Bashir Momin Kavathekar

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, writer who promoted sanitation, literacy, and social reforms through his literatures. His work involved creating mass awareness against the dowry, female foeticide, alcohol addiction, blind following of superstitions. 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'. For his contribution to the field of folk art, literature and culture, he was awarded the 'Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar' ^[1][2] by Government of Maharashtra in 2018.

Bashir Momin Kavathekar
Born	Bashir Kamruddin Momin (1948-03-01)March 1, 1948 Kavathe Yamai, Maharashtra, India
Died	December 12, 2021(2021-12-12) (aged 74) Pune, Maharashtra, India
Occupation(s)	Poet, Playwright, Actor
Years active	1960-2010
Awards	Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar

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; to 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]. As a kid, Momin Kavathekar has grown up watching these artist perform at village functions, during their rehearsals prior to the stage- shows and hence, his interest grew gradually.

Education

Momin Kavathekar completed his education from a Marathi Medium school. Due to non-availability of the higher secondary school in the village, all the students from the Kavathe had to walk to a village ‘Loni-Dhamani’ located 10 km away. 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 Kavathekar wrote his first song at the age of 11 years. This song was presented in his school function and received appreciation from the audience. This encouraged 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. During free time, he used to pen down couplets/ short folk songs/ Lavani etc. which were sung on the Tamasha shows. However, his folk songs & short plays received appreciation from audience and his work become popular amongst the rural areas.^[3] Popularity of his songs earned him fame and various Tamasha troupes/operators started flocking down to Kavathe (his native place) to obtain new songs/ Vag Natya.^[4] 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’.^[5] However, he never charged any royalty/ fees from these Tamasha operators for the songs/lyrics or Vag Natya he used to provide them.^[6][7] Short plays written with intention to spread mass awareness against AIDS or fighting against the prevailing social evils like dowry, illiteracy etc. earned the affection of masses.^[8] 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.^[9] He has also written songs for the Marathi Movie 'VIP Gadhav' which features noted comedian Bhau Kadam aka Bhalchandra Kadam as lead actor^[10][11] & upcoming movie 'Bhaucha Dhakka'

Death

Momin Kavathekar died on 12 November 2021 in Pune after a long illustrious career spanning five decades.^{[12][13][14][15][16][17]}

Works

Kavathekar has written more than 4000 folk songs which were /are being used by local artist over the years. His collection of songs include a variety such as ‘Lavani’, ‘Gan’, ‘Gavlan’, ‘Poems’, ‘Devotional Songs’, ‘Songs on social issues/ reforms’.^[18] His use of folkloric narrative styles has helped in popularizing and making his work understandable & accessible to common man & communities. He has written a Play/ Drama based on historic incidents/personalities. 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.^[19]

Drama

• “भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा (Bhangale Swapn Maharashtra)”--- Play based on the life & struggle of Maratha warrior-king Rajaram against the Mughal empire.
• “वेडात मराठे वीर दौडले सात (Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat)” –-- Play based on Maratha general Shri Pratparao Gujjar lead battle.
• “लंका कुणी जाळली (Lanka Kuni Jalali)”

Street Plays on social issues

 

Momin Kavathekar playing role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Marathi drama 'Netaji Palakar'

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

• “सोयऱ्याला धडा शिकवा (Soyaryala dhada shikawa) ”—Awareness in society about ills of Dowry
• “हुंड्या पायी घटल सार (Hundya payi ghadale saar) ”—Awareness to prohibit/stop tradition of Dowry.^[20]
• “दारू सुटली चालना भेटली (Daru sutali, chalana bhetali) ”—Awareness to prohibit/stop young generation from alcohol addiction
• “दारूचा झटका संसाराला फटका (Darucha Zataka, Sansarala Fatak) ”—Awareness of social problems arising due to addiction of alcohol.
• “मनाला आला एड्स टाळा (Manala Aala AIDS tala) ”—Awareness in society about causes of AIDS and its effect on health, family life.
• “बुवाबाजी ऐका माझी (Buvabaji aika majhi) ”—Awareness in society for eradication of Blind Faith & to fight superstition.

