Bashir Momin Kavathekar Explained

Birth Name:Bashir Kamruddin Momin
Birth Date:1948 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Kavathe Yamai, Maharashtra, India
Death Place:Pune, Maharashtra, India
Occupation:Poet, Playwright, Actor
Years Active:1960-2010
Awards:Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar

Bashir Kamruddin Momin (1 March 1947 – 12 November 2021), popularly known by his pen name, Momin Kavathekar, also known as 'Lokshahir B. K. Momin Kavathekar', was a popular Marathi language poet and writer who promoted sanitation, literacy, and social reforms through his literatures. His work involved raising public awareness to tackle issues like dowry system, female foeticide, alcohol addiction and blind following of superstitions.[1] Many of his devotional songs (bhaktigit / aarati) adore the Hindu God & Goddess. He was closely associated with Maharashtra's traditional form of theatre Tamasha for almost 50 years; supporting the various Tamasha troupes by providing them with folk songs like 'Lavani', 'Gan Gavalan', 'Bhedic' and short plays called 'Vaga-Natya'.[2] For his contribution to the field of folk art, literature and culture, he was awarded the 'Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar' [3] [4] by the Government of Maharashtra in 2018.[5] [6]

Biography

Early life

Momin Kavathekar (बशीर कमरुद्दीन मोमीन / लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर) was born on 1-March-1948 at Kavathe, a small village in drought prone western Maharashtra, into a Muslim weaver family. Addition of Kavathekar to the surname and adopting it as part of pen name indicates the proud association of family with the village where the ancestors has lived for centuries. Due to patronage by Maratha Empire since late 18th century, the village had been thriving in the crafts and performing arts; and became home to many artist associated with ‘Jagaran Gondhal’, ‘Bharud’, ‘Tamasha’ [all local folk arts]. Momin Kavathekar's fascination in these artists developed gradually as a child because he grew up watching them perform at village functions, during their rehearsals prior to the stage- shows.

Education

Momin Kawathekar completed his education from a Marathi Medium school. Due to non-availability of the higher secondary school in the village, all the students had to trek 10 km to a nearby village called ‘Loni-Dhamani’. Due to health issues, he gave up the school after completing the 8th standard and started helping his family in the business.

Professional life

Momin Kavthekar wrote his first song at the age of 11 years. Audience applauded when he performed this song at his school function. This inspired him to continue & explore his writing skills. At young age, he joined the Tamasha troupe of ‘Gangaram Kavathekar’ where he got exposure to the expectations of the rural audience, their preferences for entertainment and the difficulties faced by artist/troupes/operators. He acted in short plays (Vag Natya) and drama. He had the honor of playing roles of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the drama "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat" & "Netaji Palakar", as well the role of rival Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in "Bhangale Swapna Maharashtra"; which were performed by 'Natya Zankar Group' at Bharat Natya Mandir, Pune during 1970s.[7] During free time, he used to pen down couplets/ short folk songs/ Lavani etc. which were performed on the Tamasha shows. However, his folk songs & short plays received huge appreciation from audience and his work become popular amongst the rural areas.[8] [9] Popularity of his songs earned him fame and various Tamasha troupes/operators started flocking down to Kavathe (his hometown), to obtain new songs/ Vag Natya.[10] He got associated with the other Tamasha troupes such as ‘Kalu-Balu Kavalapurkar’, ‘Raghuveer Khedkar & Kantabai Satarkar’, ‘Aman Tambe’, ‘Lakshman Takalikar’ and ‘Datta Mahadik Punekar’.[11] However, he never charged any royalty/ fees from these Tamasha operators for the songs/lyrics or Vag Natya he used to provide them.[12] [13] Short plays written with intention to spread mass awareness about AIDS or combating the prevailing social evils like dowry, illiteracy etc. earned the affection of masses.[14] With the advent of Television/ Radio/VCR/ Cable, the Tamasha as ventures started to face difficulty due to dwindling earnings. During this phase, he worked on digitalization options and came up with couple of Musical Audio Albums (CDs). He also guided many troupes/owners to adapt the new technological changes for marketing purpose.[15] He has also written songs for the Marathi Movie 'VIP Gadhav' which features noted comedian Bhau Kadam aka Bhalchandra Kadam as lead actor[16] [17] & upcoming movie 'Bhaucha Dhakka'.[18]

