Musafir Ram Bhardwaj is a Paun Mata musical instrument player from

Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh (; ; "Snow-laden Mountain Province") is a state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterized by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks ...

, India. He was awarded the

Padma Shri Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...

in 2014.

Life

He was born in 1930 to Deewana Ram at Sunchai village, Bharmour area in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India. He had no formal education. He learned playing ''Pauna Mata'' from his father at the age of 13, and has played ever since. He performed at

2010 Commonwealth Games The 2010 Commonwealth Games (Hindi: 2010 राष्ट्रमण्डल खेल), officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Delhi 2010, was an international multi-sport event that was held in Delhi, India, f ...

in Delhi. He is also an agriculturist and tailor. Bhardwaj has four sons and two daughters.

Paun mata

Paun mata is a traditional music instrument made of copper drum and lamb's skin. The Bhardwaj family play the instrument, and they have been invited to social and religious ceremonies in Himachal Pradesh to play the instrument.

Awards

, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2014 * Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 by ''Divya Himachal'' * Rashtrapati Award in 2009

References

{{India-musician-stub 1930 births Living people Musicians from Himachal Pradesh Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Indian folk musicians People from Chamba district 20th-century Indian musicians