The festival often sees participation by an impromptu audience

Every January, 30-odd spirited Mumbaikars from diverse backgrounds and locations take time out of their legal practices, corporate jobs, NGOs and scholarly pursuits to volunteer for The Kabir Festival that celebrates the message of universal brotherhood and love through the verses of the 15th-century poet-saint, and other mystics and visionaries of India. Entering its eighth edition, the festival is inspired by the Kabir Project, which was founded by documentary filmmaker Shabnam Virmani who, in the aftermath of the Gujarat riots, travelled with folk singers who have sung Kabir's verses for generations.