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Pandit Puttaraj Gawai (Kannada: ಪುಟ್ಟರಾಜು ಗವಾಯಿ) (3 March 1914 – 17 September 2010) is an Indian musician in the Hindustani classical tradition, a scholar who has authored more than 80 books in Kannada, Sanskrit and Hindi, a music teacher and a social servant. A member of the Gwalior Gharana (school)^[1], he is renowned for his ability to play many instruments such as the veena, the tabla, mridangam, voilin etc., as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music (bhajans) vachanas. He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour, awarded in 2008.^[2]

Early life

He was born into a poor Kannada Lingayat family in Devara Hospete in Hangal taluk of Haveri district of Karnataka. His parents were Revaiah Venkatapurmath and Siddamma.^[3]. He lost his eyesight at a very early age ^[4]. He lost his father when he was 10 months old. His maternal uncle Chandrashekharaiah took him under his wings and raised him.

Musical training

File:PG Harmonium.jpg

Gawai'ji Playing Harmonium, c. 1997

Seeing Gawai's interest in music, his uncle took him to Veereshwara Punyashrama, run by Ganayogi Panchakshara Gawai. Under the guidance of Panchakshara Gawai, he mastered Hindustani and Carnatic music. He also mastered harmonium, tabla, violin and 10 other music instruments.^[5].

Devotional Music

In devotional music, Pt. Gawai is most acclaimed for his renditions of vachanas.

Theatre

Puttaraj Gawai set up a theatre company to raise funds for providing free food and shelter and education to disabled and orphans. His first play 'Sri Sivayogi Sidharama' written and directed by him brought in profit and was applauded. This was followed by many other successful productions ^[6].

Literarture

Puttaraj Gawai has authored over 80 books on spirituality, religion, history as well as biographies of many 'sharanas' of the Bhakti movement of the 12th century. He has authored books in Kannada, Hindi and Sanskrit. He re-wrote the Bhagavad Gita in Braille script.

Social Service

Pt Gawai is one of the poineers of Veereshwara Punyashrama, a music school dedicated to imparting musical knowledge to people who are differentially able-d. Disabled people, especially blind from all castes, religions and sections of the society are thought music in the ashram.

Students

Pt. Gawai has taught many students. Presently more than 1000 visually impaired^[7]. A few famous parsonalites of his students are:

Chandrashekhar Puranikmath^[8].

Death

He died 17 September 2010, at Veereshwara Punyashrama, Gadag, Karnataka.He was buried at the ashram as per the veerashaiva traditions with respectful government honours. More than 10 lakhs devotees attended his funeral ceremony in Gadag on 18 September 2010. The Karnataka state government declared state mourning on Saturday and holiday for government offices as a mark of respect to the multi-faceted personality.^[9]

Literary works

Some of his important works are listed below^[10] .

Books on Music

Sangeet Shastra Jnana
Tabla Shikshaka
GuruSudha Part 1 & 2
Taala Panchakshara

Books in Kannada

Akkamahadevi Purana
Haveri Shivabasava Purana
Ankalagi Adavi Siddeswara Purana
Huchala Guru Siddeshwara Purana
Purathanara Purana
Veerabhadreshwara Purana
Kalikeri Guru Mahima Purana
Sharana Basaveshwara Purana
Sri Ankalagi Adiveshwara Puraana
Sri Haveri Shivabasava Swami Puraana
Guleda Gadilingeshwara Puraana
Sri Veerabhadreshwara Puraana
Shivasharane Hemareddi Mallamma Puraana
Chikkenakoppada Sri Channaveera Sharanara Puraana
Sri Naalatwaada Veereshwara Puraana
Sri Annadaaneshwara Puraana
Guddaapura Daanamma Devi Puraana
Sri Chikkeshwara Puraana
Sri Kalakeri Gurumahimaa Puraana

Books in Sanskrit

Shrimat Kumara Geetha
Kumareshwara Kavya
Shri Linga Sooktha
Tatparya Sahit Sri Rudra
Panchakshara Suprabhata

Books in Hindi

Basava Purana (President Award winner)
Siddha Linga Vijaya
Sidhantha Shikamani etc.

