Surdas (सूरदास)

Bhaktamal | Surdas
Real Name - Surdas
Other Name - Sant Surdas
Guru - Vallabhacharya
Aradhya - Shri Krishna
Born - 1478 (Shukla Paksha Panchami in the month of Vaishakh)
Place of Birth - Gram Sihi, Faridabad, Haryana
Marital Status - Unmarried
Language - Medieval Hindi like Awadhi
Father- Ramdas Bairagi
Mother - Jamunadas
Famous for - Bhakti movements, Sant Mat, Hymns in the Guru Granth SahibSurdas was a 16th-century blind Hindu devotional poet and singer, who was known for his works written in praise of Krishna, the supreme lord. He was a Vaishnava devotee of Bhagwan Krishna, and he was also a revered poet and singer.

According to a legend, once Surdas dreamt of Lord Krishna calling him to Braj Bhumi, after which his life changed. He met his guru Shri Vallabhacharya who asked him to dedicate his life to Lord Krishna. Thereafter, Surdas stayed in Braj Bhumi for the rest of his life and composed thousands of Krishna bhajans.

The philosophy of Surdas's work is a reflection of the times. He was heavily immersed in the Bhakti movement that was sweeping India. This movement represented the grassroots spiritual empowerment of the masses. Surdas is also known specifically as the Pushti Marga of Vaishnavism.