Bhakti · Sant / Bhakti tradition
North Indian mystic poet and weaver (c. 1440–1518), revered by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike; his verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Kabir was born and lived in Varanasi, working as a weaver while composing verses that cut across the religious divides of his time, drawing on both Hindu bhakti devotion and Sufi mysticism while rejecting empty ritual, caste, and dogma wherever he found it, Hindu or Muslim.
His poetry survives in oral and written traditions across North India, and a substantial body of his verse was later incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture of Sikhism, alongside the compositions of the Sikh gurus themselves.
Short introductions and longer conversations, to hear this teacher in their own words.
A journey through religion, nationalism and music from India to Pakistan via the 15th-century mystic poet Kabir, following folk singers, qawwals and thinkers along the way. Part of the award-winning Kabir Project series (National Film Award, Special Jury Prize 2011).
