Biography:

Pandit Prasad Sawkar (14 December 1928 – 17 June 2026)[1] was an Indian vocalist, and scholar of Indian classical, semi-classical, and devotional music. He received prestigious Padma Shri award in the year 2006 for his work in music and Sangeet Natak.

Early life and background

Sambaprasad Raghuvir Sawkar was born in Baroda, Gujarat, in a family of musicians and actors hailing from Goa. His father, Raghuvir Sawkar, was a singer and actor who was famous for acting a ladies character in the play who was known as Rangdevta. He took his formal education in music and acting from his father. Later he came under the influence of great musicians such as Jitendra Abhisheki and Nivruttibuwa Sarnaik.[2]

Career

Sawkar acted as child artist in the play Jinjihun Sutka (जिंजीहून सुटका) as Bal Shivaji at the start of career in Marathi theatre. Later he went to his uncle Dattaram Sawkar for school education at Mhapsa who was also a harmonium player. Sawkar continued getting training of music over there. He played a role of ‘Kruttika’ in the play “Sanshay Kallol”. He also made a record by playing four characters in the same play namely Kruttika, Sadhu, Singer and Vaishakh Sheth. Later he played in plays like Soubhadra, Mruchchakatik, Vidyharan, Manapman with “Kala Mandir” organization.

Sawkar played important roles with the organization “Natyniketan” in the plays like Rambha, Kulvadhu, Kone eke kali, Ek hota Mhatara, Lagnachi Bedi etc.

He also made career in Marathi Cinema which includes Pedgaoche Shahane, Gora Kumbhar.

The period between 1960 and 1972 is known for the revival of Sangeet natak (play) in the industry. Sawkar played a major role in this. He was instrumental by acting in “Panditrao Jagannath” and “Suvarnatula” which got wide popularity. He started getting recognized by popular singer cum actor on the stage with this. In the year 1967, he played the role of “Sadashiv” in the play Katyar kaljat ghusli and worked closely with Purushottam Darvhekar, Jitendra Abhisheki and Vasantrao Deshpande. The song Ghei chand makarand is known as a milestone in the musical plays.

Sawkar travelled to United States with his wife in 1972 and played small roles in his plays over there which also became very popular.[3]

Credits: