Mysuru: Ganabharathi, in collaboration with India Foundation for the Arts (IFA), is presenting a performance of Vithu Mazha — Songs of the Women Warikari Poets sung by Shruthi Vishwanath with Hitesh Dhutia on guitar and Vinayak Netke on tabla at 6 pm on Mar.2 at Ramabai Govinda Rao Auditorium, Ganabharathi premises, Adichunchanagiri Road, Mysuru.

Shruthi musically interprets and brings into performance the abhangs of women warikari saints. Abhangs are spiritual poems usually dedicated to the deity Vithoba or Vittala of Pandharpur and sung in the regions of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. They are integral to the warikari pilgrimage and the warikari movement, which began in the late 13th century with the saint poet Gnyaneshwar, and, continues to the present day.

For this project, Shruthi studied and composed music to the works of women warikari poets, setting music to over 20 abhangs, which have over time been lost from the aural traditions of the practice. The poems range in tone from absolute devotion to rebellion and have been musically interpreted keeping in mind their meaning.

Shruthi Vishwanath is a musician, educator, and composer based in Pune. With a background in Karnatak and Hindustani music, she is also trained in abhangs and works on individual and collaborative music projects.