A Weaver Named Kabir

Book excerpt: This book explores the life of one of India's greatest religious and literary figures. As a symbol of secularism and religious tolerance, Kabir is the medieval counterpart of Mahatma Gandhi, as a poet whose verses continue to enjoy enormous popularity, he prefigures Tyagaraja and Tagore. Born a lower-caste muslim weaver, Kabir opposed superstition, empty ritualism and bigotry. His writings include scathing attacks against Brahmanical pride, caste prejudice and untouchability, as well as against the dogmatism and bigotry he perceived within Islam. Written by one of the greatest scholars of medieval Indian religious culture, A Weaver Named Kabir provides all that is essential to understand and appreciate Kabir.