Shahir Vitthal Umap
Encyclopedia
Shahir Vitthal Umap was a folk singer who died while performing at a function in Nagpur
on a Friday evening, November 2010. Umap, a follower of BR Ambedkar
, collapsed while he was onstage at Nagpur’s famous Dikshabhoomi. He was rushed to a private nursing home where he was declared dead. Born in a Mumbai
chawl
in 1931, Umap struggled for recognition of the neglected folk genres of Maharashtra
. He had toured extensively all over the state to keep alive the folk traditions.
Umap had won the first prize at the International Folk Music and Art Festival at Cork
, Ireland
. His roles in Shyam Benegal
’s TV series Bharat Ek Khoj
and Jabbar Patel
’s film Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
won him further laurels. He was nominated for the best actor's award for his performance in a Marathi film Tingya
two years ago.
He composed music for several films, serials and dramas. He was also a part of popular stage shows Khandobacha Lagin, Gadhwacha Lagna, Jambhool Akhyan and Me Marathi.
After years of wait, Umap was recently given a house under the artistes’ quota.
At a cultural programme three months ago, a frustrated Umap declared that he was fed up with making innumerable requests to the government. “I don’t think I will get a house in my lifetime,” he had said.
Then chief minister Ashok Chavan
had earlier sanctioned plush houses to many artistes — several of them lower in stature than Umap.
Then deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal
, who was present at the show, vowed that he would get the singer a flat and fulfilled his promise within a fortnight.
Nagpur
Nāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
on a Friday evening, November 2010. Umap, a follower of BR Ambedkar
B. R. Ambedkar
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar , popularly also known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, political leader, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, scholar, editor, a revolutionary and one of the founding fathers of independent India. He was also the Chairman...
, collapsed while he was onstage at Nagpur’s famous Dikshabhoomi. He was rushed to a private nursing home where he was declared dead. Born in a Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
chawl
Chawl
A chawl is a name for a type of building found in India. They are often 4 to 5 stories with about 10 to 20 tenements, referred to as kholis, which literally mean 'rooms' on each floor...
in 1931, Umap struggled for recognition of the neglected folk genres of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. He had toured extensively all over the state to keep alive the folk traditions.
Umap had won the first prize at the International Folk Music and Art Festival at Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His roles in Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal is a prolific Indian director and screenwriter. With his first four feature films Ankur , Nishant Manthan and Bhumika he created a new genre, which has now come to be called the "middle cinema" in India although he himself has expressed dislike in the term preferring his work to...
’s TV series Bharat Ek Khoj
Bharat Ek Khoj
Bharat Ek Khoj is a 53-episode television series that dramatically unfolds the 5000 year history of India from its beginnings to the coming of independence in 1947...
and Jabbar Patel
Jabbar Patel
Dr. Jabbar Patel is a theatre and film director of India. His production of the play Vijay Tendulkar's play Ghashiram Kotwal, in 1973 is considered a classic in Modern Indian Theatre....
’s film Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (film)
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is a 2000 Indian feature film in English language, directed by Jabbar Patel. The film tells the story of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, known mainly for his contributions in shaping the Constitution of India, as the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constituent Assembly...
won him further laurels. He was nominated for the best actor's award for his performance in a Marathi film Tingya
Tingya
Tingya is a 2008 Marathi-language movie. It is the directorial début of Mangesh Hadawale. The movie is based on a life of a rural boy and his love and friendship with his bull. It concentrates on the hardships faced by the farmers in the state of Maharashtra, India...
two years ago.
He composed music for several films, serials and dramas. He was also a part of popular stage shows Khandobacha Lagin, Gadhwacha Lagna, Jambhool Akhyan and Me Marathi.
After years of wait, Umap was recently given a house under the artistes’ quota.
At a cultural programme three months ago, a frustrated Umap declared that he was fed up with making innumerable requests to the government. “I don’t think I will get a house in my lifetime,” he had said.
Then chief minister Ashok Chavan
Ashok Chavan
Ashok Shankarrao Chavan was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Chavan was sworn in on 8 December 2008, after his political party, the Indian National Congress and Vilasrao Deshmukh selected him to be Vilasrao Deshmukh's successor on 5 December 2008. He earlier served as Minister for Cultural...
had earlier sanctioned plush houses to many artistes — several of them lower in stature than Umap.
Then deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal
Chhagan Bhujbal
Chhagan Bhujbal is a politician from the state of Maharashtra, India. At present he is Minister of Public Works & Special Assistance Department, Maharashtra State and Guardian Minister, Nashik District; Member of Legislative Assembly, Yeola Assembly ; Constituency...
, who was present at the show, vowed that he would get the singer a flat and fulfilled his promise within a fortnight.