The two-day workshop on Kabir, on September 21 & 22, was organized by Rajeev Kumar, a PhD candidate and lecturer at Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, as part of his doctoral research. The workshop aimed to bridge the gap between academicians, local scholars, gurus, practitioners of Kabir’s teachings, and the common people of Madhubani, Bihar. This experimental setup was designed to observe the impacts on both groups and explore how diverse communities interpret and understand Kabir in the specific social and cultural context of contemporary Bihar.

The workshop addressed several critical research questions:

• How do Kabir’s teachings, through poetry, music, or stories, shape social dynamics in modern India, particularly in Bihar, and how do they contribute to communal harmony and influence the socio-political landscape?
• How is Kabir remembered and invoked today, and what motivates people to continue his legacy?
• Who are Kabir’s followers in Bihar, and how do different communities weave various narratives about Kabir and practice his teachings?
• Do oral and academic literary traditions compete with or complement each other?
• How does Kabir’s performative poetry promote social cohesion and inclusion, providing insights into the contemporary applications of performative arts for fostering dialogue and building bridges across diverse communities?
• What if Kabir had never existed? What would have been the social, political, and historical status of people in India, especially those who consider Kabir their voice?
• Does Kabir promote social cohesion among various communities, and does he hold a position in world history, literature, and civilization?
• Can Kabir’s teachings help uncover India’s lost heritage, thereby assisting Indian society and the world?

The event was hosted by Sant Mahatama Dhyananad Dhyani at the Sahaj Yog Satsang Ashram and saw significant participation from local villagers and academic panelists, making it a resounding success. The villagers found the discussions enlightening, reflecting the workshop’s ability to reach and impact a broad audience.

Professor Manindar Nath Thakur along with all the academicians expressed his satisfaction with the level of engagement and the quality of discussions that took place. Notable was the participation of local lecturers from various colleges of Mithila University, highlighting the academic interest in Kabir’s philosophy.

One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the enhancement of my PhD research and the establishment of a robust network that includes both academics and local practitioners of Kabir’s teachings. A special mention goes to Professor Purnendu Ranjan, a distinguished scholar on Kabirpanthis, whose insights and published works added substantial depth to the discussions. Professor Raziudin Aquil’s expertise in Sufism, Medieval History, and Vernacular History, marking him as one of the renowned historians of our time, contributed significantly to the workshop. His detailed insights from historical, cultural, and religious perspectives added depth to the discussion.

Thanks to Professor Rakesh Thakur for tirelessly moderating the event on the second day. Journalist cum academician Dr. Ajit Kumar Jha, former Professor of Delhi University Dr. Pradeep Kant Chaudhary, and Prof Izhar ul Haq Wani from Kashmir also contributed as panelists, bringing new insights to the discussion, making it transregional and transnational, which were noteworthy.

Funding and support for this important academic initiative were generously provided by the Umran Academic Research Association, The Raza Foundation, The Sahaj Yog Satsang Ashram, The Foundation for Creative Social Research, and Webultrasolution. I extend my heartfelt thanks to these organizations for their invaluable support.

A comprehensive report detailing the discussions, outcomes, and financial expenditures of the workshop will be provided within the next two weeks. Plans are also underway to compile a book based on the workshop’s findings, which will be published in both Hindi and English.

For a visual glimpse into the workshop, please visit the following link to watch the video from the second day: Workshop Video.