Puttaraja Gavai (3 March 1914 – 17 September 2010) an Indian
Classical maestro known for his multi talents and divinity. Gavai was blind
from his child hood and was a favourite disciple of Gaanayogi Pandit Panchaxara
Gavai. By his spiritual gestures and his selfless contributions to the society,
he is referred as walking god (£ÀqÉzÁqÀĪÀ zÉêÀgÀÄ). His multi talents were the
matter of discussion among the common people and always amazed by the fact;
that for a common man gaining mastery in one instrument takes a life time, but
for him it was a divine gift that he was master in many instruments like Saarangi,
Violin, Veena, Sitar, Tabla etc., he used to play these instruments with ease. He
has mesmerized the world by writing more than 80 books in Kannada, Hindi and
Sanskrit. His works were recognised by the central and state governments and
awarded.
Veereshwara Punyashrama:
By the guidance of His holiness Sri Haanagalla Guru
Kumara Shivayogi, Pandit Panchaxara Gavai established a music school called “
Veereshwara Punyashrama” at Gadag in 1942 to carry the social work of
empowering the blind, handicapped and orphan children through music, drama,
arts and literature. There were many disciples
who got trained in Indian Classical Vocal and recognised across the world. Few to name are Pt Puttaraja Gavai, Basavaraj
Rajguru, Arjun-Sa-Nakod, Sri Siddaram Jambaladinni etc. However Puttaraja Gavai
was his master’s favourite disciple. Puttaraja Gavai was chosen to head the
institute after the demise of Gaanayogi Panchakhsara Gavai. The rich legacy of
this special school was not only well retained but flourished in his tenure. He
has trained thousands of Blind, Handicapped and orphan children to become
vocalists, dramatists, writers and composers. His master’s legacy is still
continued by his senior most disciples like Pt. Rajguru Guruswami Kalikeri, Pt
Venkatesh Kumar, Sri Somanath Maradur, Sri Kumar Das, etc. Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Dr. Rajkumar was a devotee and admirer of guruji.
Contributions to the Society:
Being himself blind, he has never idle thinking
helpless, he has not only achieved the impossible but show the path to thousands
of others like him. The institute was the only one of its kind in the world. In
1940’s itself the institution has dreamt and it realised the same of empowering
the blind, handicapped and orphan children instead of just giving them the
shelter. This was noble and was pure kind of service to the society. However,
the world or the Indian government failed to give well deserved recognition.
However, noble thoughts of the institute are still continued by his disciples.
Other Services to the Society:
Shree Veershwara Punyashrama is running various
Institutions, further continuing his master’s social service. Some of the
institutions 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
Pt
Puttaraja Gavai’s Literary works
Some of his important works are..
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 (Winner of President Award)
- Siddha Linga Vijaya
- Sidhantha Shikamani etc.
Theatre
and drama 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
Dr.
Puttaraja Gavai was bestowed with many awards for his contributions to music,
literature and social service.
1961 - President award for "Basava Purana" in
Hindi
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
2007 - "Siddhashri Award" by Mugalkhod Jidaga
Math
2009 - N Vajrakumar Abhinandana Puraskar Samiti Award
2009 - Tirumakudalu Chowdiah award by Government of
Karnataka
2010 - Padma Bhushan
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