Acclaimed vocalist Rahul Deshpande is set to take Maharashtra’s centuries-old Bhakti tradition to audiences across India with Abhangawari 2026, a 13-city musical journey celebrating the timeless works of Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Namdev and Sant Eknath.
For more than seven centuries, the teachings of Maharashtra’s saints have inspired generations through poetry, devotion and music. Through Abhangawari, these sacred verses continue their journey beyond the state’s borders, reaching diverse audiences across languages, regions and generations.
The tour will begin on June 20 in Pimpri-Chinchwad before travelling to Indore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Amravati, Nagpur, Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Ahmedabad and Vadodara. Each concert will present a carefully curated musical experience that brings together devotion, philosophy and the rich cultural legacy of Maharashtra.
Abhangawari has evolved into a significant cultural movement that introduces contemporary audiences to the profound wisdom of the Bhakti saints. While rooted in Maharashtra’s spiritual heritage, the themes of faith, compassion, humility, equality and human connection transcend geography and continue to resonate with listeners across India.
Over the years, Rahul Deshpande has played an important role in taking Marathi music and literature to wider audiences. Through Abhangawari, he continues that mission by presenting saint poetry in a manner that remains authentic to its roots while connecting with modern listeners.
The 2026 edition includes performances at Ram Krishna More Theatre in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Labh Mandapam in Indore, Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad, Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bengaluru, Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj Sabhagruh in Amravati, Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Nagpur, Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai, Mahakavi Kalidas Auditorium in Nashik, Pandit Farms in Pune, Tagore Hall in Ahmedabad and Sir Sayajirao Nagargruh in Vadodara.
As Abhangawari travels from city to city, it carries with it not merely music, but a living tradition that has shaped Maharashtra’s cultural identity for centuries. The tour stands as a celebration of India’s shared spiritual heritage and a reminder that the messages of the saints remain as relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago.