Vag Natya

• “बाईने दावला इंगा (Bai ne dawala enga)”
• “ईश्कान घेतला बळी (Eshkane ghetala bali)”
• “तांबड फुटलं रक्ताचं (Tambada Futala Raktacha)”
• “भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा (Bhangale Swapna Maharashtra)”
• “भक्त कबीर (Bhakt Kabeer)”
• “सुशीला, मला माफ कर (Sushila mala maaf kar)” – Received ‘Chotu Juwekar Award (1980)’

Songs popularized by ‘Tamasha troupes’

• “सार हायब्रीड झाल... ”
• “हे असच चालायचं... ”
• “खर नाही काही हल्लीच्या जगात... ”
• “फॅशनच फॅड लागतंय गॉड... ”
• “लंगडं.. मारताय उडून तंगड!”^[21]
• “लई जोरात पिकलाय जोंधळा... ”
• “मारू का गेन्बाची मेख…”
• “बडे मजेसे मेरेज किया…”
• “महात्मा फुल्यांची घेऊन स्फूर्ती, रात्रीच्या शाळेला चला होऊ भरती” .. Composed by Shri Ram Kadam for National Literacy Mission^[22]

Movie songs

• “गंगाराम आला ...... ”
• “मुरली माझा कष्टकरी.. ”
• “वि.आय.पी. वि.आय.पी^[23] ....(VIP VIP | VIP Gadhav | Kunal Ganjawala & Ravi Wayhole)”
• “झुंबा ^[24] (Zumba | VIP Gadhav | Pooja Kasekar & Bhau Kadam | Kavita Raam & Ravi Wavhole)”

Books

• “कलावंतांच्या आठवणी (अभ्यास पुस्तक)”^[25] Published by Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskrutik Mandal and used as reference/ guide by students/ scholars studying the Maharashtra's folk art and the contribution of various artiste ^[26]
• “भंगले स्वप्ना महाराष्ट्र (ऐतेहासिक नाटक) ” ....Published by Tridal Prakashan, Pune
• “प्रेम स्वरूप आई (कविता संग्रह)” .... Collection/Published/Composed by Shri Rajendra Kankaria ^[27]
• “अक्षरमंच (कविता संग्रह)” ... अखिल भारतीय मराठी प्रातिनिधिक कवितासंग्रह - २००४, संपादक डॉ योगेश जोशी

Awards and recognitions

 

Bashir Momin Kavathekar being awarded with 'Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar' in 2018

• “विठाबाई नारायणगावकर जीवनगौरव पुरस्कार (२०१९)”.^[28] Highest cultural award by Government of Maharashtra
• “मुस्लिम सत्यशोधक मंडळ विशेष सन्मान (२०१९)"^[29] Received at the hands of noted social activist Shri Baba Adhav.
• “महाराष्ट्र साहित्य परिषद पुरस्कार (२०१९)”.^[30][31]
• “लोकनेते गोपीनाथ मुंडे जीवनगौरव पुरस्कार (२०१८) ”^[32]
• “विखे पाटील साहित्य कला गौरव (२०१४)”^[33][27][34]– Received at the hands of Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan.
• “ग्रांड सोशल अवार्ड, पुणे (२०१३) ”^[35]- Received at the hands of Bollywood cine actor Shri Jackie Shroff.
• “व्यसनमुक्ती पुरस्कार (२००३)” - Pune Zilla Parishad (Maharashtra Government), Received at the hands of Maharashtra Dy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar
• “लोकशाहीर पुरस्कार (१९९९)” - Received at the hands of Chairman of “Aashwasan Samiti- Maharashtra State Assembly”
• “ग्रामवैभव पुरस्कार (१९८१)” - Received at the hands of veteran Marathi Cine actor Late Shri Nilu Phule
• “छोटू जुवेकर पुरस्कार, मुंबई (१९८०) ”^[36] - Received at the hands of Bollywood cine actor Shri Amol Palekar

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 following of superstitions & resulting exploitation.^[37] He actively participated 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 for his contribution to the social cause, he was honored by Government with ‘Vyasan Mukti Purskar (व्यसनमुक्ती पुरस्कार)’.^[38]

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 ^[39] and pursued with Government Agencies to ensure the pension funds are released on time.^[40] He used to organise health check-up camps for the folk artiste in the Pune District.^[41] He advocated for documenting the contribution of folk artiste so that the art and culture is preserved and made available to next generation.^[42]

For the last two decades, he has been mentoring young generation of artist and performers thereby aiding in the development of the art and preserving the traditional art forms prevalent in Maharashtra culture.^[43][44][45] Movie screen play writer Mr. Mohan Padawal got his first professional assignment & opportunity to write a story for a movie 'Gulhar' because of Momin Kavathekar's recommendation.^[46]

