Veteran folk tale artist 62-year-old Shri Bhikhudan Govindbhai Gadhvi will get the Sangeet Natak Akadami award(Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2009. His is one of the 33 names and one and only name from Gujarat announced by the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi for year 2009’s Akadami Puraskar.

Born in Junagadh district’s Manekwadi village near Keshod, Shri Gadhvi is active on stage for last 41 years. He started narrating folk tales in public when he was jsut 20. Bhikhudhanbhai’s 350 audio cassettes including ‘Bhadanu Makan’, ‘Khandaninu Khamir’ are super hit in Saurashtra belt. He has given his programmes in countries including America, Britain, Indonesia among others.

Talking with DeshGujarat, Shri Gadhvi said, “I was informed by Academy yesterday via telegram about my inclusion for the prestigious award.”

When asked from where he learned the skill of folk literature, Shri Gadhvi said he used to read Shri Zaverchand Meghani and Shri Dula Bhaya Kag with great interest in his teen-age. When he grew up he started exploring the land of Saurashtra himself to learn more about the folk culture and treasure of folk literature. “This exploration went on for years and it’s still going on,” said Shri Gadhvi.

Shri Bhikhudanbhai will be receiving Shri Dula Bhaya Kag award at Shri Kag’s native village Majagar by Shri Morari Bapu on 18th February, anniversary of Shri Kag.

Watch Dayro of Shri Bhikhudan Gadhvi and Praful Dave(Video)