Our Story
An individual's cultural identity cannot be easily defined. Diverse and complex, this identity is founded on traditions and heritage, yet evolves to better represent a broader society that extends beyond one's land of origin. Attempting to understand this identity has, with globalization, only become more evasive. KABIRA at Berkeley serves to bridge the gap between intricate roots to the confluence of cultures around us.
Why "KABIRA"?
Kabir was a mystical poet and saint born in the cold Northern town of Kashi, India. Although the parentage of Kabir is unknown, traditional folklore claims that Kabir was abandoned by a lake as a child and later adopted by a Muslim couple who then gave him a Muslim name: Kabir. The word "kabira" also comes from the Arabic term Al-Kabir, which means ‘The Great’ and is the 37th name for God in Islam.
Although Kabir was a Muslim, he also learned about the Hindu faith. He was taught by a Hindu ascetic, Saint Ramananda. After learning the guru mantra (a tribute from the pupil thanking the teacher for the imparted knowledge), Kabir moved to the small village of Maghar where he began meditating and underwent a stage of spiritual awakening. He was overwhelmed by the multitude of cultures throughout the country and didn’t know which he should adopt as his own beliefs. This realization fueled a passion in Kabir to explore India’s diverse cultures. Unsurprisingly, an issue he struggled with was one of religion. As a product of both teachings, Kabir questioned which path was the correct one and eventually concluded the simple yet profound idea- they are both correct. Kabir rather had a single elegant goal for society: to unite the Hindus and Muslims by accepting one another’s beliefs.
One way Kabir approached his mission was through writing dohas, couplets that preached his teachings. One of his famous dohas reflected his beliefs regarding love and compassion.
“The world may die reading heavy books; it does not impart any wisdom.
Only he who reads the two and half syllables of prem (love) attains true wisdom.”
This Doha emphasizes that all the world needs is love and compassion for individuals. It is a simple message that preaches us to be more human.
Even though Kabir died in 1518, his legacy still remains today. His couplets inspired other saints in the 16th century, which led to the beginnings of the Bhakti Movement. The movement aimed for a complete devotion to one god by deviating from blind faith of god through rituals.
Although Kabir did not achieve his ultimate goal, he left an impression upon the world that change can be brought through love, compassion, and unity between cultures. Thus, naming this group in his honor seemed fitting and “KABIRA at Berkeley” was born. As part of a community that engages with different cultures, we are inspired to follow the philosophy of Kabir: a simple man who wanted the greater good in the world.
Authors: Yash Bhakta and Manooshree Patel
Although Kabir was a Muslim, he also learned about the Hindu faith. He was taught by a Hindu ascetic, Saint Ramananda. After learning the guru mantra (a tribute from the pupil thanking the teacher for the imparted knowledge), Kabir moved to the small village of Maghar where he began meditating and underwent a stage of spiritual awakening. He was overwhelmed by the multitude of cultures throughout the country and didn’t know which he should adopt as his own beliefs. This realization fueled a passion in Kabir to explore India’s diverse cultures. Unsurprisingly, an issue he struggled with was one of religion. As a product of both teachings, Kabir questioned which path was the correct one and eventually concluded the simple yet profound idea- they are both correct. Kabir rather had a single elegant goal for society: to unite the Hindus and Muslims by accepting one another’s beliefs.
One way Kabir approached his mission was through writing dohas, couplets that preached his teachings. One of his famous dohas reflected his beliefs regarding love and compassion.
“The world may die reading heavy books; it does not impart any wisdom.
Only he who reads the two and half syllables of prem (love) attains true wisdom.”
This Doha emphasizes that all the world needs is love and compassion for individuals. It is a simple message that preaches us to be more human.
Even though Kabir died in 1518, his legacy still remains today. His couplets inspired other saints in the 16th century, which led to the beginnings of the Bhakti Movement. The movement aimed for a complete devotion to one god by deviating from blind faith of god through rituals.
Although Kabir did not achieve his ultimate goal, he left an impression upon the world that change can be brought through love, compassion, and unity between cultures. Thus, naming this group in his honor seemed fitting and “KABIRA at Berkeley” was born. As part of a community that engages with different cultures, we are inspired to follow the philosophy of Kabir: a simple man who wanted the greater good in the world.
Authors: Yash Bhakta and Manooshree Patel
Arts & Culture
KABIRA seeks to impart a greater appreciation of the of myriad cultures and arts to the broader community. By visually exploring our heritage, we hope to encourage a more intense engagement with our ancestries while simultaneously introducing different cultures to the uninitiated.
Food & Wellness
"The fastest way to a person's heart is their stomach." This saying has withstood the test of time in every part of the world and will continue to do so. The kitchen is where smells, centuries of skill, and recipes passed down from mouth to ear mingle to concoct warm memories and hearty laughs. Though cuisines across the world are radically distinct and diverse, they achieve the same goal of uniting a group of people and keeping them healthy and happy. As a result, KABIRA explores the realm of food through both our history and our tongues.