abhangas

Abhangas are a form of devotional poetry in Marathi associated with the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra. They are hymns or songs dedicated to Vitthala (Vithoba), a form of Krishna, and are central to the worship and singing practices of the Varkari tradition. Abhangas are traditionally performed in temples and homes, and are closely linked to the pilgrimage center of Pandharpur during the annual Vitthal-Rukmini worship.

The tradition emerged from the 13th to 17th centuries and reached its greatest development with poets such as Namdev, Jnaneshwar, Tukaram, and Eknath. These poets wrote in the vernacular to address everyday devotees, stressing personal devotion, humility, and a direct relationship with the divine. The abhang form is characterized by compact four-line stanzas or short verses meant for easy memorization and communal singing, often ending with a call to Vithoba or a reverent invocation.

Themes in abhangas include surrender to God's will, gratitude, moral conduct, and the rejection of ritualism in favor of heartfelt devotion. The imagery draws on rural life, the natural world, and the social realities of the time, occasionally offering social critique within a devotional frame. The language is plain and accessible, intended to reach a broad audience beyond scholarly circles.

Today, abhangas remain a living tradition in Marathi religious and cultural life. They are widely studied in literature and theology, sung in temples and gatherings, and continue to influence contemporary devotional music, poetry, and performances within the Varkari movement and beyond.