Punaram Nishad
Indian actor and musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Punaram Nishad, born in Ringni, Durg district, Chhattisgarh, (16 November 1939 - 11 November 2017) was an Indian folk musician, known for his prowess in the Pandavani, a folk music tradition of Chhattisgarh and the neighbouring states in India.[1][2]
Punaram Nishad | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 16, 1939 Kartik Mas Purnima |
| Died | November 11, 2017 (aged 77) Falgun Mas Navami Dr B R Ambedkar Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
| Other name | Punaram |
| Occupation | Folk musician |
| Known for | Pandavani |
| Spouse | Jamuna Nishad |
| Children | Rohit Nishad |
| Parent(s) | Laxman Nishad & Budvanti Nishad |
| Awards | 1975 - Tamra Padak Award
1975- Chhattisgarh Kala Samman, 2002 - Vilasa Samman, 2005 - Padma Shri |
| Website | www.nishadbandhu.com |
Early life
Born in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, (then Madhya Pradesh) to a Bhajan singer, he started learning the art from the age of 10 under Jhadu Ram Dewangan, considered by many as the father of Pandvani,[3] and aligned with the Vedamati tradition of Pandavani, which follows a rigid text, and does not permit improvisations.[2]
Nishad has composed 18 stories for Pandavani, of which Udyog Parv is his favourite. He has acted in two plays, Agra Bazaar directed by Habib Tanvir, and a Naya Theatre production, Duryodhan.[2] His performance has been staged during the Beyond the Border Festival Tour at Phoenix Arts Centre, Leicester on 28 June 1995.[4] The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2005, for his contributions to Indian folk arts.[5] He lived in Ringni village of Durg district in Chhattisgarh and taught Pandavani at his residence, Shanti Niketan Ashram.[2] His son, Rohit Nishad, is a farmer.
