Tributes paid to eminent singer, lyricist, thinker, author and socio cultural activist Girdhaji at Garhwal Bhawan

It was indeed an awesome moment to pay tributes to the legendary poet of Uttarakhand, a thinker, ideologue, a free man ( Malang) , an outspoken socio cultural activist, lyricist of repute, director, an author of repute and above all a singer who had embraced Damru, a traditional musical instrument n even Dhol Damao thus endeavouring to break the shackles of castism. Girdha as he was popularly known was in fact a Malang, a character played by popular Bollywood veteran actor Pran in film UPKAAR, but was outrightly progresive, was nonetheless a pure hearted socio cultural activist, a singer with melodious voice and a revolutionary in thoughts.

Girdha was unparalleled and incomparable, who dedicated his entire life for the society, down trodens, the backwards, SCs and STs n the people og grass roots – fighting against brahminism and untouchability and squeezed caste tyrrany. Girdha’s songs scripted by him, were no less than songs of reformist movement and cleansing the society of caste and communal colours and anything that is narrow and squeezed in thinking.

He was a progressive singer, thinker, writer and ideologue who never cared for his personal well being, nor his family, relatives n near and dear ones but for the society, especially the depressed, oppressed, down trodden and the victimised lot. Today at Garhwal Bhawan the right thinking progressive people paid their riches tributes to this great soul who died at the age of 65 on 22 nd August in 2010 raising the flag of his, struggle for the poor and down troddens high. My heartfelt richest tributes to this great legendary figure.

Prominent among those who spoke on the ocassion were Dr. Puran Chand Kandpal, Dr. Satish Kaleshwari, Senior journalist Vyomesh Jugran, daughter in law of Girdaji Prabha, Brij Bhushan Sharma, Pramod Sharma,Gel secretary AIKS, Hem Pant, Mr. Papnei, Dr. Harish Lakhera, Journalist, Mrs Laxmi Rawat, artist, president of Garjwal Hiteshini Sabha Ajay Bisht n several others.The event was organised at Garhwal Bhawan and ably anchored by senior journo Charu Tiwari who threw light on the relentless struggle of Girdhaji right from his birth to his last eternal journey. Several followers of Girdhaji sang his popular inspiring songs as well on this ocassion with the audience clapping n singing in a participatory mode. Floral tributes were also paid to Girdha by sprinkling flower petal on his picture by every participant. Kindly recall Girdhaji was born on 10 th September 1945 and left for his, eternal home at the age of 65 on 22 nd August 2010. A scriptwriter, director, poet, lyricist, organic culturalist and social activist Girdha directed the famous plays like Andha Yug, Andher Nagari, Thank you Mr God and Bharat Durdasha.

A legendary figure highly respected in Uttarakhand for being a natural outspoken people’s poet Girdha has authored plays including Nagare Khamosh Hain, and Dhanush Yagya. He also edited Shikharon ke Swar in 1969 and thereafter Hamari Kavita ke Ankhar and Rang Dari Dio Albelien mein . He inspired the Uttarakhand’s movement activists by his revolutionary poems and songs which were published in 2002 followed by his voluntary retirement from Sing n Drama, Division to participate in Uttarakhand movement fully. He also conducted rickshaws in Lucknow n Aligarh and lived among them to understand and feel the grievances of the grass root people suffering from real life troubles and came forward as a people’s poet known as Jan Kavi of Uttarakhand. He came in contact with BM Shah the then director of NSD n down to earth personality who inspired Girdha more n more towards his becoming a street singer for Uttarakhand’s socio cultural causes and people’s grievances mobilising them to rise to fight for their basic n fundamental rights. Girdha despite being such a great personality led a life of a Malang and always remain connected with the grass root people till he was alive. Salutes.