Kabir's poetry by the Ganga

Through diverse art forms, the 9th edition of the Mahindra Kabira Festival spotlights the relevance of Kabir

- Avantika Bhuyan

(above) A 'qawwali' by Rehmat-e-Nusrat, a Kumaon-based ensemble, (right) a sarod performance by Debasmita Bhattacharya.

There is something magical about watching the sun paint the waters of the Ganga in shades of ochre in the early hours of the morning while listening to strains of music at Varanasi's Guleria Kothi.

Throughout the day, musicians, artists, philosophers and authors come together to present reflections on Kabiriyat, or Kabir's legacy of inclusivity and self-inquiry. This year, too, the ninth edition of the Mahindra Kabira Festival expands its scope of exploration of the 15th-century mystic's teachings.

To be held from 19 to 21 December along the ghats of Varanasi, the festival is all set to open with reflections by Umesh Kabir, educator and theologist at the Kabirchauramath Ashram, followed by a qawwali by Rehmat-e-Nusrat, a Kumaon-based ensemble. The ensuing days will see a vocal recital by Swati Tiwari, sitar performance by Hidayat Husain Khan, storytelling sessions such as Kabir, the Julaha: Verses from the Loom by Shivangini Yeashu Yuvraj and Isha Priya Singh, and Kabir Baani by Mahesha Ram, who draws from the Meghwal community's Bhakti traditions.