Death

Momin Kawthekar passed away in Pune on November 12, 2021, after a long illustrious career spanning five decades.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]

Works

Kavathekar has written more than 4000 folk songs which were /are being performed by local artist over the years. He wrote a wide range of songs like ‘Lavani’, ‘Gan’, ‘Gavlan’, ‘Poems’, ‘Devotional Songs’ and ‘Songs on social issues/ reforms’.[25] [26] His Folk songs and Lavani's helped Maharashtra folk art 'Tamasha' to sustain it's popularity for over half century.[27] His use of folkloric narrative styles has helped in popularizing and making his work understandable & accessible to common man & communities.[28] He has written plays based on historical figures and events. He has written short stories, street plays, songs on the social subjects like ‘Praudh Saksharta Abhiyan – National Literacy Mission Programme’, ‘Gram Swachchta Abhiyan & Swatch Bharat Abhiyan – Sanitation & Cleanliness Drive by Govt’, ‘awareness about AIDS’, ‘ill effect of Dowry’, 'Female feticide', 'Alcohol addiction' etc. and presented/performed them across rural Maharashtra.[29] [30]

Drama

Street Plays on social issues

Some of these were also performed / broadcast on the Radio from All India Radio/ Aakashvani Kendra, Pune.

Vag Natya

Songs popularized by ‘Tamasha troupes’

Movie songs

Musical Albums / Devotional Songs

Source:[39]

Devotional songs, adoring Hindu God/Goddess, truly represent the secular social fabric of Maharshtra, well developed under the Bhakti Movement (Warkari Sampraday). It represents the Ganga-Jamuni culture of India.

Books

Awards and recognitions

Social work

Kavathekar' formed a small troupe (Kalapathak) who performed street plays as part of awareness campaign against social evils like prevalence of dowry, epidemics like AIDS, blind acceptance of superstitions & the exploitation that follows.[56] [57] He actively prpogated in the various initiatives of Government like ‘Praudh Saksharta Mission / National Literacy Mission’, ‘VyasanMukti Abhiyan - campaign to minimize addiction of alcoholism’, ‘Gram Swachchata Abhiyan - a predecessor of ‘Swatch Bharat Abhiyan'. As a recognition of his contribution to the social cause, he was honored by Government with ‘Vyasan Mukti Purskar (व्यसनमुक्ती पुरस्कार)’.[58]

He formed and headed an organisation of folk artist with objective to work for their development. He tried to address the issues such as scholarship for the children of artiste, Pension for the elderly artiste [59] and pursued with Government Agencies to ensure the pension funds are released on time.[60] He used to organise health check-up camps for the folk artiste in the Pune District.[61] He advocated for documenting the contribution of folk artiste so that the art and culture is preserved and made available to next generation.[62]

