The Central Government has announced the Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day. Three names have been included in this list from Rajasthan in which famous Bhampag player Gafuruddin Mewati Jogi, Algoja player Taga Ram Bhil and Brahmadev Maharaj will be awarded the Padma Shri.
Tagaram Bheel, who brought the art of traditional Algoza player from the golden city of Jaisalmer to foreign countries, will now be honored with the Padmashree Award. Tagaram Bhil is a world famous and traditional algoja player from Jaisalmer, known for his unique style. He has exhibited his art in more than 35 countries, which include countries like Russia, Japan, Germany and France. Tagaram learned this art from his father Topanram and is now giving it international recognition. Tagaram is a resident of Mulsagar village of Jaisalmer.
Expertise in playing bassoon and musical instruments
He learned to play algoza from his father Topanram in his childhood and mastered the traditional instrument. Tagaram has so far exhibited his art in more than 35 countries, which include countries like Russia, Japan, Africa, Germany and France. They present the desert folk songs and tunes of Rajasthan through Algoje (an instrument with two flutes). Despite difficult circumstances, he has kept this traditional art alive and is engaged in promoting it. Tagaram Bhil’s Algoza playing is not only a musical experience, but it is also a living symbol of Rajasthani culture.
Who is Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi?
The Central Government has announced to honor the famous folk artist Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi with the prestigious Padma Award, who brought the folk music and culture of Braj and Mewati Jogi culture to the country and the world. This honor is not only the result of an artist’s hard work, but also a national acknowledgment of his lifelong contribution to folk traditions, cultural heritage and communal harmony.
Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi is one of those select folk artists of Rajasthan who, through his art, kept Rajasthani culture alive from village-dhani to big stages. They are especially known for playing the Bhapang instrument and story-telling through folk songs. Bhapang, which is now included in the extinct folk musical tradition, was made by Ghafroo Din Mewati the medium of his identity and spiritual practice.
Credit for spreading Mewati folk traditions to the masses
His style of weaving Mewati folk traditions, historical stories and social messages into his songs is unique. They present Mahadev ji’s Byavla, verses and verses related to Shri Krishna, and genealogies of kings in the form of folk songs. The special thing is that Hindu and Muslim folk tales are seen together in his singing, which gives a strong message of Hindu-Muslim unity and brotherhood to the society. This is why his art has become not only a medium of entertainment but also a medium of social harmony.
As soon as the Padma Award was announced by the Central Government on Sunday, there was a wave of happiness in the entire Mewat region including Alwar. Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi’s family, well-wishers and fellow artists called this achievement an honor for the entire region. There is a flood of congratulations at home, while there is an atmosphere of enthusiasm and pride among the folk artists too.
Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi expressed gratitude to the Central Government
On this occasion, Ghafroo Din Mewati expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that this honor is not only for him, but for all those folk artists who have been struggling to keep their traditional art alive for years. There was a time when he used to earn his living for his family by begging. Despite this he never gave up his art. He took a big decision to keep folk music and Bhapang alive. This achievement of Ghafroo Din Mewati is an inspiration for the coming generations.
