In 1577, Sant Tukaram was born to Bolhoba and Kanakai, a couple belonging to the lower Sudra class in Dehu, which is a small village in Maharashtra. His real name was Tukaram Vhilhoba Aambe. Tukaram also had two brothers. Due to his saintly deeds, he was assigned the epithet "sant". In southern India, he is known as Bhakta Tukaram.

Tukaram got married twice. His first wife’s name was Rakhumabai. In 1602, his first wife passed away due to starvation during a famine. His second wife was Jijabai or Avali. She was much younger than his first wife and had less patience with his devotion and for God and nagged him continuously. Sant Tukaram had three sons with his second wife Jijabai. They were named Mahādev, Vithobā and Nārāyan.

Sant Tukaram, who is considered to be an important saint of Bhakti Movement, had the courage to challenge the then set up of the Hindu society. He understood Hindu philosophy well and created many devotional songs. He sang in praise of God Vitthal, one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu. The act of pursuing God made the Brahmins of his village Dehu unhappy because he did not belong to their sect. To trouble him, they challenged his interpretation of the ancient Vedas and Puranas. They also tried to destruct Abhang songs written by him.

Residence of Tukaram

Tukaram was born in a village called Dehu which is about 20 kms from Pune. The river Indrayani flows through this village. Tukaram was a family man and was running a provision store which was his hereditary business.

Works and Preaching of Tukaram

Tukaram was very religious, he would always chant the name of Vitthal and his heart was always filled with love for Lord Vitthal. He sang all 18 adhyayams (Chapters) of Bhagavad Gita as abhangs. Abhangs penned by Sant Tukaram discussed various themes such as humility, equality and concern for ecology. He also wrote many devotional verses.

According to Sant Tukaram, there is no reference of any caste hierarchy mentioned in the Vedas. This opinion became very popular. Sant Tukaram would always praise the Lord in form of songs with a tambura in his hand. He always led a life full of love and devotion for Lord Vitthal in his heart.

Through his kirtans, he would teach people about the virtues of pity, forgiveness and peace of mind. Tukaram sang abhangs everyday and a lot of Sadhus came to listen and participate in this. Whoever came for the kirtans went back with heart filled with love and affection towards Vithoba. Everyone in Dehu held him in high esteem and he was known to people far and wide as a great devotee of Vitthal.

Tukaram is said to be the greatest poet in the Marathi language. His ability to transform the external world into spiritual analogue is remarkable. Tukaram’s stature in Marathi literature is comparable to that of Shakespeare in English. His poetry reflected simple but wonderful language which could be understood by everyone. Marathi poetry as a genre is incomplete without Tukaram.