- One of the leading lights of the Awadhi tradition of Pakhawaj (Kudau Singh Gharana), Pagaldas was a master artist, belonging to an unbroken chain of ascetic-musicians.
- Guru Swami Haridas of Baiju Bawra is the most famous proponent of this school, Baba Allauddin Khan being another.
- In contemporary terms, Pagaldas was in the same class as Bismillah Khan (shehnai) and Pannalal Ghosh (flute).
Birth Details –
Place – Deoria, Uttar Pradesh
Date of Birth – 1920
Nationality – Indian
Teachers – Bhagwandasji, Baba Thakur Dasji and Shri Ram Mohini Sharanji
Early Life-
- Ramshankar Das, better known as Swami Pagal Das, was born on 15 August 1920 in village Majholi of Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh.
- He first learned Mridang under Late Nepal Singh Pitwans of Patna and then under Swami Bhagwandasji, Baba Thakur Dasji and Shri Ram Mohini Sharanji.
- Later he took tabla training from Pandit Santasharan ‘Mast’. Pandit-ji advised his young disciple to adopt ‘Pagal (mad)’ as his nom-de-plume to write his verses. The pen-name stuck to the poet-composer.
- You have been associated with stage acting for many decades and at the same time you have been learning Pakhawaj playing and singing.
- Among your teachers, names like Sarv Shri Ramkrishna Das, Swami Bhagwan Das, Thakur Das are worth mentioning.
- In Pakhawaj playing, you used to represent Maharaj Kudau Singh Gharana and Awaghi Gharana, earlier you used to play tabla also, but in 1962, leaving it, you devoted your life to making Pakhawaj a high place.
Career –
- Many disciples of Swami Pagal Das, who dedicated his life to education by establishing Hanumat Vishwa Sangeetashram in Ayodhya, are spread across the country and abroad. You had very little school education.
- But due to self-study and talent, you have written books named Mridang (three parts) and Tabla Komudi (three parts). You were a high performer of Akashvani.
Awards –
- Tal Vilas
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
- Mridang Kesari
- Pakhawaj Ratna
other information –
- Date of death – January 20, 1997
- Place – Ayodhya
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Question Related to Pagal Das
Where and when was Pagal Das born?
Pagal Das was born in 1920 in Deoria, Uttar Pardesh state.
Who was the teacher of Pagal Das?
Pagal Das’s teachers were Bhagwandasji, Baba Thakur Dasji and Shri Ram Mohini Sharanji.
What is the full name of Pagal Das?
Pagal Das’s whole was Ramshankar Das.
Which awards did Pagal Das get?
Pagal Das was awarded Taal Vilas, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Mridang Kesari, Pakhwaj Ratna.
When did Pagal Das die?
Pagal Das died on January 20, 1997 in Ayodhya
