Abhang, the devotional poetry and music tradition of Maharashtra, is witnessing renewed popularity across India. Musicians, performers, and cultural organisers agree that the enduring appeal of Abhang lies not merely in its melodies but in the profound spiritual and philosophical meaning of its lyrics. The verses of saints such as Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Janabai, Purandar Das and Kanak Das communicate universal themes of devotion, humility, hope and human connection, making them relevant to audiences across generations. Artists emphasise that understanding the poetry is central to performing Abhang authentically, and that compositions should emerge from a deep engagement with the text rather than simply presenting it in an attractive musical format.
Fusion and contemporary arrangements have played an important role in expanding Abhang’s reach. Rather than viewing experimentation as a threat, musicians believe it offers an opportunity to introduce younger audiences to the tradition. They argue that Indian musical traditions should evolve naturally while retaining their core values, much as Western musical influences have long been absorbed into Indian popular culture. Performers focus on creating fresh interpretations without compromising the devotional essence, allowing the genre to remain culturally relevant.
Artists also point out that Abhang is best experienced live. While recordings on digital platforms such as Spotify and YouTube help build audiences, concerts create a powerful emotional atmosphere that cannot be replicated online. Listeners often describe live performances as spiritually uplifting, citing the collective energy shared between performers and audiences. This immersive experience has significantly contributed to the genre’s growing popularity.
Veteran Carnatic musicians observe that changing audience preferences have also worked in Abhang’s favour. Today’s listeners often seek music that offers emotional comfort, spirituality and meaningful communication amidst increasingly fast-paced lives. As concert audiences become more diverse, devotional forms such as Abhang provide an accessible emotional connection even for those without formal training in classical music.
A major force behind the nationwide revival has been cultural organisation Pancham Nishad and its annual festival Bolava Vithal, founded in 2005. Inspired by legendary vocalist Kishori Amonkar, the festival was conceived to preserve, popularise and propagate Abhang music beyond Maharashtra. Its founder believes that presenting Abhang under a recognisable and appealing identity, while combining performances with contextual storytelling, helped attract wider audiences. Over the past two decades, Bolava Vithal has travelled to more than 35 cities across India, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Varanasi and Ahmedabad, introducing the tradition to regions where it was previously little known.
The movement has also encouraged leading classical and playback singers—including Rahul Deshpande, Mahesh Kale, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan and several younger artists—to embrace Abhang in their repertoire. Organisers believe the genre has now reached a tipping point and predict that within the next decade, dedicated Abhang concerts will become as common as classical or devotional music festivals across India, ensuring that this centuries-old tradition continues to thrive among contemporary audiences.
Read the full story that first appeared in The Hindu dated July 17, 2026 here:
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