The spiritual community has been left in mourning following the passing of eminent Kirtanist, Baba Maharaj Satarkar. On 26th October 2023, this adored figure of faith breathed his last at age 88 in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India, leaving a vast legion of devotees, followers and enthusiasts in a state of deep sorrow. The cause of his death is yet to be publicly disclosed, but it is known that he had been grappling with health problems for a while.
Baba Maharaj Satarkar was born as Neelkanth Dnyaneshwar Gore in Satara and had his formal education up to the 10th standard. Throughout his life, he was deeply engaged in performing kirtans, particularly focusing on Vitthala’s kirtan and the Dnyaneshwari. His spiritual wisdom was not confined to India, but reached international audiences, drawing thousands of people to his kirtans.
However, in recent times, his deteriorating health had forced him to relinquish his spiritual duties, with his grandson taking over the lineage of performing kirtans. The revered Kirtankar’s passing has sparked a wave of tributes on social media, with many expressing their sorrow and paying their respects to the veteran spiritual leader.
Baba Maharaj Satarkar was born on 5th February 1936 into a family with deep ties to the Varakari Sampradaya Harikeertan tradition. This tradition, upheld by his family for 135 years, involved devotional singing and storytelling based on the teachings of esteemed saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Namdev, and Eknath.
Baba Maharaj Satarkar’s devotion to the Varkari Sampradaya was unwavering and his commitment to the tradition was deeply inspired by his family. His father was an accomplished mridang player and his mother, a fond lover of saint literature. At the tender age of eight, he embarked on his spiritual journey by learning kirtan from his cousins.
His quest for knowledge didn’t stop there. He ventured into classical music, learning from esteemed musicians like Purohitbuwa and Latafat Hussain Khan Saheb. This diverse approach to his spiritual and musical education lent a unique depth to his kirtans, making them deeply resonant to his followers.
In the wake of Baba Maharaj Satarkar’s death, the kirtan and spiritual teaching community has lost a prominent figure. Although the specifics of his death remain unknown, his legacy continues to thrive through the enduring wisdom he imparted to his followers and the musical tradition he steadfastly upheld. His contributions to the Varkari Sampradaya and devotional singing in Maharashtra will be eternally treasured and commemorated.
