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I am very happy. My dedication in this field for the past six decades has been recognized
- Tulshidas Borkar
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PONDA: Pandit Tulshidas Borkar (81), noted harmonium player and music maestro of Goa, is the lone Goan to be selected for the prestigious Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the country.
“I am very happy. My dedication in this field for the past six decades has been recognized,” said a jubilant Borkar, while speaking to The Goan over phone from his residence in Mumbai.
“It is an honour for my harmonium, Shree Navdurga, Brahmchaitanya Shree Gondvalekar Maharaj, Gurujans and the Goa state,” he added.
Born in Borim on November 18, 1934, Borkar started his musical journey at the age of 5 and has gone on to perform with several maestros of India, including Chhota Gandharva, Pt Mallikarjun Mansur, Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Amir Kha Saheb, Kishori Amonkar, Pt Jitedra Abhisheki, Nirmala Arun, Pt Ram Marathe and Padmavati Shaligram.
Speaking to The Goan, Borkar said he was very pleased on being awarded with the Padma Shri, which has honoured his dedication to the harmonium and music.
Asked why an artiste leaves Goa to become accomplished musician or singer, Borkar replied: “We find very few ‘gurus’ here to teach and hence, one is forced to leave the state to pursue further training in music.”
When asked if he felt the need for a ‘Gurukul’ system in Goa, he replied in the positive.
“It is definitely needed. But one should have the will power to set up a Gurukul in Goa. Kala Academy has given some Gurus to students, but much more is needed in Goa,” he said.
“I wanted to teach students from Goa. I had even started classes in Bandora, but students were not seen with dedication. In music, one should have dedication,” he added.
Commenting on his decision to leave Goa and proceed to Pune, he said: “Poverty was the main purpose. It was in 1948 that one barrister Khajgiwala was in Goa and he wanted children for his ‘natak company'. My elder sister, Nalini Borkar, our mother Jayshreebai and I left with him to Pune. My sister worked for him,” he recalled.
“After the Mahesh Sangeeet Natak Akademi of the barrister was shut down, my sister joined the Kalavikas group and I got my second Guru there. The late Vishnupanth Vasht was playing organ at that time. He fulfilled my wish to learn the harmonium and then I started learning from him,” Borkar added.
Besides a number of prestigious awards to his credit, Borkar has also described his life and times in an autobiographical book 'Saathsangat'.
When asked to deliver a message to budding musicians in Goa, Borkar replied: “They should be dedicated in their field and should not run after name, fame and money. Don’t expect anything while you learn. I am still learning and will always learn.”
The Padma Shri (also Padmashree) is the fourth highest civilian award in the country, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.
