Nagpur litterateurs got insight into the life and times of Sant Kabir at the event ‘Kabir – Then and Now’ organised by India Peace Centre and Nagpur Book Club on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sant Kabir Das at India Peace Centre situated at Civil Lines.

During the event, eminent author Purushottam Agrawal was in conversation with renowned chartered accountant, author and thinker Dr Tejinder Singh Rawal. Agrawal is the author of bestselling books like – ‘Akath Kahani Kabir Ki’ in Hindi, ‘Kabir, Kabir’ in Hindi and English and ‘Kabir: Sakhi and Sabad’ in Hindi. 

Agrawal is acclaimed for his academic work pertaining to text-centred criticism and historiography of mediaeval and early modern Hindi poetry. After years of interaction with the followers of Kabir and other Nirguna Bhaktas, he has been working on developing the concept of Deshaj Adhunikta (Vernacular Modernity). Based on the trail of primary sources in Awadhi, Braj, Rajasthani and Sanskrit, the learned author questions much of the received wisdom about the advent of modernity in South Asia. 

Sant Kabir is the one of most well-known modern saints of India. His poetry is direct and straightforward. Kabir’s poetic personality has been variously defined by the religious traditions that revere him. For Sikhs, Kabir is a prominent saint whose poetry forms a part of the Guru Granth Sahib. Muslims place him in Sufi lineages, and for Hindus he is a Vaishnavite with universalist leanings.

During the interaction, Dr Rawal asked well framed questions to Agrawal based on the life and work of Sant Kabir. The purpose of the conversation was to bring to light various facets of the life and literature of Kabir. A discussion also took place between Dr Rawal and Agrawal on the relevance of Kabir in modern times. The conversation between Dr Rawal and Mr Agrawal was infused with various dohas, ulatbaansi and other forms of poetry of Kabir. The conversation was followed by a lively discussion and a Q&A session. Later, Agrawal signed his popular books for the audience.

Before Dr Rawal and Agrawal’s interaction, Gurpreet Singh Panchhi and his group recited of shabads of Bhagat Kabir from Guru Granth Sahib. While RJ Tejal was the master of ceremony, Dr Asir Ebenezer gave the welcome speech. Dr Charu Baheti introduced Dr. Tejinder Singh Rawal, Lata Tokhi proposed a vote of thanks and Dr Ebenezer and Naznin Chimhanawala presented mementos to the guests.

The event was well attended by book readers, scholars, students, lovers of poetry, among others. NBC and IPC member Rohit Tokhi was the Project Director of the event and worked selflessly with his team to ensure a flawless execution. He was helped by Kapil Sawaikar, Dinesh Dhawane, Sonal Hikare, Nirbhay Pareek, Ashish Deshpande, Savit Walde, Pratishruti Singh Agrawal, Ribin John, Saurabh Khobragade, Sonal Bisen, Apneet Bedi and Amarjit Singh.

India Peace Centre is a non-profit organisation, established in 1988 that works primarily in the domain of interfaith dialogue and harmony, child and youth development, gender equality, water, employment, human Rights, health, energy, environment, specially-abled, minority, governance, art; culture and agriculture. Nagpur Book Club is the most active book blub in the city.