Late Marathi folk artist Shahir Vitthal Umap was a legend while he lived and years after his death in 2010 as well. The artist would have been 89 today if he were amidst us. His powada’s have taught us about culture, about our legacy, and showed us the different meanings of Marathi folk art. Actor Siddharth Jadhav who has been awarded the very first Shahir Vitthal Umap Award recently shared his tribute to the artist.
Siddharth writes, “भीम गौरव गीते, कोळीगीते, तुकोबाचे अभंग, जांभुळाख्यानासारखी दुर्लक्षीत लोककथा, संपूर्ण लोक कला साहित्य सराईतपणे हाताळत ‘बाबा’ आपल्या काळजाचा ठाव घ्यायचे… प्रतिभावंत लोककलावंत, अभिनेते, गीतकार शाहीर 'विठ्ठल उमप' यांच्या ८९ व्या जयंती निमित्त त्यांना विनम्र अभिवादन !
"बाबा" तुमच्या नावानं सुरु झालेल्या " लोक शाहीर विठ्ठल उमप पुरस्काराचा" पहिला मानकरी होण्याचा मान मला मिळालं हे मी माझं भाग्य समजतो”
The late artist passed away in 2010 after a massive cardiac arrest, shortly before his performance at the historic Deeksha Bhoomi ground. The artist lived his whole life dedicated to the art and he passed away on his karmabhoomi. Actor Siddharth Jadhav salutes his spirit.
Image Source:instagram/siddharth23oct