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Puttaraj Gawai

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Puttaraj Gawai

Pandit Puttaraj Gawai (Kannada: ಪುಟ್ಟರಾಜ 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, violin 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

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 theater company which would not only to help in raising funds to provide free food, shelter,education to disabled orphans but also to contribute to the theater culture.Thus,”SriGuru Kumareshwara Krupa Poshita Natya Company “was established. 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].

Literature

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 pioneers 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:

  1. Chandrashekhar Puranikmath[8].

Death

Antim Yatra of Gawai'ji In Gadag, c. 18 Sep 2010

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.

References

  1. ^ "Puttaraj Gavai in critical condition, taken back to hometown Gadag". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 September 2010.
  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". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  4. ^ "Pandit Puttaraj Gawai The leading light of music passed away". Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  5. ^ Kattimani, Basavaraj F (18 September 2010). "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. ^ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/97224/hindustani-music-doyen-puttaraj-gavai.html
  8. ^ "Puranikmath dead". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 25 July 2010.
  9. ^ http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=85914&n_tit=Bangalore%3A+Thousands+Bid+Tearful+Farewell+to+Hindustani+Music+Doyen+Gavai
  10. ^ http://sangeetyogashram.org/puttarajgawai.shtml
  11. ^ "Puttaraj Gawai dedicates Padma Bhushan to students". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 26 January 2010.

External links

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