References

1. बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर यांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कार जाहीर “Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, 2-Jan-2019
2. आयुष्यभराच्या निरपेक्ष सेवेचा गौरव- लोकशाहीर बशीर मोमीन यांच्या भावना 2020-11-08 at the Wayback Machine "Saamana, a leading Marathi Daily”, 1-March-2019
3. “गंगारामबुवा कवठेकर”, “Maharashtra Times”, 20-Feb-2016
4. शंकर रत्नपारखी. “जागृतदेवस्थान येमाईदेवी”, "Prabhat- a Marathi Daily", Pune, 1-Sept-1985.
5. "विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कारासाठी उमेदवाराची निवड योग्य "Maharashtra Today", 13 February 2019
6. “रसिकांना मिळणारा आनंद हाच खरा पुरस्कार- बी.के. मोमीन”,Sakal, Pune, 17-Aug-2014.
7. लोकसाहित्यिक बी.के.मोमीन यांचा सत्कार Sakal, 30-Aug-2019.
8. “मोमीन यांनी समाजच्या वेदना साहित्यातून मांडल्या - गृहमंत्री वळसे पाटील”, "Punya Nagari", Pune, 23-Nov-2021.
9. "सोशल नेटवर्किंगवरून आता तमाशाचे मार्केटिंग", "Divya Marathi”, Published on 2-March-2014]
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12. ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन कालवश "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 12-Nov-2021
13. अवलिया लोकसाहित्यिक "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 20-Nov-2021
14. ज्येष्ठ लोककलावंत आणि साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन यांचं निधन "Mumbai tak, a leading Marathi News Portal”, 12-Nov-2021
15. साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन कालवश "Prabhat, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 12-Nov-2021
16. Momin Kavthekar:ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक मोमीन कवठेकर यांचे निधन "Pudhari, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 12-Nov-2021
17. ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर काळाच्या पडद्याआड; साहित्य विश्वाला पन्नास वर्षांचे योगदान "Lokmat, a leading Marathi news portal”, Pune, 12-Nov-2021
18. “अवलिया लोकसाहित्यीक”, "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 21-Nov-2021.
19. Khanduraj Gaykwad, लेखणीतून ग्रामीण लोककला संपन्न करणारे- बशीर मोमीन कवठेकर!, “Navakal, 20-Jan-2011”
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22. कोणी कोणाला नाही बोलायच..., 15-Oct-2020
23. Gaana.com, VIP VIP
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26. प्रभाकर ओव्हाळ. "दगडूबाबा शिरोलीकर"- संदर्भ:१.कवठेकर,मोमीन बी. के.[1] “Marathi Vishwakosh, part of Marathi Language Development Board, an initiative by Govt. of Maharashtra”, 13-Dec-2018
27. "कवठेकर यांना डॉ. विखे पाटील पुरस्कार", "Prabhat", Pune, 16-Sept-2014.
28. "आयुष्यभराच्या निरपेक्ष सेवेचा गौरव! लोकशाहीर बशीर मोमीन यांच्या भावना" [2] 2020-11-08 at the Wayback Machine,"Saamana”, Published on 1-March-2019
29. "दारू पिऊन ‘तिहेरी तलाक’ उच्चारणे कसे काय चालते?"[3] Lokamt, Published on 23-March-2019
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35. " समाजहित साधणारेच खरे 'हिरो' -जॅकी श्रॉफ", "Prabhat", Pune, 3-Nov-2011.
36. "दुसऱ्या तमाशा लेखन स्पर्धेचा निकाल ", Sakal, Mumbai, 22-Oct-1980.
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38. "लोकशाहीर कवठेकरांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर जीवनगौरव पुरस्कार"[7]^{[permanent dead link]} “Pudhari”, 3-Jan-2019
39. "राज्यातील ज्येष्ठ कलावंतांकडे शासनाचे दुर्लक्ष: मोमीन", "Pudhari", Pune, 28-March-2008.
40. "वृद्ध कलावंताचा मोर्चा, घेरावाचा इशारा", "Dainik Prabhat-a leading marathi daily", Pune, 7-July-2008.
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42. "लोककलाविषयक अप्रकाशित साहित्य शासनाने प्रकाशित करावे", Sakal, Pune, 30-May-2009.
43. "नृत्य स्पर्धेत बक्षिसांचा ‘पाऊस’",Loksatta, Retrieved on 10-Feb-2019
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46. "शिरुर येथे प्र. के.अञे. राज्यस्तरीय राज्य नाट्य एकांकीका स्पर्धेचे उदघाटन उत्साहात संपन्न",“Samajshil”, a local marathi Weekly, Retrieved on 27-March-2019

Further reading

• Kasabe, Dilip Karbhari (July 7, 2010). Shahir Bashirbhai Momin Kavthekar: vyakti aani vangamay ("शाहीर बशीरभाई मोमीन कवठेकर: व्यक्ती आणि वाङ्मय") (PhD) (in Marathi). Pune: Savitribai Phule Pune University, INFLIBNET. hdl:10603/3772. Retrieved June 1, 2020.

External links

 

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