http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2010091820100918035317926e2d837b9/A-huge-loss-to-world-of-
A huge loss to world of music Noted veena player Suma Sudhindra pays tribute to music doyen Pandit Puttaraj Gawai, who passed away on Friday Aruna Chandaraju Posted On Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 03:53:18 AM Pandit Puttaraj Gawai was one of the most respected and versatile classical musicians of his time, respected not only for his contribution to vocal music, but also to instrumental music, theatre and literature. Above all, his amazing triumph over visual disability became a source of inspiration to many. Born visually challenged, Gawai mastered Hindustani music and performed widely to much acclaim, and also trained hundreds of students. He was anointed head of the Veereshwara Punyashrama by his guru Panchakshari Gawai. Pandit Gawai received many national and state-level awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, an honorary doctorate and most recently, the Padma Bhushan. Pandit Gawai’s death is a big loss to the world of music. Not only was he a great musician but also groomed many accomplished students. He will be remembered not only for his music but also his unique school. He belongs to that last great generation of legends who devoted themselves completely to their art. He gave all he had for the cause of music. He converted his disability into a great ability. Many visually challenged people do learn music but he took it to a level which will ensure that he will be remembered and respected forever. Many honours came his way, but Pandit Gawai still remained very humble. His spiritual inclinations, ability to sing and play several instruments, and his authorship of many books were remarkable aspects of his extraordinary life. Like many Hindustani musicians, he had a great sense of voice culture. He was endowed with an amazing voice and he used it to maximum impact in his highly appreciated concerts. I have always loved Hindustani music and thus enjoyed listening to him. I hope his students and the senior teachers at his school will carry forward his great legacy. That will be the greatest tribute we can pay him. The north of Karnataka has such a wonderful history of Hindustani music. Karnataka is the only state which boasts of legendary musicians in both forms. Pandit Gawai was one of those who made both his state and country proud. Death at ashram Pandit Puttaraj Gawai died in Gadag on Friday following prolonged illness. He was 97. Gawai, who was blind, was suffering from kidney failure and pneumonia. He died at the Shree Veereshwara Punyashrama, ashram sources said. He was shifted to the ashram from the KLE Society Hospital in Belgaum, where he had been admitted on Sept 5, as per his wish, they said. Gawai was brought up in the ashram, a home for thousands of visually challenged, where they are imparted education in music. Voice your thoughts in the blog to discuss the Rights of persons with disability bill at: http://www.accessindia.org.in/harish/blog.htm To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
