Datta Walvekar

'Datta Walvekar' is

Dr. Datta Walvekar Welknown Marathi Singer and Music Director

Born on March 30, 1928 in Belgaon ( state of Karnatak) Died on March 16, 2010 in Pune by old age.

Datta Walvekar was not only a well-known Marathi Singer, Music Director, but also a good Teacher, Literature, Photographer, Painter, and an expert Homeopath. Datta Walvekar was a good Music Guru. He never learnt classical music, but surprisingly his musical compositions were having strong base of Hindustani classical music.

Back Ground

Popularly known as ‘Master Datta’ in the decade of 1950s. The then Columbia Company released his two Records of the songs composed by himself 40 RPM in 1950. Some of these songs sung by him, were in the female voice even. Datta Walvekar was mainly known as “Bhavgeet Gayak”( Light Music Singer) in those days. Marathi poetry was read in the years of 1920 to 1940, by Ravikiran mandal. Then Singers like G. N. Joshi, Gajanan Watve started performing live public programs of singing the poetry, which was called as “Bhavgeet Gayan”. These singers practically took the poetry in to the format of songs and started singing for huge audiences.

These programs used to be staged in the big gatherings named “Melas”. Master Datta came to Karad at the age of 6, in 1944. There he started acting in Marathi Plays, also started singing at the age of 14, in gatherings of social, cultural platforms of Melas. Master Datta started his career as a singer, by imitating his idol, Gajanan Watve, in the year 1948.

Careear as an actor

Master Datta also acted in Marathi Plays like “Yudhdhachya Sawlya” written by Gajanan Digambar Madgulkar, Popoularly known as Ga. Di. Ma., and “Lagnachi Bedi,” written by Pralhad Keshav Atre, and enacted by Veteran actor Bapurao Mane. Master Datta was fortunate enough to have company of big personalities. His contemporary singers were Babanrao Nawdikar, Govind Kurwalikar, Kumudini Pednekar etc.

Contribution on Radio

Datta Walvekar also directed many musicals on All India Radio, Pune and Mumbai. He composed songs for the programs of Doordarshan Mumbai. He was given a musical play to direct by the then Producer of All India Radio , Mr. Sitakant Lad, for the Inaugural function of New Building of All India Radio in Pune. Style and type of Singing

Most important features of the singing style of Datta Walvekar, was his melodious voice. In his early twenties, he used to sing the songs of female origin also. His clear pronunciation of the words, melodious presentation with the emotions, used to impress the audiences on large scale. Public Performances

In those days of 1950 and 1960, the meaningful Marathi poetry and songs were presented by the legendary singers like Datta Walvekar and Gajanan Watve, before the audience of thousands in all parts of Maharashtra.

In the public functions of Ganesh Festivals, Navratri or any other religious functions, he used to present a bouquet of love songs, patriotic songs as well as the comic songs to satisfy the demand from his fans and audiences. It was the time, when there were no TV Channels and no other ways of entertainment like after the year 1990. All India Radio was the only electronic Medium of entertaining and informing the audiences. Out of the public Performing Arts, Drama, Folk dance, Folk Music and Classical as well as Semi Classical Music was performed in close door or out door Programs before thousands of the fans. Master Datta was not only appreciated because of his sweet voice, by the audiences, but was flooded with the offers of the Public programs from various parts of the state.

Datta Walvekar had performed his musical programs and songs by himself, with his troupe, in almost all the states of India and all districts of Maharashtra.

Idols and Icons

Master Datta Walvekar, since his Young years, was a die hard fan of great literature Gajanan Digambar Madgulkar, Actor Singer Balagandharva, and Music Director Shriniwas Khale. He used to call them as his Gods. Other Career

Datta Walvekar completed his education in the Linguistic, with his research on Khatri Language, he got Doctorate from University of Pune in 1976, under the guidance Dr. R. S. Walimbe. Datta Walvekar also served in Public Works Department of Government of Maharashtra, in New English School, in Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce Pune, as a Teacher and Lecturer. He had hobbies like Photography, Painting and also writing short stories and Radio Plays. He had painted cover pages of some Magazines and Periodicals in Marathi. He had written many short stories, published in many periodicals like Bua, Jatra, Vahini, Maher, Menaka, Sakal.

Publications

He wrote his autobiography “ Pushpavin Kalpataru”, which was published by Shrividya Prakashan in Pune in 2007, in the hands of Music Director Shriniwas Khale and Singer Gajanan Watwe. His second book “Kshatra Boli” was a developed version of his research on Khatri Language and community.

Younger generation always used to seek his advice on practicing music and doing regular “Riyaz”, of singing with emotion and expression in voice, with maximum importance to the words in poetry and literary compositions of the songs. He was often invited to many musical concerts and competitions as Chief Guest and Judge.

Awards and Felicitations

Datta Walvekar was awarded Ph. D. by University Of Pune in 1976, for his Researh on Khatri Language.

He was awarded the Life Time Achievement award by All India Marathi Literary Meet in Pune in 2003 and All India Marathi Theatre meet at Karad in 2006, for his outstanding contributions in Music and Theatre.

He was also felicitated by All India Kshatriya Community, Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune Marathi Granthalaya, Deccan Education Society, Vithal Rakhumai Devasthan - Shrikshetra Pandharpur, for his contribution in Music.