Tukaram (1608–1645) was a significant varkari sant and poet in the bhakti movement, known for his devotion to Lord Vitthala and for opposing caste hierarchy and social injustice in Hindu society. Born in Dehu, he faced personal tragedies, including the death of his first wife during a famine, yet he played a crucial role in the formation of Hindavi Swaraj alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja. Tukaram's poetic contributions, notably in the form of 'abhanga', emphasized love, affection, and a rejection of discrimination.

4. Tukaram(1608–1645) was a prominent
Varkari Sant and spiritual poet of the
Bhakti. He is often referred to with an
honorific, Sant Tukaram.

5. Tukaram was one
of the greatest
poet saints ever
born in India.
Tukaram was a
devotee of Vitthala
or Vithoba, a form
of God Vishnu.

6. He was born in 1577 AD in Dehu, near the Pune city
and lived most of his life there at Dehu. He was born to a
trader father.

7. He was married twice. His first wife Rakhumabai
died of starvation, during a period of severe
famine in 1602.

9. Tukaram was the successor to Dnyaneshwar who
denied caste hierarchy in Hindu religion and
attacked rituals present in Hinduism.

10. Tukaram has
attacked almost every
form of myth existing
in Hindu society
during his time. He
opposed some
systems of scociety
which disadvantaged
some sections of
society

11. SANT TUAKARM also played a vital role in the
formation of the Hindavi Swaraj (laid by Chattrapati
Shivaji Maharaja). He and the other saints of
Maharashtra… sowed seeds of affection, love amongst
people and nature, casting out discrimination in the
minds of people and also helped by creating a feeling
about the injustice of the Mughals.
Sant Tukaram blessing Shivaji

12. Tukaram wrote in a special verse form called the
‘ABHANGA’. As was the tradition, he also added his
signature, Tuka Mhane or "Tuka Says", at the end of
each verse.
An ancient inscription of an ‘Abhang’ by Tukaram