Sant Tukaram (c. 1608 – 1650)

The shopkeeper-poet whose abhangs became Maharashtra's heartbeat.

BACKGROUND

Born in a Vani (trader) family, the Mores. He lost his parents and first wife in the famine of 1630-31, and his business collapsed. He turned wholly to Vitthal, composing abhangs on the hills near Dehu. He faced opposition from orthodox Brahmins yet his songs spread among the people. Contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj, who is said to have revered him.

PLACE OF BIRTH

Dehu, near Pune, on the Indrayani river, Maharashtra.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

• About 4,000 abhangs (the Gatha): frank, witty, devotional, often sharply critical of hypocrisy

• Made the Wari and kirtan a mass movement

• Wrote in plain Marathi that anyone could sing

• His verses remain the soundtrack of the Palkhi procession

PLACE OF SAMADHI

Dehu. Tradition says he ascended to Vaikuntha in his own body (sadehi vaikuntha gamana) in 1650. Today the Tukaram Maharaj temple at Dehu marks the place, and the Palkhi starts from here every year.