Sant Kanhopathra
Pranams at the lotus feet
of Sant Kanhopathra!
Chapter – 1
Sant Kanhopathra was a
Marathi poet who lived during the 15th century; she was a staunch a devotee of Lord Panduranga. She has written several verses known an Abhang sung in
praise of the glories of Lord Panduranaga. Kanhopathra's birthplace was Mangalweda, there was not much information about her father. She was born to Shyamabai
who was a courtesan by profession. The little girl Kanhopathra was introduced
to music and dance at a small age, with the hope that she might become one of the finest dancers
and earn more money in the future. She
was innocently picked up all those art forms taught to her with serenity and love for Lord
Panduranga. Kanhopathra's devotion to Lord
Vittobha was intense, her profession as a singer did not bring much respect
or security in the society, she believed that Lord Vittobha is the only
protector. Kanhopathra had to follow the same profession as a singer as she was born to the daughter of a rich
courtesan Shyamabai. She was supremely gorgeous with an attractive appearance.
The rich and respected men of Mangalweda used to throng in her place to
listen to her melodious voice. As she was
born in the family courtesan, Kanopathra had to go through the humiliation and
vulgar comments of the men used to visit her house, it often hurt her pride. As years passed, Kanhopathra thoroughly understood which are the sinful act and pious deed. Shyamabai dearly wanted to send her daughter
married off to a respectable family, so that she will be protected from the
wicked eyes of the rich men in the village.
Kanhopathra lived in a palatial house and served by a number of
maids. Shyamabai wanted her daughter to
get all those comforts throughout her life and most importantly respect from society. Those days, courtesans were
considered as mistresses of rich men,
always be in the association of high-class men of the society, they were considered as low, and have no respect in the society, men crowds in her place for physical
comforts. The children born to these
courtesans were treated as illegitimate, boys find their ways out of the
family, girls remain within the family and continue the traditions of a
courtesan. These courtesans inherit huge
wealth and extravagant lifestyles, but their personal life in the society was of little importance, they were refused to marry in a respectable family and live a life
of ordinary people. Usually, a girl
from the family of a courtesan won’t be accepted as a daughter-in-law in any of the
respected families, they were not treated with respect in society.
