GAANAYOGI SHIVAYOGI DR.PANDIT PUTTARAJA GAVAI

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

CONGRESS BLUNDERS IN KARNATAKA-Current political analysis

The current scenario in Karnataka political environment is completely focused on 2018 assembly elections. Major parties competing head-on are Congress and BJP. Janata Dal may be a spoiler for Congress if perform well, which is slightly expected because of the caste game played by Congress right-now in Karnataka. If the caste game back fires Congress then its easy win for BJP.

Congress Strategies:

Congress has few notable achievements in Karnataka and those are over shadowed by the controversies like  D K Ravi  death, Police officer Bande and Ganapathi death, D K Shivakumar IT raid, etc. And also the too much Muslim appeasement politics. Congress is forgetting one thing that Muslim votes are no longer exclusively for Congress. BJP has already penetrated in the vote bank by Triple Talak discussion.  The question is still on people’s mind, why Congress is hell-bent of Muslim appeasement politics, despite knowing that the strategy is costing them Hindu votes.  After analyzing this Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to change his strategy for the sake of elections.

The Congress blunders in the election time:

1. Hindi Name Board in Metro Stations, however people given a least attention to it.

2. New Kannada Flag: When every one already accepted the Yellow –Red flag, people started discussing why the change?

3. Division in Veershaiva Lingayat religion eyeing on the part of the vote bank which is decisive in Karnataka. They did it in 2014-15 by creating “Panchamasali Peetha” and won the part of the votes of Panchamasali caste. Of course Yeddyurappa’s absence costed BJP heavily.  Now Lingayat s a separate religion moving out from what believed to be part of Veershaiva. This also back fired and people are rejecting the idea of dividing society on caste basis.

Its advantage BJP in Karnataka:

Amith Shah strategy may work in Karnataka under the current circumstances. BJP again shown that it is right wing party in Karnataka and firmly stood with the Hindu ideology. Fielding Yeddyurappa an only mass leader in BJP and from a strong Veershaiva-Lingayat community. Here BJP again stood with the idea of all are one and opposed further divide in the society.

BJP tactfully handled the Kannada sentiments and Kannada flag. Here the BJP though seemed like sulking with these two major issues. But, handled it very well.

BJP is tactfully playing it on the corruption, political killings, death of Government officials, denotifications by government, Siddaramaiah Watch issue, etc.

In my view BJP has upper hand in Karnataka. Congress has to be more tact-full and win the hearts of majority community in Karnataka. The decades old tactics won’t work now as the society is more literate, educated and have access to the global knowledge. Congress needs to change its strategy to be relevant in India.

Deceit: The absence of Patriotism?

I see few politicians and some highly educated people consciously utter insensitive remarks on our mother land, Army and PM. I wonder why? Is it utter selfishness? Is it for Political mileage? It’s beyond a lay man’s thinking capacity to find an answer.  I feel it is sheer absence of gratitude and patriotism.

Gratitude is the highest form of one’s conscience towards the country. It is the unconditional loyalty to the country. An army man fight for the country because of the loyalty and highest form gratitude towards the country and not for the money. The rulers of a country must have the same commitment towards country and vision for the prosperity. A person with greed, lust and selfishness is pain to any nation. The Deceit is pure result of greed and selfishness. A person with lack of respect to the country may be lost in the lust and greed, paralyzed mentally and fail to realize that ruining self by ruining the country. It is unfortunate that India is going through a tough time.  Rulers and leaders are becoming more and more selfish and greedy. The leaders are becoming less loyal to the nation and loyal to their lust and greed.

“Loyalty is the first quality of a good minister. He should not be an opportunist like the rats who leave a sinking ship. The ruler while choosing his assistants should look for trustworthiness and loyalty. A loyal minister will be with the ruler always in sunshine and rain”. - Chanakya

Tarnishing Country’s image:

Insulting one’s own land, questioning the loyalty of the military and praising the enemy is the act of greed and selfishness. A person or a leader of this kind with absence of gratitude and patriotism are left with lust and greed. When the lust and greed dominates one’s mind resulting in exit of the conscience from the soul. Hence for them prosperity of the country is less priority than greed.

India is victim of diplomatic conspiracy hatched by other countries with help of our won politicians and some media houses. Media houses become more caste based than the unbiased journalism. Media houses are owned by either unruly politicians or the foreign investors. In this situation expecting nationalism or patriotism is impossible.  This kind of media house’s selective coverage of the news with propaganda influences the people wrongly. Some people say why should we stand-up when national anthem is played, the respect is in my heart and don’t need to show it. Here you can say the absence of gratitude and patriotism. What if a soldier says why should I fight, the respect is in my heart and I don’t need to show it?

Absence of Gratitude in society:

Under the influence of selfish motives some people defend acts of corrupt leaders and some unruly activists. Absence of gratitude also influences day-to-day life of a common man. For example; SPITTING on the road, throwing GARBAGE on the road, having no respect for Country’s flag, perspective change on the basis of caste and question everything claiming freedom of speech. In recent times some people are opposing Demonetization in India without any logic. There will be some difficulties initially as this is a great task. People don’t mind queuing-up for iPhone, Discount sale, Movie tickets, restaurants, casinos, etc. But they re finding it difficult to queue-up at ATM. Let us have some gratitude towards our country. Let’s not allow greed and lust dominate patriotism. Let us make our country beautiful for the future generation, let us not give them a chance to curse us. Teach the younger generation to have gratitude and patriotism. When country prospers so does the common man!

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it” –Mark Twain

                           

By Vijay G