kurta and the acquainted Gandhi topi and ladies in vibrant nauvari (nine-yard sari worn in Maharashtrian model) collect with saffron patakas (triangular flag) fluttering within the early morning breeze. Some carry devices such because the chipli (wood clappers), mridanga (drum), tuturi (curved brass horn) and ektari (stringed instrument). All by the journey they sing abhangs in unison until the yatra culminates on Ashadi Ekadashi.
The Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palki passing by the Dive ghat close to Pune.
| Photograph Credit score:
Emmanual Yogini
The phrase ‘abhang’, that means ‘unbroken’, are verses in reward of Vittala. Written in Marathi by saint-poets resembling Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram, they have been supposed to make non secular teachings accessible to the widespread man who couldn’t perceive Sanskrit. Over time, abhangs have trascended from pilgrimage routes and temple courtyards to the live performance stage. Famend classical musicians resembling Kishori Amonkar and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi have performed a major function in popularising them amongst wider audiences.
Mahesh Kale makes use of multimedia presentation in his efficiency to boost the enchantment of his abhang displays
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu
Says Hindustani vocalist and playback singer Mahesh Kale, “As we speak, it’s heartening to see so many younger faces on the abhang concert events I carry out throughout the nation at the moment of the yr. It reveals how the expression of religion in these emotive verses is connecting with folks. Language is not any barrier. The viewers response has been overwhelming and reassuring. It conjures up me to consistently improve the presentation of my Abhangwari live performance collection. As an example, I take advantage of multi-media projections and narration to make it extra interactive. We additionally recreate a Vittala procession on the finish of every live performance to offer audiences a real-time really feel of the warkari sampradaya.”
With musicians changing into extra experimental with codecs, abhang too is getting a recent twist. Mumbai-based Abhanga Repost, a six-member folks fusion band, blends the devotional poetry with new-age sounds. The members, who’ve grown up listening to abhang, did some analysis to know the deeper that means of those songs earlier than performing them. “They make you assume,” says bass guitarist Swapnil Tarphe. “The response has been phenomenal. After one in every of our jamming classes posted on Fb garnered large views, we have been flooded calls.” From worldwide excursions to acting at main music festivals within the nation, the band, which is all set to launch its third album, admits music has no boundaries.
Aruna Sairam popularised abhangs by singing them in her Carnatic concert events.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu
Chennai-based Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam is among the many first to introduce abhang in kutcheris. “Having grown up in Mumbai, I used to be launched to it at a younger age. I’ve seen warkaris rendering them throughout their annual yatra. My mom additionally used to organise abhang classes at dwelling. The music and devotion left a deep affect on me. A lot later, after I started performing kutcheris, I felt why not embrace abhang within the tukkada part. The audiences’ wonderful response pushed me to even do unique abhang concert events.”
Mahesh Kale
| Video Credit score:
Particular Association
Realising the enduring enchantment of abhang, Shashi Vyas, founding father of Pancham Nishad, launched the annual multi-city live performance collection Bolava Vitthala 15 years in the past. Apparently, it was he who prompt this title to Kishori Amonkar for her abhang concert events. “As we speak, greater than 100 abhang concert events are held in Mumbai and different cities on Ashadi Ekadashi. Over time. a devoted following had led to abhang changing into a staple of classical music concert events. Composed centuries in the past, these devotional verses proceed to resonate throughout generations,” he says.
Your date with abhang
The Benguluru version of Pancham Nishad’s ‘Bolava Vitthal’ this yr will characteristic Jayateerth Mevundi and Arya Ambekar, who will bridge the bhakti heritage of Maharashtra and Karnataka by abhangs. Date & Venue: July 17 (6.30 p.m.), Chowdiah Memorial Corridor.
Mahesh Kale’s Abhangwari live performance collection could have its subsequent stopovers on July 18, 7 p.m. at Chamara Vajra, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru and at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, on July 19, 5 p.m.
Revealed – July 17, 2026 01:37 pm IST
