The poetry of the saints has a timeless power: Rahul Deshpande on 11 years of Abhangwari

For 11 years, Rahul Deshpande’s Abhangwari has carried the devotional poetry of Maharashtra’s Bhakti saints to audiences across the country, growing from a musical offering into a powerful cultural and spiritual experience.

‘A LIVING SPIRITUAL TRADITION’ Reflecting on the journey, Rahul said, “Abhangwari began as a simple musical offering of devotion. Over the years it has grown into something much larger because audiences have embraced it with immense love. The poetry of the saints has a timeless power, and every time we perform these Abhangs, it feels like participating in a living spiritual tradition.” Grandson of legendary vocalist Vasantrao Deshpande, Rahul has built a distinct identity through both classical and devotional music.

Through Abhangwari, he says, the effort has always been to recreate the collective spirit of Bhakti. CELEBRATING THE WARKARI SPIRIT Conceived as a tribute to the Warkari tradition, Abhangwari draws from the verses of Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev and other saint poets whose Abhangs continue to resonate across generations. “The Warkari movement is built on the idea that devotion belongs to everyone. Through Abhangwari, we try to recreate that collective spirit where people come together and experience the beauty of Bhakti through music,” Rahul added.

Over the years, the concert series has evolved into a celebration of Maharashtra’s spiritual and cultural heritage, keeping the timeless tradition of Abhangs alive for contemporary audiences.