GAANAYOGI SHIVAYOGI DR.PANDIT PUTTARAJA GAVAI

PuttarajaGavai  (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. 

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 recognition

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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