Mentioned below are some of the Marathi saints who wrote Abhangas :
Tukaram was a poet who lived in the town of Dehu, which is located near Pune. He was a popular poet and a leading figure in the Varkari Movement of the time, which sought to put the emphasis back on devotion and love towards God, in contrast to blind obedience of rituals and arcane religious practices. It is said that over 5000 Abhangas were written by Sant Tukaram. Many of them were devoted to the God Vitthal or Vithoba, but mostly criticized social injustices of the time. They were powerful sermons, useful even today.
Kanhopatra was a 15th-century Marathi saint-poet, venerated by the Varkari sect of Hinduism. Kanhopatra wrote Marathi ovi and abhanga poetry telling of her devotion to Vithoba and her struggle to balance her piety with her profession of being a courtesan and dancing-girl. In her poetry, she implores Vithoba to be her saviour and release her from the clutches of her profession. About thirty of her abhangas have survived, and continue to be sung today. Aga Vaikunthichya Raya, Nako Devaraya Anta Aata Pahu are some of her popular Abhangas.
Sant Gora Kumbhar was associated with the Bhakti movement and the Varkari sect of Maharashtra. He was a potter by trade and devotee of Vithal. He used to make his living by making toys and selling them in the market. He would always think about Vitthal and perform his duties. His heart was filled with love for Pandurang. Gorobha would be chanting and singing the praise of god even when he is stamping and pounding the clay for making toys. He would always forget himself and transcend to a different world while singing about god. He used make toys like Vitthal, Rukmani, Rama, Krishna; color them and take them to the market place. He was so immersed in the love for god that even in his profession he would only make pottery items that reminded him of god. Nirgunacha Sang Dharila, Nirgunache Bheti Aalo are some of his Abhangas.
Sant Chokha Mela lived in Mangalavedha near Pandharpur in Maharashtra in the 14th century. He was born in the lower cast (Mahar), but his devotion to Lord Vitthala was pure and unmatched. He migrated to Pandharpur and became a disciple of the great saint-poet Namdev. Chokha used to constantly chant the name of Panduranga and clean the temple premises daily. However, he was not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum due to his birth in the lower caste. Abir Gulal Udhalit, Aamha Na Kale Dnyan, Johar Maybap Johar, Dhav Ghali Vithu Aata, Pandhariche Sukha Nahi are some of the abhangas written by Sant Chokha Mela.
Janabai was born in Ganagakhed to a couple belonging to a lower caste. After her mother died, her father took her to Pandharpur. Since her childhood, Janabai worked as a maidservant in the household of Damasheti, who lived in Pandharpur and who was the father of the prominent Marathi religious poet Namdev. Janabai was likely a little older than Namdeo, and attended to him for many years. Some of her abhangas are Jani Ukalite Veni, Jani Jaay Paniyasi, Jani Mhane Panduranga, etc.
Sant Banudas was a Hindu sant who brought back the sacred image of the god Vithoba back from Vijayanagara to Pandharpur, its original location. He was Sant Eknath’s great grandfather. As a boy he worshipped the Sun but later came to worship Vithoba. He is the subject of two chapters in the Bhaktavijaya. His Samadhi situated in Solkhambi Mandap of Vitthal temple at Pandharpur. Ya Vithucha Gajar Hari Namacha is a popular Abhanga penned by Sant Bhanudas.
Sant Soyarabai was a saint from the Mahar caste in 14th-century Maharashtra, India. She was a disciple of her husband, Chokhamela. Her poems describe her devotion towards God and voice her objections against untouchability. Haribhajanavin Kal Ghalavu Nakore is a popular abhanga written by Sant Soyrabai. Sant Janardan Maharaj,
Sena Maharaj,
Vishnudas Namdeo Maharaj are some of the saints who have written Abhagas like Deha Shuddha Karuni, Jata Pandharis Sukh Vate, Majhi Renuka Mauli, Ratra Kali Ghagar Kali, etc.
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