Abhang

Abhanga is a form of devotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthal, also known as Vithoba.

[3][4] Marathi bhajans start with the naman (invocation of god), followed by the Roopancha Abhang (Portraying the physical beauty of god by personifying in the human form) and towards the end bhajans giving spiritual and ethical messages are sung.

Some famous musicians for Abhangs are Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Sudhir Phadke, Suresh Wadkar, Ranjani, Gayatri, Aruna Sairam and Jitendra Abhisheki.

All these happened around places like Paithan, Pandharpur, Mangal Veda, Alandi and slowly spread to the entire Maharashtra.

He was a popular poet and a leading figure in the Varkari 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.

Abhang
Abhang
A picture of the Syambhu Vithoba idol at the Pandharpur Temple
This is the oldest available image of Tukaram, 1832 A.D. It was a cover to a handwritten manuscript of Tukaram's abhangs belonging to a Varkari Haibatbaba Arphalkar
Sant Dnyaneshwar
Namdev
A Varkari journeys from Alandi to Pandharpur. He carries a veena (lute) with saffron flag attached, and cymbals tied to strings in his hands.