'Kabir, Kabir': The relevance of the poet's verses to contemporary readers

A JNU professor uses Kabir's verses as a springboard to discuss issues of immediate relevance to contemporary readers

Why did Purushottam Agrawal choose to write the book Kabir, Kabir: The Life and Work of the Early Modern Poet-Philosopher? Hasn’t enough been written about the 15th century mystic and rebel from Varanasi? Do we really need one more book about a man whose poetry can be found in school textbooks, sats­a­ngs, protest marches, literary gatherings, music festivals and documentary films?

These are valid questions but do not let them keep you from reading Agrawal’s book, which is enhanced by Devdutt Pattanaik’s charming illustrations. His writing flows out of a lifelong engagement with the poet and the poetry. Agrawal refuses