Rukmini is a Hindu goddess and the first queen of Krishna. She is described as the chief of Krishna's wives in Dvārakā. Rukmini is revered as the avatar of Lakshmi and is venerated primarily in Warkari, and Haridasa tradition, and additionally in Sri Vaishnavism.
Sant Dnyaneshwar, also referred to as Dnyaneshwar, Dnyanadeva, Dnyandev or Mauli or Dnyaneshwar Vitthal Kulkarni (1275–1296), was a 13th-century Indian Marathi saint, poet, philosopher and yogi of the Nath and Varkari tradition. In his short life of 21 years, he authored Dnyaneshwari and Amrutanubhav. These are the oldest surviving literary works in the Marathi language, and considered to be milestones in Marathi literature. Sant Dnyaneshwar's ideas reflect the non-dualistic Advaita Vedanta philosophy and an emphasis on Yoga and bhakti towards Vithoba, an incarnation of Vishnu. His legacy inspired saint-poets such as Eknath and Tukaram, and he is one of the founders of the Varkari (Vithoba-Krishna) Bhakti movement tradition of Hinduism in Maharashtra. Dnyaneshwar undertook samadhi at Alandi in 1296 by entombing himself in an underground chamber.
Pandharpur is a popular pilgrimage town, on the banks of Chandrabhagā River, near Solapur city in Solapur District, Maharashtra, India. Its administrative area is one of eleven tehsils in the District, and it is an electoral constituency of the state legislative assembly. The Vithoba temple attracts about a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yātrā (pilgrimage) in Ashadha (June–July).
Namdev, also transliterated as Nam Dayv, Namdeo, Namadeva, was a Marathi Vaishnava saint from Narsi, Hingoli, Maharashtra, Medieval India within the Varkari tradition of Hinduism. He was as a devotee of the deity Vithoba of Pandharpur.
Mahipati was an 18th century Marathi language hagiographer who wrote biographies of prominent Hindu Vaishnava sants who had lived between the 13th and the 17th centuries in Maharashtra and other regions of India.
Warkari is a sampradaya within the bhakti spiritual tradition of Hinduism, geographically associated with the Indian state of Maharashtra. Warkaris worship Vitthal, the presiding deity of Pandharpur, regarded as a form of Vishnu. Saints and gurus of the bhakti movement associated with the Warkaris include Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Chokhamela, Eknath, and Tukaram all of whom are accorded the title of Sant. Recent research has suggested that the Varkaris were historically the followers of Krishna. Vittala is also another name for Krishna. Krishna is referenced as Vittala in most Bhakthi songs of Purandara Dasa and other Bhakti Saints.
Vithoba, also known as Vitthala, and Panduranga, is a Hindu deity predominantly worshipped in the Indian state of Maharashtra and Karnataka. He is a form of the Hindu deity Vishnu in his avatar: Krishna. Vithoba is often depicted as a dark young boy, standing arms akimbo on a brick, sometimes accompanied by his consort Rakhumai.
Pundalik or Pundarika is an Indian saint and a devotee of the Hindu deity Vithoba. Vithoba is a Vaishnava deity and a recincarnation of Vishnu and Krishna. Pundalik is thought to have brought Vithoba to Pandharpur, where Vithoba's main shrine stands today. Pundalik is also the historical founder of the Varkari sect, which is centered on the worship of Vithoba.
Abhanga is a form of devotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthal, also known as Vithoba. The word "abhang" comes from a for "non-" and bhanga for "ending" or "interrupting", in other words, a flawless, continuous process, in this case referring to a poem. By contrast, the devotional songs known as Bhajans focus on the inward journey. Abhangs are more exuberant expressions of the communitarian experience. Abhanga is considered a form of the ovi. Abhangs are sung during pilgrimage to the temples of Pandharpur, by the devotees.
Ajinkya Deo is an Indian actor in Marathi films and is the son of veteran Marathi actor Ramesh Deo and Seema Deo. He was the Prominent figure in Marathi Cinema during 80s and 90s. He appeared over 85 movies in Hindi and Marathi movies. He is the recipient of Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor. he made his debut with a role in the Superhit Marathi movie Ardhangi (1985) opposite Archana Joglekar. He emerged as a star with Sarja (1987) and went on to establish himself with his roles in the action films Shabbash sunbai (1986), Jeeva Sakha (1991) Ghayal (1993), Bajrangachi Kamal (1994) and Vishwvinayak (1994). Deo's other commercially successful films include Majh ghar majha sansar (1986), Sansar (1987), Kashyasathi premasathi (1987), Maherchi Sadi (1991), Bandhan (1991), Lapandav (1993), Vajwa re Vajwa (1993), Kunku (1994), Sarkarnama (1998), and Vasudeo balwant phadke (2007). Deo has also played supporting roles in Jeta (2010), Ringa Ringa (2010), Dubhang (2011), Sau Shashi Deodhar (2014), Raakhandaar (2014), Nati (2014), Tanhaji (2020) and Gharat Ganpati (2024).
