KABIR HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE LIFE AND LITERATURE: PROF. BALIRAJ THAKUR

KABIR HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE LIFE AND LITERATURE: PROF. BALIRAJ THAKUR

30-JUNE-ENG 14

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------The birth anniversary of Saint Kabir was celebrated at the auditorium under the aegis of the Bhojpur District Hindi Literature Conference. The event was presided over by Professor Baliraj Thakur, the Conference President and a Senator at Veer Kunwar Singh University. In his address, Professor Thakur described Saint Kabir as a great religious saint of the 15th century and noted that Kabir exerted a significant influence on the life and literature of the medieval period. Professor Thakur elaborated on Kabir's contributions regarding religious harmony, the promotion of brotherhood, social reform, and his profound literary work. The chief guest, Professor Durg Vijay Singh—former Vice-Chancellor of Jai Prakash Narayan University, Chapra—stated that Kabir's concept of divine experience is rooted in action (*karma*). Guest of Honour Dr. Mahesh Singh remarked that Kabir regarded the 'Word' (*Shabd*) as the ultimate reality; the Word is *Brahman* (the Supreme Reality), and it resides within every individual. Poet and critic Jitendra Kumar described Kabir as a great social reformer. Professor Diwakar Pandey, Head of the Bhojpuri Department, stated that Kabir was one of the greatest lyric poets and mystics of early Hindi literature. Conducting the proceedings, Professor Nand Ji Dubey remarked that Kabir remains relevant even today. Shivdas Singh, Dr. Satyanarayan Upadhyay, Dr. Janardan Mishra, Ramesh Singh Ramprapan, Dr. Kiran Kumari, Dr. Renu Mishra, and Madhu Mishra recited poetry on the occasion. Shashikant Tiwari proposed the vote of thanks.