WELCOME TO #TANKATUESDAY!

The form is:
Abhanga
Here’s a quick review of form:
We write Abhanga in any number of 4-line stanzas with 6-6-6-4 syllables each. L2 and L3 rhyme. The end rhyme scheme is abbc. It is customary to title your poetry.
I illustrated one stanza below:
6 a 6 b 6 b 4 c Here is a double abhanga I wrote a couple of weeks ago. I highlighted the words that should rhyme: "The Woman in Red" deep inside her study the young lady in red weaves magic in her head to pursue truth the crystal ball foretells the babe she carries low conceived by her old beau her spouse will scorn © Colleen M. Chesebro
Let’s learn about the Abhanga form.
Abhanga, “the completion” is a stanzaic form commonly used for devotional poetic composition although it has also been used for cynicism, satire and reflective moods. It was popular from the 13th thru 17th centuries Marathi Region of India and is described as complex and classic.
The abhanga is a Marathi form, Marathi being one of the major languages of India. It is the official language of Maharashtra, and is also spoken in several neighbouring states in the west of the country, including Goa and Karnataka.
poetscollective.org
The abhang is an ‘uninterrupted’ devotional song.
“Abhanga (Marathi: अभंग) is a form of devotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthal, also known as Vithoba. The word “abhang” comes from a for “non-” and bhang for “ending” or “interrupting”, in other words, a flawless, continuous process, in this case referring to a poem. By contrast, the devotional songs known as Bhajans focus on the inward journey. Abhangs are more exuberant expressions of the communitarian experience. Abhanga is considered a form of the ovi. Abhangs are sung during pilgrimage to the temples of Pandharpur, by the devotees.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhang
Here are some sites that will help you write your poetry and count syllables:
Not sure how to write syllabic poetry?
READ THIS FIRST: How to craft Syllabic Poetry
Word Craft: Prose & Poetry – The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry
THE RULES
- Write your Abhanga, or a series of Abhanga poetry. Pay close attention to the rules on the cheat sheet. Remember, no “ing” ending words to satisfy the word count. I acknowledge there will be times when there isn’t a better choice of word.
- Post it on your blog. Include a link back to the challenge in your post. (copy the URL: https:// address of this post into your post).
- Copy your link into the Mr. Linky below the RED arrow. You might have to delete your previous entry.
- Please click the small checkbox on Mr. Linky about data protection.
- Read and comment on some of your fellow poets’ work.
The screenshot below shows what Mr. Linky looks like inside. Add your name, and the URL of your post. Click the box about the privacy policy (It’s blue). As everyone adds their links to Mr. Linky, you can view the other submissions by clicking on the Mr. Linky link on the challenge post. All the links will show in the order of posting.


Follow the schedule listed below:


