Brahmans in Benares about 500 years ago were shocked when the low caste cobbler Raidas attracted huge crowds away from their rituals. His message was simple and clear, without arrogance and self-interest. Raidas still remains in contemporary times, a catalyst for all who yearn for the ‘Uplifter of the Fallen, the Master of the Meek.’ Humble was his origin, humble is human existence and the voice of Raidas speaks for all, then and now, who identify with that status.
The fame of Raidas earned him a place of honour in the prestigious Påc-vani of Rajasthan. Several performers, at the same time around 1600, brought together in one repertoire, the very popular pads and sakhis of the Bhaktas who were then on the top of the list in each performance of Nirgun Bhakti devotion: Dadu, Kabir, Namdev, Raidas and Hardas. In the Punjab too, when Guru Arjan compiled the Adi-Granth, Raidas was quoted as a precursor, as an inspirer along with Namdev, Kabir and several other Bhaktas.
On the basis of the earliest manuscripts with the songs of Raidas the authors have prepared a critical edition, with English translation. At the same time they have examined the sources giving data about the life of Raidas. Even if the hagioraphical elements common in both ‘Punjabi’ and ‘Hindi’ sources are few, one fact stands for certain: the low born Raidas in Benares was very popular and he excelled in all controversies with the local Brahmans.
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