Early in the 17th century, Salabega was an Indian religious poet who penned Jagannatha bhajans in the Odia language. Although he was a Muslim by birth, Lord Jagannath stopped his Ratha Jatra (Rath Yatra) in Odisha so that he may get darshan due to his love to the Hindu God.His well-known Bhajan “Ahe Nila Saila” is being performed today.
Even in the devotional writings of the Bhakti era, his deep devotion is intense and passionate. Even though the poet was not allowed to enter the temple, his descriptions of the sanctuary and the inner compound are among the most thorough and precise in all of Odisha’s religious literature. One of the most well-known prayers offered up to Jagannatha is his hymn, “Ahe Nila Saila.” Many of the historical events of the period are recounted in his songs. The poet refers, with deep anguish, to the depredations of the marauders in their attacks on Puri and the repeated attempts to loot and desecrate the Srimandira. This frequently necessitated shifting the deities outside the main sanctum and the poet gives graphic details in the song Kene Gheni Jaucha Jagannathanku’.Salabega’s songs are sung in traditional tunes based on the ragas and talas of Odissi music.
Books Info
| Books name | Bhaktakabi Salabega: Jibani O Padyabali / ଭକ୍ତକବି ସାଲବେଗ: ଜୀବନ ଓ ପଦ୍ୟାବଳୀ |
| Author | Nilamani Misra |
| No Of pages | 14 |
| Publisher | New Student Store |
| Publication | 1976, 1980 |
| Printed At | NA |
| Distributor | NA |