Surdas
c. 1478 – c. 1583
Surdas was a 16th-century blind Hindu devotional poet and singer, celebrated for his Braj-language compositions in praise of Krishna. He is traditionally associated with the Pushtimarg sect of Vallabha Acharya and is best known for the Sur Sagar, a vast collection of devotional songs. His lyrics on Krishna's childhood remain central to North Indian devotional music.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Surdas.
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Life events
Surdas was born around 1478; traditional accounts variously name Sihi near Delhi or Runakta near Agra as his birthplace.
Hagiographic tradition holds that Surdas was born blind, a detail reflected in his poetic self-descriptions.
According to Pushtimarg tradition, Surdas met the philosopher Vallabha Acharya at Gaughat on the Yamuna and became his disciple.
Tradition records that Surdas served as a resident singer performing devotional songs before the deity Shrinathji at Govardhan hill near Mathura.
Surdas composed the poems collected as the Sur Sagar, a Braj-language corpus of songs celebrated especially for its depictions of Krishna's childhood.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSurdas is traditionally listed first among the Ashtachhap, the eight poet-musicians of the Pushtimarg devotional sect.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgA popular legend recounts that Emperor Akbar, hearing of Surdas's fame, met the poet and was moved by his singing.
Tradition holds that Surdas died around 1583 at Parasauli, a village near Govardhan associated with his devotional life.