Theatre/Dramas in Kannada

Sri Kotturu Basaveshwara
Nelloora Numbiyaaka
Shivasharana Chennayya
Bhagavaan Basaveshwara
Sri Gurudarhsana
Hanagalla Kumareshwara Mahatme
Sri Shivayogi Siddharaameshwara
Shivayogi Moligi Maarayya
Shirahatti Sri Phakeereshwara Mahatme
Shivasharane Uditadi Akkamahadevi
Sati Sukanya
Daanaveera Shirasangi Lingarajaru
Maharati Bheeshma
Magana Prema
Devara Duddu

Books in Braille

Bhagavad Geeta
Upanishad
Sri Rudra and Music

Awards and Recognitions

File:Sangeeta Natak Academy Award.JPG

Gawai'ji with President K R Narayanan, c. 1998

Pt Gawai has been bestowed with many awards for his contributions to music, literature and social service. Some important awards are listed below.

1961 - President award for "Basava Purana" in Hindi^[11]
1962 - Kannada Kavi Kulottama by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Bangalore
1970 - Karnataka Rajyotsava Prashasti
1975 - Honorary doctorate by Karnatak University
1998 - Nadoja Prashasti
1998 - Kanaka Purandara Prashasti
1998 - Jnaanayogi by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Gadag.
1998 - Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1999 - Rajya Sangeeta Vidwan by Government of Karnataka
2000 - National Award (for the betterment of disabilities) by Govt of India
2001 - "Nadoja Award" from Kannada University
2002 - Basavashree award
2007 - Kalidas Samman by Government of Madhya Pradesh
2009 - N Vajrakumar Abhinandana Puraskar Samiti Award
2009 - Tirumakudalu Chowdiah award by Government of Karnataka
2010 - Padma Bhushan

References

^ http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/14/stories/2010091456400500.htm
^ "Puttaraj Gawai dedicates Padma Bhushan to students". Hindu. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/26/stories/2010012657640300.htm" ignored (help)
^ "Puttaraja Kavi Gavai is no more". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
^ "Pandit Puttaraj Gawai The leading light of music passed away". Retrieved 18 September 2010.
^ "Torch-bearer who guided many a musician". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
^ "Pandit Puttaraj Gavai: A beacon for thousands". PTI. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
^ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97224/hindustani-music-doyen-puttaraj-gavai.html
^ http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/25/stories/2010072556120500.htm
^ http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=85914&n_tit=Bangalore%3A+Thousands+Bid+Tearful+Farewell+to+Hindustani+Music+Doyen+Gavai
^ http://sangeetyogashram.org/puttarajgawai.shtml
^ http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/26/stories/2010012657640300.htm

External links

Template:Persondata

[1] ttp://www.hindu.com/2010/09/14/stories/2010091456400500.htm

[2] "Puttaraj Gawai dedicates Padma Bhushan to students". Hindu. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/26/stories/2010012657640300.htm" ignored (help)

[3] "Puttaraja Kavi Gavai is no more". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 September 2010.

[4] "Pandit Puttaraj Gawai The leading light of music passed away". Retrieved 18 September 2010.

[5] "Torch-bearer who guided many a musician". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 September 2010.

[6] "Pandit Puttaraj Gavai: A beacon for thousands". PTI. Retrieved 18 September 2010.

[7] ttp://www.deccanherald.com/content/97224/hindustani-music-doyen-puttaraj-gavai.html

[8] ttp://www.hindu.com/2010/07/25/stories/2010072556120500.htm

[9] ttp://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=85914&n_tit=Bangalore%3A+Thousands+Bid+Tearful+Farewell+to+Hindustani+Music+Doyen+Gavai

[10] ttp://sangeetyogashram.org/puttarajgawai.shtml

[11] ttp://www.hindu.com/2010/01/26/stories/2010012657640300.htm

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 *Devara Duddu
-===Books in Brail===
+===Books in [[Braille]]===
 * Bhagavad Geeta
 * Upanishad