Good research on the subject! It was Saint Tukaram who popularized this form of poetry. There are social media groups which focus on learning and singing these songs.
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Good morning Colleen, Good morning everyone may today be blessed for all of us.
Here’s my Abhanga.
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Hugs to you, dear Willow. ❤️
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Thank you Colleen 💜
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You’re so welcome. ❤
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Hugs 💜💜
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I loved the music and the rhythm of the poetic songs. I worried that I didn’t do the form justice. 🙏🏻 Thank you, Reena. This is a lovely form to write. ❤️
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I enjoyed learning the background of Abhanga poems. I’ve got a busy week ahead of me, but I want to try my hand at this form. Hopefully, I can get it done before Sunday. Thanks for the challenge, Colleen! 🙂
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It’s an easy form to write. The little bit of end rhyme adds some extra zing! ❤️
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I have a question, Colleen! In your example above, there are no capital letters or punctuation. Is that part of the Abhanga style or just your preference?
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Syllabic poetry is not capitalized at the beginning of lines. That is a hold over from free style poetry. ❤️
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Thanks for the clarification. I usually write free verse, so it’s ingrained in me. I will keep that in mind as I write. 🙂
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Yes, especially in Japanese poetry the capitalization rule in important. Many of the other forms are made up and you can probably get away with it. I know cinquain are not capitalized either. It is a nice distinction from free verse. ❤
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A new form for me to try. Thanks, Colleen 💕🙂
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You’re so welcome. Have fun. The end rhyme adds something special to the verse.
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I enjoyed learning about yet another form of poetry unknown to me!
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The Abhanga is a lovely form and another of my favorites. ❤️
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Perfect form for Draw a Bird Day. (K)
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I like the sound of that! 😀
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Hi Colleen! OK, I gave this one a try. The form is a little different, and then to get at least a little closer to an appropriate subject. Hope this works; https://trentsworld.blog/2022/02/08/between-the-worlds-abhanga/
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Glad you gave it a try. I’ll be over soon.
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This is a new form of poetry for me and I look forward to seeing the submissions.
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I love the end rhyme scheme in this form. Annette Rochelle Aben writes this form like a pro. ❤
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https://elibritain.com/2022/02/08/tankatuesday-abhanga-opinion/
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Greetings everyone. Another interesting challenge – what a fascinating choice Colleen. I did a “test” run with it and then just couldn’t let it go – so it’s my cheeky entry for this week … less “spiritual/devotional” more “urbane, mundane” – perhaps satirical?! But sometimes you just gotta laugh at things, in good spirit. I’m looking forward to reading later in the week, to see how everyone’s used this form. Cheers and glad tidings for happy poeming. 🙂
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Pat you are so fun! I love the Abhanga form. I think that bit of end rhyme really makes the form sing. ❤️
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it’s definitely whimsical – or has the option of being so … sometimes a little rhyming just makes the day 😉
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I’ve never been a rhymer, but it’s growing on me.
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LOL – it’s an art, as much as a science – too much of anything can end being/sounding cliché or kitsch – but used wisely? a lovely enhancement …. and practice makes perfect 😉
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So true. Practice helps. 😂❤️
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What an exciting form and I’ve noticed a couple of my participants have used the Abhanga form. Hopefully, I’ll have time to give it a try! ❤️
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Thanks so much, Franci. I enjoy writing Abhanga. The end rhyme scheme is perfect! ❤️
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You’re welcome, Colleen! ❤️
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I like this form, sis. Well done. ❤
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Thanks, Sis. ❤️
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❤
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Colleen,
Your link above for -sodacoffee.com/syllables- goes to an invalid site.
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Thanks Ken. I wonder if they changed the site again. I’ll check it out. ❤️
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Your link goes to -writerlywords.com/syllables- – a dead link.
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OK… I’ve got that link fixed. I have fought WP all week. Thanks for the headsup! 😀
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Hello, Colleen and everyone. So… this was a good challenge. It sent me places until finally, I had to come here and post it: a repurposed poem that was fun to fit into the form of the abhanga. I’m pleased with the way it ended. Thanks for having me. I will be reading when I wake up. Thanks for doing this. Stay warm. Sending you the sunshine that landed in my yard today. Stay warm. There’s enough for everyone. xoxo GN
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I’ll be over soon to read, Selma. Thanks so much for the sunshine. I love it. ☀️❤️
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A double: “To the Egress”
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Here’s mine: http://ruthscribbles.com/2022/02/12/my-take-tankatuesday-2-8-22-poetry-challenge-no-260-specificform-abhanga/
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Thanks Ruth. It’s Ron’s birthday and I’m behind. I’ll read everyone’s poetry tomorrow. ❤️
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🥰🎉🎂
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I am new to this form and I had fun experimenting with it. Thank you, Colleen for this challenge. ❤
Here’s mine:
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I’m so glad you enjoyed, Sri. I think that bit of rhyme is just perfect. ❤
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Hi Colleen,
Abhanga are so much fun to write!
Thanks for the challenge 🙂
Pingback @https://indishe.wordpress.com/2022/02/13/tankatuesday-2-8-22-poetry-challenge-no-260-specificform-abhanga/
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Yay! I’m so happy you love this form. It’s that bit of rhyme that makes it fun. ❤️
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It is interesting to juggle around with the words
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I think it’s fun too! LOL! ❤
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😀
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