music but also because they are musically constructed in a manner similar to dhrupads. He is also said to have written tirvats, ragamalas and other forms. There are around 128 compositions attributed to him, of which eighteen are philosophical (siddhanta pada) and a hundred and ten devotional (keli mala). He describes Radha and Krishna's sporting: Two beams of light are playing - Unique their dance and music. Ragas and raginis of heavenly beauty are born, The two have sunk themselves in the ocean of raga. Swami Haridas belonged to the tradition of madhura bhakti - Adoration expressed in conjugal imagery. Haridas's theology embraces not merely the Love of Krishna and Radha but also the witnessing of the Love, a state of mind called rasa. In an ecstatic condition of trance he sings of the play of Krishna among the bowers of Vrindavan. More than Krishna, Radha was the central personality of all his poems. He says: Who knows of the quality of things more than Radha? If anyone has any knowledge at all, it is by her grace. None knows the beauty of raga, tala and dance as Radha does. Popular culture An annual classical music festival, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan is held every year in Mumbai since 1952. See also Music of India Hindustani classical music Achintya Bheda Abheda Nidhivan, Vrindavan References External links Bankey Bhihari Temple, Vrindavan Bankey Bhihari Temple Website Postage stamp on Swami Haridas People from Mathura People from Aligarh Performers of Hindu music Indian Hindus Indian male classical musicians Bhakti movement 1478 births 1573 deaths 16th-century Indian musicians