Rang Avadhoot

Rang Avadhoot, born Pandurang Vitthalapant Valame, (21 November 1898 – 19 November 1968) was a mystic saint-poet belonging to Datta-panth (Gurucharita tradition of Dattatreya) of Hinduism. He was a social worker and independence activist before accepting asceticism. He is credited with the expansion of Datta-panth in Gujarat state of India. He has written more than 45 works, mostly concerning spirituality and devotion. Rang Avadhoot was born Pandurang Vitthalapant Valame on 21 November 1898 (Kartika Sud 9 according to Hindu calendar) in Godhra in a Marathi family of Vitthalpant Jairam Valame and Rukmini (née Kashi). His family belonged to Devle village (now in Sangameshwar taluka of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra). His father moved to Godhra as a caretaker (pujari) of Viththal temple. His father died in a plague in 1902. He had a brother named Narayan. He met his spiritual teacher (guru) Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe Swami) in 1905.