At a time when modern entertainment dominates cultural spaces, the story of Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya, one of the unsung heroes of this year’s Padma Awards, stands as a powerful reminder of Bharat’s rich yet fragile artistic heritage. Honoured with the Padma Shri, the 94-year-old artist from Gujarat’s Vadodara has spent more than seven decades preserving and performing the rare Gujarati storytelling tradition known as Manbhatt Akhyan.

Pandya is widely regarded as perhaps the last surviving master of this ancient art form which is an oral tradition that blends music, storytelling, rhythm, and devotion. His recognition is not merely a personal achievement but a national acknowledgement of an art form that now stands on the brink of extinction.

A life devoted to storytelling

Pandya’s journey into the world of Manbhatt began in his youth, inspired by traditional storytellers and guided by intense self-discipline. Over the years, he mastered the intricate art of Akhyan, which involves narrating Dharmic tales through song, expression, and rhythm. Unlike conventional storytelling, Manbhatt is a deeply immersive performance where the artist sings, acts, and creates music simultaneously.

Using a simple copper or brass pot filled with water, known as a maan, Pandya produces rhythmic beats while narrating stories from Dharmic Granthas like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and various Puranas. This minimalistic yet powerful style transforms storytelling into a spiritual and emotional experience.

Pandya preserving a 400-year-old tradition

The Manbhatt tradition has roots stretching back several centuries. This tradition was once flourishing between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, in particular. Today, however, it is nearly extinct. Pandya’s lifelong dedication has ensured that this art form survives, even if precariously.

Over his career, he has performed more than 2,500 Akhyans across Bharat and abroad, bringing Gujarati culture to audiences in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. His performances are not just artistic expressions but cultural preservation efforts.

In addition to performing, Pandya has contributed to the documentation and teaching of the tradition. He has authored books on Akhyan and trained younger generations through dedicated institutions and personal mentorship. His sons and grandsons have also taken up the art, ensuring that the lineage continues, albeit in a limited way.

Art with a social purpose

What makes Pandya’s work especially significant is how he has adapted traditional storytelling to address modern issues. While rooted in Dharma, his performances have also carried messages about social awareness.

Through his Akhyans, he has spoken about themes such as women’s empowerment (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao), environmental conservation, and the dangers of addiction. In doing so, he has transformed a traditional art form into a medium of social education, thereby bridging the past with the present.

Recognition after decades of quiet work

Despite his immense contribution, Pandya remained largely outside mainstream recognition for most of his life. Like many folk artists, his work was sustained by passion rather than publicity.

The Padma Shri awarded this year finally brought national attention to his decades of dedication of this unsung hero. The honour recognizes his personal excellence while also highlighting the cultural importance of preserving indigenous art forms.

Even in recognition, Pandya has remained humble. He has often credited his Guru, his father, and the great literary figures of Gujarat for shaping his journey, emphasizing that the award belongs to the tradition itself rather than to him alone.

A living cultural legacy

Pandya’s story is not just one an artist. Rather, it is the story of resilience, devotion, and cultural continuity. In an era where oral traditions are rapidly fading, his life’s work serves as a bridge between generations.

He has repeatedly emphasized the need to include traditional arts like Manbhatt in educational curricula, believing that only institutional support can ensure their survival. Without such efforts, many of these art forms risk disappearing entirely.

Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya embodies the spirit of Bharat’s intangible cultural heritage. His life reflects a rare combination of artistic mastery, humility, and unwavering commitment to tradition.

The Padma Shri recognition is not just a tribute to one man, but a wake-up call to preserve the countless art forms that define Bharat’s Dharmic and cultural identity. Pandya’s voice, echoing through the rhythmic beats of a simple metal pot, reminds us that even the quietest traditions can carry the deepest meaning. By honouring him, Bharat has honoured its own heritage.

(Featured Image Source: Times of India)