Powada

Powada is also a genre of poetry popular in Uttarakhand, specifically that glorifies warriors. It is popular in Kumaun and Garhwal regions of the state and is sung, performed, or narrated on various occasions. It is also known as "Bhada"

Details

Powada during Maratha Empire

The composer-cum-singers of the powadas are known as Shahirs. The professional Powada singers formed a guild or caste called the Gondhalis. The earliest notable powada was The Killing of Afzal Khan (अफझल खानाचा वध) by Agnidas, which recorded Shivaji's encounter with Afzal Khan. The next notable powada was Tanaji Malusare (तानाजी मालुसरे ) by Tulsidas, which gave an account of the capture of Sinhagad Fort by Tanaji. Another notable contemporary powada was Baji Pasalkar (बाजी पासलकर ) by Yamaji Bhaskar. They are also mentioned in the 13th century Marathi scripture Dnyaneshwari.

During the Maratha Confederacy rule, several celebrated Shahir poet-singers, which include Ram Joshi (1762–1812), Anant Phandi (1744–1819), Honaji Bala (1754–1844) and Prabhakar (1769–1843) also composed powadas.

Powada during Independent India

During the 20th Century, Shahir Annabhau Sathe, Atmaram Patil and Shahir Amar Sheikh wrote powadas to inspire /support the mass movement for formation of unified Maharashtra State.

Shahir Bashir Momin Kavathekar is known for his popular Powada's that celebrate heroics of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Prataprao Gujar as well those celebrating the accomplishments of leaders in the Indian independence movement like Azad Hind Sena's Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, trailblazers in education/ social movements like Karmveer Dr. Bhaurao Patil. One of the Powada written by Lokshahir Bashir Momin Kavathekar is reproduced below for example:

भिमरायाने मोलाचा संदेश दिला I आम्ही ही स्वीकारली पंचशीला ll
त्या भिमाच्या रूपाने एक सूर्य उगविला l जीवनातला अंधार पार निघूनच गेला llध्रुll
दलितांना नव्हते पाणी, दलितांना नव्हती वाणी l माणूस एक असोनी जवळी ना घेती कोणी ll
परी ह्या भीमाने एक चमत्कारच केला ll१ll....