Puttaraj Gawai
Encyclopedia
Pandit Puttaraj Gawai (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), 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 (bhajan
s) vachanas.A famous vocalist both in Hindustani and Karnataka Music. He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan
, India's
third highest civilian honour, awarded in 2008.
taluk of Haveri
district of Karnataka
. His parents were Revaiah Venkatapurmath and Siddamma. He lost his eyesight at a very early age. He lost his father when he was 10 months old. His maternal uncle Chandrashekharaiah took him under his wings and raised him.
and Sanskrit
. He re-wrote the Bhagavad Gita in Braille
script.
Pt. Dr. Puttaraj Kavi Gavaiji has been the pontiff of Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama Since 1944, after the demise of Pt. Panchaxara Gavaiji who founded this Ashrama for the upliftment of the born-blind children and orphans. Since its inception in 1942, Shree Veereshwar Punyashrama has been feeding and educating the born-blind and the orphans and the poor children free of cost, without discrimination on the basis of caste and creed. The Ashrama is solely run on the strength of voluntary donations by its devotees.
The mission of the Ashrama is selfless service to the community, especially and poorest and the blind. The disciples trained and educated in Music. and Fine Arts have become music teachers, stage-artists, radio-artists, musicians and professionals in the field of arts in thousands.
"Pt. Panchaxari Gavi Drama Theatre" organized and founded by Pt.
Puttaraj Gaviji has given innumerable performances and has been considered as one of the pioneering feats of Theatre Movement in the North Karnataka. Being solely dedicated to furthering the art of stage drama, this dramatic company has produced thousands of stage artists who have earned national and international fame.
Punyashrama has produced thousands of "Kirtanakaras" who are busy delivering Puranas and Pravachanas and Keertanas all over the state. Thus, Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama is rendering valuable services in the field of literature, music, religion, literacy and social service. It is dedicated to the cause of the welfare of the blind and down-trodden for over seventy years in its own humble way. The very secular credentials of this institution has made this Ashrama typical and a class by itself.
The Pontiff of Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama, Gadag is viewed by the devotees as a "Walking God on the Earth".
Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama of Gadag is a very popular and influential Ashrama in Karnataka. It is a charity institution solely dedicated to the upliftment of the blind, orphans and poor children. More than 1000 children reside in the Ashrama and are fed free of cost. The Ashrama runs Thirteen institutions comprising musical as well as general education.
Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama is run on its own strength without any aid from the Government. It has been contributing to the society the talented musicians, radioartists, music teachers, stage - artists and the professionals in the field of music and fine arts.
Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama is thoroughtly a secular institution and admits students from all sections of society without discrimination on the basis of caste and creed.
The pontiff, Pt. Puttaraj Kavi Gavaiji has been serving out society in different capacities and is a catalyst of social and communal harmony. He richly deserves any coveted prize and honour like "Padma Vibhushan Award".
Some of his well-known students are:
state government declared state mourning on Saturday and holiday for government offices as a mark of respect to the multi-faceted personality.
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
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
Gwalior gharana
The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khyal Gharanas. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar...
(school), 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 (bhajan
Bhajan
A Bhajan is any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form: it may be as simple as a mantra or kirtan or as sophisticated as the dhrupad or kriti with music based on classical ragas and talas. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine...
s) vachanas.A famous vocalist both in Hindustani and Karnataka Music. He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
, India's
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
third highest civilian honour, awarded in 2008.
Early life
He was born into a poor Kannada Lingayat family in Devara Hospete in HangalHangal
Hangal is a town in Haveri district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is 75 km away from Hubli-Dharwad.It is on the left bank of the Dharma river, and has ruins of some fortification on the...
taluk of Haveri
Haveri
Haveriis a town in Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Haveri District. The name Haveri is derived from the Kannada words havu and keri, which means place of snakes. Haveri is famous for its cardamom garlands. It is said that Haveri had around 1000 maths in ancient days. One of...
district of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. His parents were Revaiah Venkatapurmath and Siddamma. He lost his eyesight at a very early age. 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.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.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, HindiHindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
and Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
. He re-wrote the Bhagavad Gita in Braille
Braille
The Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
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 taught music in the ashram.Pt. Dr. Puttaraj Kavi Gavaiji has been the pontiff of Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama Since 1944, after the demise of Pt. Panchaxara Gavaiji who founded this Ashrama for the upliftment of the born-blind children and orphans. Since its inception in 1942, Shree Veereshwar Punyashrama has been feeding and educating the born-blind and the orphans and the poor children free of cost, without discrimination on the basis of caste and creed. The Ashrama is solely run on the strength of voluntary donations by its devotees.
The mission of the Ashrama is selfless service to the community, especially and poorest and the blind. The disciples trained and educated in Music. and Fine Arts have become music teachers, stage-artists, radio-artists, musicians and professionals in the field of arts in thousands.
"Pt. Panchaxari Gavi Drama Theatre" organized and founded by Pt.
