The Abhang 2- Sawale sundara, The Dark, Beautiful One
Image source here.
The deity addressed in most abhangs is the dark and beautiful the “sawale sundara” Lord Vithoba. He is also known as Vitthala and Panduranga. There is some dispute about his origins, but today he mostly regarded as a form of Vishnu, and has been regarded as such for a long time. He is also associated with Shiva, the Buddha, and a Jain ascetic.
The main shrine dedicated to Vithoba is found in the historic city of Pandharpur.
Sawale Sundara-Abhang (Tukaram) Bhimsen Joshi:
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Another version by the Carnatic singer Aruna Sairam:
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We used to have a very black labrador. Or, as I always say, he had us. Completely in his spell. A source of never-ending unconditional love. His inky darkness wonderful to contemplate, but difficult to photograph. He liked nothing better than to receive a tummy rub/tickle. This was sometimes administered via our feet and toes, as he had a habit of coming and squeezing himself under our legs while we sat. One day he was being my father’s footrest, when the lady who worked in our house came and told my father not to sit with his feet on Shadow. He is a form of Vithoba, come to bless you, she said.
I am afraid I cant appreciate that version by Aruna Sairam . It is like Amir Khan trying to sing one. The blood has to be made to race . Look what OS Sundar can do.That is a closer to a Carnatic interpretation
Here is the one , nearest to what happens inside the Vittal Mandir.
http://www.esnips.com/doc/ec75c8e0-fda6-4111-92ab-a01fb89b2113/05-Dhanya-Dhanya
Cool
I knew/know you wouldn’t like it
It’s grown on me.
Thanks for the link.
All these stories make me want to go to Pandharpur. And loved the story of your dark beautiful pet.
Maybe you shd go once in non-pilgrimage season as it can get very crowded