FM Sitharaman attends Abhangwari, unveils devotional song in Mumbai
Synopsis
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended Abhangwari, a devotional musical presentation by National Award-winning artist Mahesh Kale in Mumbai, and unveiled his new composition 'Lahanpan Dega Deva', inspired by the abhang poetry of 17th-century Marathi saint Sant Tukaram.
Key Takeaways
Nirmala Sitharaman attended Abhangwari , a devotional musical programme, in Mumbai on 27 July 2026 .
She unveiled the devotional song 'Lahanpan Dega Deva' , an original composition by National Award-winning artist Mahesh Kale .
The song is inspired by the abhang poetry of Sant Tukaram , the 17th-century Marathi saint-poet central to the Varkari tradition.
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar was also present at the event.
The event reflects continued political engagement with Maharashtra's Bhakti-era cultural and devotional heritage.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended Abhangwari, a devotional musical presentation by National Award-winning artist Mahesh Kale, in Mumbai on Sunday, 27 July 2026. At the event, she unveiled a new devotional song titled 'Lahanpan Dega Deva', an original composition by Kale inspired by the abhang poetry of 17th-century Marathi saint Sant Tukaram.
Context
Abhangwari is a devotional musical programme centred on the abhang tradition — a form of devotional poetry rooted in Maharashtra's Bhakti movement. Mahesh Kale, a National Award-winning vocalist celebrated for his renditions of classical and devotional Marathi music, curated and performed at the event. Ashish Shelar, Cabinet Minister in the Government of Maharashtra, was also present at the programme.
The newly unveiled song 'Lahanpan Dega Deva' draws its inspiration from the compositions of Sant Tukaram, the 17th-century poet-saint whose abhangs (devotional poems) remain a cornerstone of the Varkari tradition in Maharashtra. The title phrase, loosely meaning 'grant me humility, O Lord', reflects the characteristic spiritual ethos of Tukaram's verse.
Policy Backdrop
Central ministers from the ruling BJP have periodically attended regional cultural programmes in Maharashtra that spotlight Bhakti-era saints and their literary legacies. Such appearances align with broader state and central initiatives aimed at promoting Marathi cultural heritage and integrating regional devotional traditions into the national cultural conversation.
Maharashtra's Varkari tradition, which revolves around the poetry of saints such as Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and Sant Namdev, commands a vast following across the state. Programmes like Abhangwari serve as platforms to bring this centuries-old tradition to contemporary audiences through live performance and new compositions.
Stakeholders and Impact
The event draws significance for followers of the Varkari devotional tradition and audiences of Marathi classical and devotional music. The presence of both a senior Union minister and a Maharashtra Cabinet minister signals cross-level political and cultural engagement with the state's literary heritage.
For Mahesh Kale, the unveiling of 'Lahanpan Dega Deva' at such a high-profile gathering extends the reach of new compositions rooted in classical Marathi devotional poetry to a wider national audience. The song's grounding in Sant Tukaram's abhangs connects it to a living tradition that continues to shape Maharashtra's cultural identity.
What's Next
Cultural observers will watch for any follow-up announcements regarding state or central support for devotional music archives, abhang festivals, or institutional recognition of the Varkari heritage. The attendance of senior political figures at events like Abhangwari often precedes or accompanies policy conversations around cultural funding and preservation of regional traditions.
As Marathi cultural programming continues to attract national-level attention, events that bridge classical devotional poetry with contemporary musical expression are likely to remain a focus for both cultural institutions and political stakeholders in Maharashtra.
Point of View
A state where the Varkari tradition commands deep grassroots reverence. The co-presence of state minister Ashish Shelar signals coordinated engagement between the Centre and the Maharashtra government on cultural programming. Such events serve a dual purpose — honouring regional heritage while reinforcing political connectivity with communities tied to Bhakti-era saint traditions. Whether this translates into concrete policy support for devotional music preservation remains the substantive question to watch.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the song 'Lahanpan Dega Deva' about?
'Lahanpan Dega Deva' is an original devotional composition by Mahesh Kale inspired by the abhang poetry of 17th-century Marathi saint Sant Tukaram, whose verses are central to the Varkari devotional tradition.
Who is Sant Tukaram?
Sant Tukaram was a 17th-century Marathi poet-saint from Maharashtra whose devotional compositions, known as abhangs, are a cornerstone of the Varkari tradition and continue to be widely sung and revered across the state.
Why did Nirmala Sitharaman attend Abhangwari in Mumbai?
Nirmala Sitharaman attended Abhangwari as a cultural engagement with Maharashtra's Bhakti-era devotional heritage, where she also unveiled a new song by Mahesh Kale inspired by Sant Tukaram's poetry.
