Artist: Velabhai Gana
Folk instrument(s) : Santar.
Vocals: Mystic poetry of Khadir region and bhajans of Kabir and Meerabai
Village: Khadir, Kachchh.
“Even I can’t keep the count of the number of bhajans I can sing. Once I sit with my Santar in the night to perform at Reyans, I just hum and flow with the mysticism of the poetry of Kabir, Gorakhwani and other ascetics until the night turns into morning with the arrival of the first sunlight.”
Full of soul, Velabhai, a 58 year old folk music artist from Ghadhada village, Kachchh, is well known for his stirring recitals of mystic poetry of the ascetics who roamed the deserts of the region. He also specialises in the Bhajans of Kabir and Meerabai.
And stuck a chord with many an audience throughout his 44 year music career. Velabhai has given over 1000 performances till date travelling all over Kachchh and India.
Very few artists in Kachchh get a chance to perform at celebrated venues across India. Where the folk music and the artist are truly understood and appreciated. Kala Varso helped Velabhai to get platforms to perform at such venues. “A true moment of reckoning it was for me and my music to be able to be to get a chance to perform at esteemed cultural and folk-music events. Experiences like this help bring more awareness to Kutch Folk Music traditions. And this in turn sustains the folk music traditions and the artists.” says Velabhai.
‘Hire Kaya Veldi’. Seen in the video is Vela Gana playing the traditional stringed instrument, Santar, and also performing to the song ‘Hire Kaya Veldi’, a folk song from the Bhajan genre of Gorakhnath’s mystic poetry.
Velabhai presented Kutch folk music in Indian cinema too, by lending his voice and tunes to sing Kutch poetry in some of the movies. He also has been awarded with couple of awards including a life-time achievement award by Fokia.
In addition, Velabhai is helping Kala Varso to mentor young folk-music artists from Khadir bet region to ensure the rich folk-music heritage of the region transcends the present challenging circumstances. “But I would expect something in return for my service” says Velabhai.
Vela Bhagat is passionate about passing his knowledge to the next generation of folk musicians. And he wants other experienced artists also to take up the role of mentoring the young artists. But he requests financial help to these artists-cum-teachers so that their living is not hindered. And more importantly they would feel validated as an artist. Many of the senior artists still work as labourers to sustain their family. This support would motivate the elders to join the movement to save the heritage of Kutch Folk Music.
On the end note, Velabhai requests Kala Varso to develop a well-equipped folk-music centre in Khadir-bet region that facilities young artists and children to learn various folk instruments and genres of Kutch under the guidance of a guru