PADMA SHRI AWARD TO BHARAT SINGH BHARATI IS A MATTER OF PRIDE FOR BIHAR

PADMA SHRI AWARD TO BHARAT SINGH BHARATI IS A MATTER OF PRIDE FOR BIHAR

28-MAY-ENG 15

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------The conferral of the PadmaShri award upon Bharat Singh Bharati—a resident of Nanour village within the Sahar police station area and an immortal guardian of Bhojpuri folk culture—is a matter of immense pride for the entire state of Bihar.

He dedicated 78 years to the service of Bhojpuri folk music, utilizing his unwavering devotion to bestow a renewed identity upon these folk traditions. During an era characterized by a severe lack of resources, he established his reputation through folk songs by setting up stages illuminated solely by the light of lanterns and traveling from village to village on bicycles and bullock carts. While steadfastly shielding Bhojpuri music from #obscenity, he endowed it with cultural and classical dignity. He not only preserved fading folk genres—such as *Pawariya*, *Lori*, *Jatsar*, *Chauhat*, *Kirtaniya*, *Domkach*, and *Videshiya*—but, backed by a repertoire of over 5,000 songs and a command over multiple #languages, he also proudly hoisted the banner of #Bhojpuri culture across a vast expanse stretching from Mauritius all the way to Australia. The people of Bihar affectionately and respectfully address him as "Guruji." His life stands as a testament to the fact that true dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to one's culture possess the power to steer society in a new and positive direction.