Puttaraj Gaviji has given innumerable performances and has been considered as one of the pioneering feats of Theatre Movement in the North Karnataka. Being solely dedicated to furthering the art of stage drama, this dramatic company has produced thousands of stage artists who have earned national and international fame.
Punyashrama has produced thousands of "Kirtanakaras" who are busy delivering Puranas and Pravachanas and Keertanas all over the state. Thus, Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama is rendering valuable services in the field of literature, music, religion, literacy and social service. It is dedicated to the cause of the welfare of the blind and down-trodden for over seventy years in its own humble way. The very secular credentials of this institution has made this Ashrama typical and a class by itself.
The Pontiff of Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama, Gadag is viewed by the devotees as a "Walking God on the Earth".
Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama of Gadag is a very popular and influential Ashrama in Karnataka. It is a charity institution solely dedicated to the upliftment of the blind, orphans and poor children. More than 1000 children reside in the Ashrama and are fed free of cost. The Ashrama runs Thirteen institutions comprising musical as well as general education.
Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama is run on its own strength without any aid from the Government. It has been contributing to the society the talented musicians, radioartists, music teachers, stage - artists and the professionals in the field of music and fine arts.
Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama is thoroughtly a secular institution and admits students from all sections of society without discrimination on the basis of caste and creed.
The pontiff, Pt. Puttaraj Kavi Gavaiji has been serving out society in different capacities and is a catalyst of social and communal harmony. He richly deserves any coveted prize and honour like "Padma Vibhushan Award".
Students
Pt. Gawai has taught many students which presently runs to a count of more than 1000 visually impaired.Some of his well-known students are:
- Pt. Chandrashekhar Puranikmath.
- Pt.Venkatesh Kumar
Institutions
Shree Veershwara Punyashrama (Dr. Pt. Puttaraj Kavi Gaviagalu) is running various Institutions. They are…- P.P.G. Pre-Primary School (Bal Vihar) (Anganawadi School), Gadag
- P.P.G. Residential Music School for Blind, Gadag
- P.P.G. Residential Braille School, Gadag
- Puttaraj Gavigalavar Sanskrit Pathashala, Gadag
- Shri Kumareshwar Krupaposhit Sangeeta Pathashala, Gadag
- Music School, Shri Veereshwar Punyashrama, Gadag ; Branch
- P.P.G. Primary School, Gadag
- P.P.G. High School, Gadag
- P.P.G. Arts College, Gadag
- P.P.G. Music College, Gadag
- P.P.G. B.Ed. College, Gadag
- P.P.G. D.Ed. College, Gadag
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 KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state government declared state mourning on Saturday and holiday for government offices as a mark of respect to the multi-faceted personality.
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
Awards and Recognitions
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 PuranaBasava puranaThe Basava purana in Telugu was written by Palkuriki Somanatha at 13th C. Later it is translated in to kannada by Bhima kavi. This is the epic poem narrating the life story of Basaveshwara....
" in Hindi - 1962 - Kannada Kavi Kulottama by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Bangalore
- 1970 - KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
Rajyotsava PrashastiRajyotsava PrashastiThe Annual Rajyotsava Awards are conferred by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the birth of Karnataka State on November 1 celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava. The awards celebrate achievements by persons of eminence in their chosen fields... - 1975 - Honorary doctorate by Karnatak UniversityKarnatak UniversityThe Karnatak University established initially at Mumbai in 1949, the location was shifted to Dharwad in October, 1949 and Karnatak University had its official inauguration in March 1950. The campus spans 750 acres . Dr. D. C. Pavate was the vice-chancellor of the university from 1954 to 1967...
- 1998 - Nadoja Prashasti
- 1998 - Kanaka Purandara Prashasti
- 1998 - Jnaanayogi by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Gadag.
- 1998 - Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
- 1999 - Rajya Sangeeta Vidwan by Government of KarnatakaGovernment of KarnatakaThe Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
- 2000 - National Award (for the betterment of disabilities) by Govt of India
- 2001 - "Nadoja Award" from Kannada UniversityKannada UniversityKannada University, also called Hampi Kannada University or Hampi University, is a higher education university in Hampi, Karnataka, founded in the year 1991, with the aim to develop the Kannada language and to promote the literature, traditions, culture, and folklore of Karnataka.-Sections:The...
- 2002 - Basavashree award
- 2007 - Kalidas SammanKalidas sammanThe Kalidas Samman is a prestigious arts award presented annually by the government of Madhya Pradesh in India. The award is named after Kālidāsa, a renowned Classical Sanskrit writer of ancient India, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language.The Kalidas Samman...
by Government of Madhya PradeshGovernment of Madhya PradeshThe Government of Madhya Pradesh also known as the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and its 50 districts... - 2009 - N Vajrakumar Abhinandana Puraskar Samiti Award
- 2009 - Tirumakudalu ChowdiahTirumakudalu ChowdiahTirumakudalu Chowdiah was a violin maestro from India in the Carnatic classical tradition.-Early Years:Chowdiah, was born in Tirumakudalu village on the banks of the river Kaveri near Mysore....
award by Government of KarnatakaGovernment of KarnatakaThe Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers... - 2010 - Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...