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.
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Awards
* 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, ...
, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2014[
* 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