Dr. Taher H. Pathan Delivers Special Lecture on Enlightenment Tradition in Marathi Literature
TNN News : Dr. Taher H. Pathan, In-Charge of the Marathi Section, Department of Modern Indian Languages, Aligarh Muslim University, delivered a special lecture online at a national conference on “Enlightenment Tradition and Marathi Literature in Maharashtra.” The conference was organized by Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Shikshan Parishad’s Shri Shahu Mandir Mahavidyalaya, Pune, Maharashtra.
Dr. Pathan explored the enduring legacy of the Bhakti movement and its seminal role in cultivating a tradition of public enlightenment through the literary expressions of saints. He asserted that the saints communicated directly with the collective consciousness of society by engaging with elements deeply embedded in the cultural fabric—devotion, faith, superstition, folk narratives, deities, songs, and rituals—using the accessible and emotionally resonant language of the people.
Dr. Pathan emphasized that these literary contributions were not merely religious expressions but vehicles of social reform and ethical introspection.
“The saints made a critical distinction between religion as a personal path and its philosophical and ethical underpinnings that connect deeply with humanity at large,” he said.
He pointed out that narratives concerning Grihasthashram (householder life), Saint Sangati (saintly companionship), and the critique of social hypocrisy formed integral parts of this literary tradition, offering a nuanced understanding of the evolution of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.
Dr. Pathan further underscored that the saints not only delineated the spiritual ethos of various Bhakti sects but also articulated a coherent code of conduct aimed at personal and collective upliftment.
He concluded by stressing that the accessible and didactic nature of saint literature—whether through kirtans, sermons, or abhangas—was never meant to impose but to enlighten. It was aimed at uplifting individuals and society by promoting inner peace, social harmony, and a compassionate worldview.
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