Abhang
Also called: Abhanga · Topic: Bhakti and Sufi Traditions · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
An abhang is a Marathi devotional song. It was sung by the sants (saint-poets) of Maharashtra, especially the Varkaris, who go on pilgrimage to Pandharpur to worship Vitthala (Vithoba), a form of Vishnu. Bhakti in Maharashtra grew from the 13th century. The abhang carried it to ordinary people in their own language. Abhangs also influenced others: they probably inspired the short Dakhani songs that Chishti sufis wrote around Bijapur.
Example
Chokhamela, a 14th-century saint from the "untouchable" Mahar caste, wrote abhangs to Vitthala. In them he spoke of the pain of being shut out by caste. The later saint Tukaram also composed abhangs, and they are still sung by Varkari pilgrims on the way to Pandharpur.
Don't confuse with
- Vachana: a saying in Kannada by the Virashaivas (Lingayats) of Karnataka. It is not a Marathi song to Vitthala.
Related concepts
- Adi Shankaracharya
- Advaita Vedanta
- Shankaracharya mathas
- Ramanuja
- Vishishtadvaita
- Madhvacharya
- Haridasa movement
- Purandara Dasa
- Kanaka Dasa
- Annamacharya