Since 2002, he focused on mentoring the young generation of artist and performers, thereby aiding in the development of the art and preserving the traditional art forms prevalent in Maharashtra culture.[63] [64] [65] Thanks to Momin Kavathekar's recommendation, movie screen play writer Mr. Mohan Padawal got his first opportunity and professional assignment to write the story for a movie 'Gulhar'.[66]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Dr. Sheshrao Patahde. "लोकमान्य लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर Lokamnya Lokshahir Momin Kavathekar", "Punya Nagari- a Marathi Daily", Mumbai, 28-Nov-2021
  2. Dr. Shyamal Garud -Mumbai University. "Lok Shahir Momin Kavathekar", 'Punyanagari', Published on 15-May-2016
  3. https://www.esakal.com/pune/vithabai-narayangaonkar-award-momin-kawhetkar-163510 बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर यांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कार जाहीर
  4. http://www.saamana.com/folk-artist-bashir-momin-honor-by-vithabai-narayangaonkar-life-achievement-award आयुष्यभराच्या निरपेक्ष सेवेचा गौरव- लोकशाहीर बशीर मोमीन यांच्या भावना
  5. https://psjunnar.com/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%80/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B5/ कला क्रीडा व सन उत्सव - पंचायत समिती जुन्नर
  6. Book: Dr. Bokil . Neelam. November 30, 2022 . Dr. Mukadam . Kedar . भारतीय लोक कलाकार . Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda . 85–90 . Chapter 18: महाराष्ट्रका लोक संगीत एवं लोक कलाकार.
  7. Prof. Suhas Joshi, [भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा - एक चांगला नाट्यप्रयोग], “विशाल सह्याद्री, पुणे, 27-Feb-1977”
  8. https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/editorial/manasa/kavathekar/articleshow/51058842.cms “गंगारामबुवा कवठेकर”
  9. Book: Patil, Vishwas . Gabhulalelya Chandrabanat . 2020 . Mehta Publishing House.
  10. शंकर रत्नपारखी. “जागृतदेवस्थान येमाईदेवी”, "Prabhat- a Marathi Daily", Pune, 1-Sept-1985.
  11. https://www.maharashtratoday.co.in/candidates-choice-for-the-vithabai-narayangaonkar-award-explanation-from-cultural-department/t,"विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कारासाठी उमेदवाराची निवड योग्य
  12. “रसिकांना मिळणारा आनंद हाच खरा पुरस्कार- बी.के. मोमीन”,Sakal, Pune, 17-Aug-2014.
  13. http://product.sakaalmedia.com/portal/SM.aspx?ID=167507 लोकसाहित्यिक बी.के.मोमीन यांचा सत्कार
  14. “मोमीन यांनी समाजच्या वेदना साहित्यातून मांडल्या - गृहमंत्री वळसे पाटील”, "Punya Nagari", Pune, 23-Nov-2021.
  15. https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAH-WMAH-AHM-tamasha-marketing-on-social-networking-latest-news-in-divya-marathi-4537450-NOR.html?seq=3 "सोशल नेटवर्किंगवरून आता तमाशाचे मार्केटिंग"
  16. https://www.loksatta.com/manoranjan-news/vip-gadhav-bhau-kadam-mpg-94-1948204,"भाऊ कदम यांचे 'व्हीआयपी गाढव'"
  17. https://www.maharashtrakesari.news/bhau-kadam-new-upcoming-movie-avb/,"भाऊ कदम आता नव्या रंगात अन् नव्या ढंगात येणार तुमच्या समोर!"
  18. https://www.esakal.com/uttar-maharashtra/nashik/filming-of-ekdam-pakka-bhau-cha-dhakka-in-deola-central-attraction-chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-memorial-nashik-news-psl98," देवळ्यात ‘एकदम पक्का-भाऊचा धक्का’ चे चित्रीकरण!"
  19. https://www.esakal.com/pune/senior-literary-bk-momin-kalavash-kgm00 ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन कालवश
  20. https://www.esakal.com/maharashtra/aarti-sonagra-writes-bashirbhai-momin-pjp78 अवलिया लोकसाहित्यिक
  21. https://www.mumbaitak.in/news/veteran-actor-and-writer-b-k-momin-passed-away ज्येष्ठ लोककलावंत आणि साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन यांचं निधन
  22. https://www.dainikprabhat.com/pune-senior-literary-b-k-momin-kalavash/ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन कालवश
  23. https://pudhari.news/maharashtra/pune/66477/writer-momin-kavthekar-passes-away/ar Momin Kavthekar:ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक मोमीन कवठेकर यांचे निधन
  24. https://www.lokmat.com/pune/senior-literary-b-k-momin-passed-away-fifty-years-contribution-literary-world-a607/ ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर काळाच्या पडद्याआड; साहित्य विश्वाला पन्नास वर्षांचे योगदान
