The poet Raidas was born a chamar as he wrote:

"charan saran raidAs chamaiya.."

According to ParichaI of Anantdas and Satik Bhaktamal of Priyadas he was initiated by the great Ramananda. Raidas is said to have been a Guru of Mira Bai.

Here is his best known verse.

Here is his best known verse.

ab kaise chhUTe rAm, nAm raT lAgI . prabhujI tum chandan ham pAnI, jAkI a.ng a.ng bAs samAni . prabhujI tum ghan ban ham morA, jaise chitavat chand chakorA . prabhujI tum dIpak ham bAtI, jAkI joti barai din rAtI | prabhujI tum motI ham dhAgA, jaise sone milat suhAgA . prabhujI tum svAmI ham dAsA, aisI bhakti karai raidAsA .. Prabhuji Tum Chandan: Audio

How to escape? I recite the name Ram. Lord, if you are sandalwood, I am water; with the fragrance in all parts of my body. Lord, if you are a cloud, I am a peacock; looking for you like a chakora for the moon. Lord, if you are a lamp, I am the wick (bAti); with the light burning day and night. Lord, if you are a pearl, I am the thread; together like gold and suhaga. Lord, you are the master and I servant; thus is the devotion of Raidas.