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Incarnations: India in 50 Lives

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Factual: History

The history of India told through the lives of 50 phenomenal people.

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Incarnations: India in 50 Lives: Incarnations: India in 50 Lives - Omnibus

Incarnations: India in 50 Lives: Incarnations: India in 50 Lives - Omnibus: Amir Khusro, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai

05/11/2016

Amir Khusro, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai

Incarnations: India in 50 Lives - Omnibus

BBC Radio 4 - Incarnations: India in 50 Lives, Incarnations: India in 50 Lives - Omnibus, Amir Khusro, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai

A look at four late-medieval poets who are still influential today.

Professor Sunil Khilnani focuses on four late-medieval poets who are still influential today.

An omnibus edition of Professor Sunil Khilnani's audio portraits of figures who have shaped Indian history over two thousand years. Today's programme focuses on four medieval poets whose influence continues to the present day. 

The first is Amir Khusro, a 13th century warrior, prisoner of war, court poet and passionate Sufi devotee. A quick-witted literary survivor whose words would endure for 700 years, he described himself as 'The Parrot of India'. We also explore the life of Kabir. Born in India's holiest city, Benares, of a low-caste weaver's family, Kabir was a provoker whose poems and actions challenged religious orthodoxies.

Another poet established one of the great world religions: Guru Nanak, the 15th century founder of Sikhism. At its core, his religion was based on Discplined Worldliness - living and witnessing your faith within the world, rather than retreating from it. 

Sunil Khinani's last subject is Mirabai, a Rajput princess who became a wandering religious singer devoted to the Hindu god Krishna. She composed many songs or bhajans which have been passed down through the centuries by oral tradition. Today some see Mirabai as a potent symbol of feminism, others as a passionate religious inspiration.


Producer: Jeremy Grange.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The history of India told through the lives of 50 remarkable individuals

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Incarnations: India in 50 Lives

Incarnations: India in 50 Lives - Omnibus

Amir Khusro, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai

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