  25. "अवलिया लोकसाहित्यीक", "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily", Pune, 21-Nov-2021.
  26. Dilawar Shaikh. “Baghu Naka Mukhada Valu Valu- Lavani Collection”, Contribution of Muslim Shahir’s, Page -116, Nirmiti Publication Kolhapur, 2021
  27. Book: Prof. Pandya . Dyuti . November 30, 2022 . Dr. Mukadam . Kedar . भारतीय लोक कलाकार . Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda . 141–145 . Chapter 29: Folk artists of Gujrat and Maharashtra.
  28. "Lokashray Labhalele Lok Shahir B. K. Momin-Kavathekar", "Pudhari", Published on 23-Apr-2015
  29. Khanduraj Gaykwad, लेखणीतून ग्रामीण लोककला संपन्न करणारे- बशीर मोमीन कवठेकर!, "Navakal, 20-Jan-2019"
  30. Book: Garud, Shyamal . KANATICHYA MAGE . 14 April 2024 . Lalit Publication .
  31. https://www.kolaj.in/published_article.php?v=Introduction-to-tamasha-artist-b-k-mominFI5681349/ बशीर मोमीन – कवठेकरः कोंबड्या विकण्यापासून जीवनगौरव पुरस्कारापर्यंत
  32. Prof. Suhas Joshi, [भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा - एक चांगला नाट्यप्रयोग], “विशाल सह्याद्री, पुणे, 27-Feb-1977”
  33. https://puneprimenews.com/latest-news/gangarambuwa-kavthekar-who-sacrificed-his-life-for-social/ “बुवांची ढोलकी आणि भाईंची गाणी राज्यभर गाजली…!!! समाज जागृती साठी आयुष्य वेचणारे गंगारामबुवा कवठेकर व बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर”
  34. “बी के मोमीन यांचे साहित्य लोकजागृती करणारे - गृहमंत्री वळसे पाटील”, "Lokmat", Pune, 22-Nov-2021.
  35. “आधुनिकतेची नस पकडणारा शाहीर”, "Sakal", Mumbai, 31-Jan-2019.
  36. Madhav Vivdans,"विविधा: दत्ता महाडिक पुणेकर", Editorial published in Prabhat, Published on 20-Nov-2018, Retrieved on 28-March-2019
  37. https://www.lokmat.com/maharashtra/tamasha-best-decline-has-been-criticized-momin/ "तमाशा श्रेष्ठच, उतरती कळा नाही- मोमीन कवठेकर”
  38. https://www.parnerdarshan.com/2020/10/blog-post_29.html कोणी कोणाला नाही बोलायच...
  39. Dr. Sheshrao Patahde. "लोकमान्य लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर Lokamnya Lokshahir Momin Kavathekar", "Punya Nagari- a Marathi Daily", Mumbai, 28-Nov-2021
  40. [Prakash Khandge]
  41. प्रभाकर ओव्हाळ. "दगडूबाबा शिरोलीकर"- संदर्भ:१.कवठेकर,मोमीन बी. के.https://marathivishwakosh.org/1079/ "Marathi Vishwakosh, part of Marathi Language Development Board, an initiative by Govt. of Maharashtra", 13-Dec-2018
  42. "कवठेकर यांना डॉ. विखे पाटील पुरस्कार", "Prabhat", Pune, 16-Sept-2014.
  43. "आयुष्यभराच्या निरपेक्ष सेवेचा गौरव! लोकशाहीर बशीर मोमीन यांच्या भावना" http://www.saamana.com/folk-artist-bashir-momin-honor-by-vithabai-narayangaonkar-life-achievement-award,"Saamana”, Published on 1-March-2019
  44. "दारू पिऊन ‘तिहेरी तलाक’ उच्चारणे कसे काय चालते?"http://www.lokmat.com/pune/how-speak-triple-divorce-drinking-dr-zeenat-shaukat-ali/ Lokamt, Published on 23-March-2019
  45. "कर्तबगार व्यक्तींचा तळेगाव येथे सन्मान" http://product.sakaalmedia.com/portal/SM.aspx?ID=176438,Sakal, Published on 16-Sept-2019
  46. "सत्तेपुढे व जनतेपुढे वास्तव मांडण्याचे काम साहित्यिक करतो", "Janshakti" - A marathi news paper, Published on 16-Sept-2019
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  48. "पद्मश्री विखे पाटील साहित्य पुरस्कार जाहीर" https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/ahmednagar-news/award/articleshow/38986081.cms, "Maharashtra Times", Published on 11-Aug-2014
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  53. https://www.mumbaitak.in/news/veteran-actor-and-writer-b-k-momin-passed-away ज्येष्ठ लोककलावंत आणि साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन यांचं निधन
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  57. https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/marathi/poet/bashir-momin-kavathekar "Celebrity Marathi Poet-Bashir Momin Kavathekar"
  58. "लोकशाहीर कवठेकरांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर जीवनगौरव पुरस्कार"http://newspaper.pudhari.co.in/archive/viewpage.php?edn=Thane&date=2019-01-03&edid=PUDHARI_THE&pid=PUDHARI_THE&pn=2#Page/2/Article/PUDHARI_THE_20190103_02_5/112px/1CF50DC "Pudhari", 3-Jan-2019
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