Ramdas Shantaram Kamat was a veteran singer actor and Indian musician, who worked in Marathi Sangeet and theatre.
Born in then Portuguese Goa, in Mapusa, the trinity of integrity, honesty and beauty in his voice earned him a place in the public mind. Ramdas, a B.A with Honours in Economics had a simple, straightforward nature and was very disciplined, punctual and friendly. He was strict about his exercise, walking and riyaz which he passed on to his disciples.
Ramdas excelled in all forms of music, be it light music, film or folk music and left an indelible mark, and served Marathi musical theatre selflessly for over six decades. Carving his own niche as an actor and singer in the professional Marathi music scene, he made his mark not only in theatre music but also in emotional music, film music and folk music. He left behind a rich legacy for the new generation to emulate.
He lent a different colour to the acting and expression of theatrical music required in a play, where clear diction and melodious, sweet, transparent voice are important characteristics, and he used to prepare well for any event. An eminent sculptor of the golden age of musical drama, his devotional singing also captured the hearts of the fans.
He learnt music from his elder brother Upendra since childhood. He later underwent training in drama, music and acting from Pandit Govind Buwa Agni, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Prabhakar Pendharkar and Bhalchandra Pendharkar. He learned devotional songs from Yashwant Dev. Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, polished this diamond and presented him to the world.
Ramdas started his career in musical theatre with the play Sangeet Sanshay Kallol of the Goa Hindu Association. After that he acted in about 18 musical plays like Sangeet Sharda, Sangeet Saubhadra, Sangeet Manapaman, Sangeet Madanachi Manjiri, Sangeet Echcha Pyala, Sangeet Mandarmala and Sangeet Honaji Bala. Sangeet Matsyagandha is his most popular play and many of his plays like Guntata Hridaya Hai, Nakho Ghiru Sanket Meelanacha, and Tama Nishache Sarla are popular.
Many songs of his like, Nako Visaru Sanket Milanacha, Prathama Tuj Pahata, Jan Vijan Jhale Amha, Ambaratlya Neelya Ghanachi Shapat Tula, Phulavit Yere Pisara, Sriranga Kamalakanta, Deva Tuja Mi Sonar are eternal in the hearts of fans. He taught theatre music for many years at Rangsharada Institute. He also directed music plays of Lokmanya Seva Sangh in Vile Parle.
He received many awards, but he was always humble about it. They included the Maharashtra Government Akheel Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad’s Bal Gandharva Puraskar, Pune Chichwad Municipal Corporations` Bal Gandharva Puraskar, Chhota Gandharva Puraskar at Koregaon, Akheel Bharatiya Natya Parishad’s Jitendra Abhisheki Puraskar, Yashwantrao Prathishthan’s Swara Raaj Chhota Gandharva Puraskar, Manipal T M A Pai Foundation’s Outstanding Konkani Puraskar, Parle Bhushan Puraskar, Mumbai Swara Sanman Puraskar on World Music Day, Maharashtra Government Balwant Pandurang aka Annasaheb Kirloskar Sangeet Rangabhoomi Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar, New Delhi’s Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2015, Uttung Puraskar Vile Parle Mumbai, and Maharashtra Government Saunskrutik Puraskar.
In 2009, he also served as the President of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Sammelam. Having completed successful 60 years of musical career, while juggling it with his job with Air India, he was a hero who enthralled the youth for many years.
Until the end, he had a desire to teach to those who were passionate about music. An ascetic gem in musical theatre Pandit Ramdas, passed away in Vile Parle, Mumbai aged 90. His death is a great loss to the music and arts sector. There is no doubt that he will remain in the hearts of fans for eternity!
[column size=”5/5″]
A. Radhakrishnan is a Pune based freelance writer, poet and short story writer.
[/column]