Sant Banka (Marathi: संत बंका) also known as Wanka[1] was a poet in 14th century Maharashtra, India.[2] He was husband to Nirmala and brother-in-law to Chokhamela. Born in Mehenpuri, Banka was a member of the Mahar caste.[3] In most of his abhangs he praised Vitthal in happiness and peace. Infrequently, he described his lower caste birth.[4]
As a bhakti poet saint from the Mahar caste, Banka raised a voice against untouchability which is very relevant to current Dalit literature.[2]
References
- ↑ Zelliot, Eleanor (1976). "A Historical Introduction to the Warakari Movement". In Harrison, Tom (ed.). Living Through the Blitz. Cambridge University Press. p. 40. ISBN 9780002160094.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ghokale-Turner, Jayashree B. (1981). "Bakhti or Vidroha: Continuity and Change in Dalit Sahitya". In Lele, Jayant (ed.). Tradition and modernity in Bhakti movements. Leiden: Brill. p. 29. ISBN 9004063706.
- ↑ Zelliot, Eleanor (2000). "Sant Sahitya and its Effect on Dalit Movements". In Kosambi, Meera (ed.). Intersections: Socio-cultural Trends in Maharashtra. New Delhi: Orient Longman. p. 190. ISBN 8125018786.
- ↑ Zelliot, Eleanor (2008). "Chokhamela, His Family and the Marathi Tradition". In Aktor, Mikael; Deliège, Robert (eds.). From Stigma to Assertion: Untouchability, Identity and Politics in Early and Modern India. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press. pp. 76–86. ISBN 978-8763507752.