Puttaraj Gawai, Musician and Scholar
Musician and Scholar

Puttaraj Gawai

Born 3 March 1914 · Karnataka — Died 17 September 2010

Authored over 80 books in Kannada, Sanskrit, and Hindi while mastering multiple Indian classical instruments.

Pandit Puttaraj Gawayigalu was an Indian musician in the Hindustani classical tradition, a scholar who authored more than 80 books in Kannada, Sanskrit and Hindi, a music teacher and a social servant. A member of the Gwalior Gharana (school), he is renowned for his ability to play many instruments such as the veena, the tabla, mridangam, violin etc., as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music (bhajans) vachanas.A famous vocalist both in Hindustani and Carnatic Music. He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour, awarded in 2010.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Despite losing his sight at six months, Puttaraj Gawai mastered over a dozen musical instruments and re-wrote the Bhagavad Gita in Braille script.

The Story

1
🎵 Born in Devagiri, Karnataka in 1914, Puttaraj Gawai lost his eyesight at 6 months and his father at 10 months, yet by childhood he was already drawn to the harmonium at his uncle's home, sparking a lifelong devotion to music.
2
Under the tutelage of Ganayogi Panchakshara Gawai at Veereshwara Punyashrama, he mastered Hindustani classical music, later adding Carnatic techniques under Mundarigi Raghavendrachar, blending two traditions rarely combined by a single musician.
3🥁 Puttaraj Gawai was not just a vocalist but a multi-instrumentalist who mastered over a dozen instruments including the veena, tabla, mridangam, and violin, showcasing his rare versatility.
4In 1952, he founded the SriGuru Kumareshwara Krupa Poshita Natya Company, using theater not only to preserve cultural arts but also to fund free food, shelter, and education for disabled orphans, intertwining art and social service.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Puttaraj Gawai lost his eyesight at just six months old yet mastered over twelve instruments including veena, tabla, and violin, demonstrating extraordinary adaptability for a visually impaired musician.

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Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Puttaraj Gawai's Antim Yatra marking his final journey (2010)
Puttaraj Gawai's Antim Yatra marking his final journey (2010)
2010

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Devagiri, Karnataka
Pandit Puttaraj Gawai was born into a poor Kannada Veerashaiva Jangam family, losing his eyesight at six months.
1914
📚
Education
Mentored by Ganayogi Panchakshara Gawai
Taken to Veereshwara Punyashrama, he began rigorous training in Hindustani classical music under Panchakshara Gawai.
c.1920
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Education
Mastered Carnatic music
Studied Carnatic music under Mundarigi Raghavendrachar, integrating diverse musical traditions.
c.1930
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Career
Founded theater company
Established SriGuru Kumareshwara Krupa Poshita Natya Company to support disabled orphans through cultural arts.
1952
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Other
Received Padma Bhushan and passed away
Awarded one of India's highest civilian honors shortly before his death, cementing his legacy.
2010
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He authored more than 80 books in Kannada, Sanskrit, and Hindi, including biographies of 12th-century Bhakti saints, blending scholarship with musical devotion.

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1952, he founded SriGuru Kumareshwara Krupa Poshita Natya Company, using theater performances to fund free food, shelter, and education for disabled orphans.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He re-wrote the Bhagavad Gita in Braille to make one of Hinduism’s most important texts accessible to the visually impaired community.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Puttaraj Gawai established the Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag, which became a unique music school dedicated to visually impaired students, blending Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. His Panchakshara Gharana continues to influence devotional and classical music styles, and the Puttaraj Gawai Award annually honors excellence in Hindustani vocal music, keeping his vision alive through generations.

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