Noted Hindustani and Carnatic exponent and instrumentalist
Puttaraj Gavai passed away in Gadag on Friday at the age of 97 following illness
.
Also a writer, dramatist and social worker, the Padma
Bhushan recipient died at Veereshwara Punyashrama, an institute for differently
abled and destitutes run by him for several years.
Gavai, who was suffering from kidney problems and pneumonia,
was shifted to the ashram from KLE Hospital in Belgaum as per his last wishes
early this week.
A disciple of the great Panchakshara Gavai who carried
forward his legacy, Putturaj not only rendered soulful music in both Hindustani
and Carnatic, but penned literary works in various languages and staged plays
under the 'Sri Guru Kumareshwara Krupa Poshita Natya Company' banner.
Born in a small village in Dharwad, Puttaraj turned blind in
infancy. His mother, heeding advise by a fake healer, placed an insect on his
eyes to cure him of an infection, an act that caused irreparable damage and
robbed him of his vision.
Young Putturaj, guided by the philosophy and inspiration of
his guru, went ahead with single-minded determination to pursue music and gain
mastery over Sanskrit, Hindi and Kannada.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa expressed condolences over
Gavai's death and said his last rites would be performed tomorrow with full
state honours. The state had declared a holiday in Gadag on Saturday.
Putturaj, sometimes alluded to as 'Milton of Karnataka',
went on to author over 75 books on spirituality, religion, history, as well as
biographies of many 'sharanas' of the Bhakti movement of the 12th century.
A storehouse of talent, he went on to master many
instruments like tabla, mridangam, violin, veena and rendered several
devotional music and vachanas, which were popular.
His prolific writing and much-acknowledged musical ability
saw him being crowned with various titles like 'Ubhaya Gayana Vadanacharya',
'Ganayogi', 'Kavishiromani' 'Thribhasha Kavi Rathna' by admirers around the
country.
Putturaj's talent saw him bag a string of awards, including
Karnataka Rajyotsav, Basvashri award and Kanaka Purandara Prashasti.
He was also honoured by the state government which conferred
on him the first Rajya Sangeetha Vidwan' while Bangalore University conferred
on him an honorary doctorate.
Putturaj was also a recipient of
the Kalidas Samman.
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