Abhanga is a form ofdevotionalpoetry sung in praise of theHindu godVitthal, also known asVithoba. The word "abhang" comes froma for "non-" andbhanga for "ending" or "interrupting", in other words, a flawless, continuous process, in this case referring to a poem.[1] By contrast, the devotional songs known asBhajans focus on the inward journey. Abhangs are more exuberant expressions of the communitarian experience.[2] Abhanga is considered a form of theovi. Abhangs are sung during pilgrimage to the temples ofPandharpur, by the devotees.[3][4]
Marathibhajans start with thenaman (invocation of god), followed by theRoopancha Abhang (Portraying the physical beauty of god by personifying in the human form) and towards the end of the bhajan, spiritual and ethical messages are sung.
Some famous musicians for Abhangs areBhimsen Joshi,Kishori Amonkar,Sudhir Phadke,Suresh Wadkar,Ranjani, Gayatri,Aruna Sairam andJitendra Abhisheki. It is a form of music performed by both classical and non-classical musicians.[5]
It has become integral inBhajan concerts across India.
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Bhakti Sampradaya or Namasankeerthana Sampradhaya was pioneered byJñāneśvar around 1200. Around that time it was believed thatSanskrit was required to attain Godliness. Both Jñāneśvar andNamdev through their works, devotion andbhakti could initiate asampradaya that did not attach importance tocaste or creed but only devotion toLord Panduranga. This was the birth of "Bhakti Sampradaya" wherein it was possible to attain Godliness merely throughBhakti(devotion). This could be easily adopted and practised by the masses. Women and children were easily attracted to this new form of worship. Thus was born the Namasankirtana cult and Varkari Sampradaya. All these happened around places likePaithan,Pandharpur, Mangal Veda,Alandi and slowly spread to the entire Maharashtra. Other prominent singers wereVarkari saints likeEknath andTukaram.
Tukaram was a seventeenth century poet who lived in the town ofDehu, which is located nearPune. He was a popular poet and a leading figure in theVarkari 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 SantTukaram. Many of them were devoted to the GodVitthal orVithoba, but mostly criticized social injustices of the time.
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