Nivedita Saraf is an Indian film, television and theatre actress. She made her film debut as a child in the 1977 Hindi film Apnapan. and started her career in lead roles as a teen-adult in 1984, when she was cast in the Marathi film Navri Mile Navryala. She quickly established herself as one of the prominent and leading female stars of Marathi cinema, with the roles in Gharcha Bhedi (1984), Dhoom Dhadaka (1985), De Danadan (1987), Thartharat (1989) and Majha Chakula (1994) with Mahesh Kothare, Kiss Bai Kiss (1988), Gholat Ghol (1988), Pheka Pheki (1989), De Dhadak Be Dhadak (1989) with Laxmikant Berde, Balache Baap Brahmachari (1989), Tuzhi Mazhi Jamli Jodi (1990), Aamchyasarkhe Aamhich (1990), Tu Sukhakarta (1993), Dhamaal Jodi (1995) with Ashok Saraf, and Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988) with Siddharth Ray.
Marathi Cinema, also known as Marathi film industry, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Marathi language widely spoken in the state of Maharashtra. It is based in Mumbai. It is the oldest film industry of India and one of the leaders in filmmaking in the Indian film industry.
The Vithoba Temple, officially known as Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir, is a Hindu temple in Pandharpur, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the main centre of worship for Vithoba, a form of the god Vishnu or Krishna, and his consort Rakhumai. It is Classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition. The temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala Empire between 1108 and 1152 CE upon being convinced by the historical figure Pundalik. Also, there is an inscription in the temple, of a Hoysala King Vira Someshwara dating back to 1237 CE, which grants the temple a village for its upkeep. It is the most visited temple in Maharashtra. The Warkaris start marching from their homes to the temple of Pandharpur in groups called Dindi (procession) to reach on Aashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi. A dip in the holy river Chandrabhaga, on whose banks Pandharpur resides, is believed to have power to wash all sins. All the devotees are allowed to touch the feet of the idol of Vithoba. In May 2014, the temple became the first in India to invite women and people from backward classes as priests.
Bahinabai or Bahina or Bahini is a Varkari female-saint from Maharashtra, India. She is considered as a disciple of another Varkari poet-saint Tukaram. Having been born in a Brahmin family, Bahinabai was married to a widower at a young age and spent most of her childhood wandering around Maharashtra along with her family. She describes, in her autobiography Atmamanivedana, her spiritual experiences with a calf and visions of the Varkari's patron deity Vithoba and Tukaram. She reports being subjected to verbal and physical abuse by her husband, who despised her spiritual inclination but who finally accepted her chosen path of devotion (bhakti). Unlike most female-saints who never married or renounced their married life for God, Bahinabai remained married her entire life.
Kanhopatra was a 15th-century Marathi saint-poet, venerated by the Varkari sect of Hinduism.
De Danadan is a 1987 Indian Marathi-language action comedy film directed and produced by Mahesh Kothare under the banner of Jenma Films International. The film stars Laxmikant Berde, Mahesh Kothare, Nivedita Joshi, Prema Kiran, Jairam Kulkarni, Deepak Shirke and Ambar Kothare.
Adinath Kothare is an Indian actor, producer, and director, who predominantly works in Marathi films. His directorial debut film, 'Paani', won the 'National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation' at the 66th National Film Awards and also won him the 'Best Actor' award at the New York Indian Film Festival. His father, Mahesh Kothare, is a veteran film director of Marathi films.
Lai Bhaari is a 2014 Indian Marathi-language action drama film directed by Nishikant Kamat. The film marks the debut of Riteish Deshmukh in Marathi cinema, while Salman Khan and Genelia D'Souza also make cameo appearances. It was the first Marathi that was made on such a big scale, film became the highest grossing Marathi film during that time. It was declared a blockbuster at the box office.
Majha Chakula is a 1994 Indian Marathi-language drama film directed by Mahesh Kothare. It stars Adinath Kothare (debut), Nivedita Joshi, Laxmikant Berde, Mahesh Kothare and Bipin Varti. The film was remade in Hindi as Masoom by same director.
Full 3 Dhamaal is a 2008 Indian Marathi language comedy film directed by Mahesh Kothare who co wrote with Abhiram Bhadkamkar. Produced by Adinath Kothare, under the banner of Kothare & Kothare Vision. It stars Makarand Anaspure, Priya Arun, Abhiram Bhadkamkar, Kishori Godbole, Prasad Oak, Suchitra Bandekar and Dilip Prabhavalkar. The plot of the film follows three female classmates who meet one day and decide to go on a trip and enjoys their lives as before while their husbands are away.
