Bashir Kamruddin Momin (1 March 1947 – 12 November 2021), also known as Bashir Momin Kavathekar and popularly known by his pen name Momin Kavathekar, also known as Lokshahir B. K. Momin Kavathekar, was a popular Marathi language poet and writer who promoted sanitation, literacy, and social reforms through his literatures. His work involved raising public awareness to tackle issues like dowry system, female foeticide, alcohol addiction and blind following of superstitions.Dr. Sheshrao Patahde. "लोकमान्य लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर Lokamnya Lokshahir Momin Kavathekar", "Punya Nagari- a Marathi Daily", Mumbai, 28-Nov-2021 Many of his devotional songs (bhaktigit / aarati) adore the Hindu God & Goddess. He was closely associated with Maharashtra's traditional form of theatre Tamasha for almost 50 years; supporting the various Tamasha troupes by providing them with folk songs like 'Lavani', 'Gan Gavalan', 'Bhedic' and short plays called 'Vaga-Natya'.Dr. Shyamal Garud -Mumbai University. "Lok Shahir Momin Kavathekar", 'Punyanagari', Published on 15-May-2016 For his contribution to the field of folk art, literature and culture, he was awarded the 'Vithabai Narayangaonkar Lifetime Achievement Award' बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर यांना विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कार जाहीर "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily", 2-Jan-2019आयुष्यभराच्या निरपेक्ष सेवेचा गौरव- लोकशाहीर बशीर मोमीन यांच्या भावना "Saamana, a leading Marathi Daily”, 1-March-2019 by the Government of Maharashtra in 2018.कला क्रीडा व सन उत्सव - पंचायत समिती जुन्नर
Biography
Early life Momin Kavathekar (बशीर कमरुद्दीन मोमीन / लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर) was born on 1-March-1948 at Kavathe, a small village in drought prone western Maharashtra, into a Muslim weaver family. Addition of Kavathekar to the surname and adopting it as part of pen name indicates the proud association of family with the village where the ancestors has lived for centuries. Due to patronage by Maratha Empire since late 18th century, the village had been thriving in the crafts and performing arts; and became home to many artist associated with ‘Jagaran Gondhal’, ‘Bharud’, ‘Tamasha’ [all local folk arts]. Momin Kavathekar's fascination in these artists developed gradually as a child because he grew up watching them perform at village functions, during their rehearsals prior to the stage- shows.
Education Momin Kawathekar completed his education from a Marathi Medium school. Due to non-availability of the higher secondary school in the village, all the students had to trek 10 km to a nearby village called ‘Loni-Dhamani’. Due to health issues, he gave up the school after completing the 8th standard and started helping his family in the business.
Professional life Momin Kavthekar wrote his first song at the age of 11 years. Audience applauded when he performed this song at his school function. This inspired him to continue & explore his writing skills. At young age, he joined the Tamasha troupe of ‘Gangaram Kavathekar’ where he got exposure to the expectations of the rural audience, their preferences for entertainment and the difficulties faced by artist/troupes/operators. He acted in short plays (Vag Natya) and drama. He had the honor of playing roles of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the drama "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat" & "Netaji Palakar", as well the role of rival Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in "Bhangale Swapna Maharashtra"; which were performed by 'Natya Zankar Group' at Bharat Natya Mandir, Pune during 1970s.Prof. Suhas Joshi, [भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा - एक चांगला नाट्यप्रयोग], “विशाल सह्याद्री, पुणे, 27-Feb-1977” He made his debut as Director in 1981 by directing a historical play, "Pratapgadachi Zunj". During free time, he used to pen down couplets/ short folk songs/ Lavani etc. which were performed on the Tamasha shows. However, his folk songs & short plays received huge appreciation from audience and his work become popular amongst the rural areas.“गंगारामबुवा कवठेकर”, “Maharashtra Times”, 20-Feb-2016 Popularity of his songs earned him fame and various Tamasha troupes/operators started flocking down to Kavathe (his hometown), to obtain new songs/ Vag Natya.शंकर रत्नपारखी. “जागृतदेवस्थान येमाईदेवी”, "Prabhat- a Marathi Daily", Pune, 1-Sept-1985. He got associated with the other Tamasha troupes such as ‘Kalu-Balu Kavalapurkar’, ‘Raghuveer Khedkar & Kantabai Satarkar’, ‘Aman Tambe’, ‘Lakshman Takalikar’ and ‘Datta Mahadik Punekar’ who regularly used Moin's folk songs and VagNatya."विठाबाई नारायणगावकर पुरस्कारासाठी उमेदवाराची निवड योग्य "Maharashtra Today", 13 February 2019 Tamasha troupes anchored by Lawani performers such as 'Sandhya Mane', 'Mangla Bansode', 'Lata - Surekha Punekar' etc. preferred to use the Lawani's written by Momin Kavathekar in their performance." लावणीवर संशोधन",, "News18 Marathi News Channel", 11-Oct-2025 However, he never charged any royalty/ fees from these Tamasha operators for the songs/lyrics or Vag Natya he used to provide them.“रसिकांना मिळणारा आनंद हाच खरा पुरस्कार- बी.के. मोमीन”,Sakal, Pune, 17-Aug-2014.लोकसाहित्यिक बी.के.मोमीन यांचा सत्कार Sakal, 30-Aug-2019. Short plays written with intention to spread mass awareness about AIDS or combating the prevailing social evils like dowry, illiteracy etc. earned the affection of masses.“मोमीन यांनी समाजच्या वेदना साहित्यातून मांडल्या - गृहमंत्री वळसे पाटील”, "Punya Nagari", Pune, 23-Nov-2021. With the advent of Television/ Radio/VCR/ Cable, the Tamasha as ventures started to face difficulty due to dwindling earnings. During this phase, he worked on digitalization options and came up with couple of Musical Audio Albums (CDs). He also guided many troupes/owners to adapt the new technological changes for marketing purpose."सोशल नेटवर्किंगवरून आता तमाशाचे मार्केटिंग" , "Divya Marathi", Published on 2-March-2014] He has also written songs for the Marathi Movie 'VIP Gadhav' which features noted comedian Bhau Kadam aka Bhalchandra Kadam as lead actor"भाऊ कदम यांचे 'व्हीआयपी गाढव'","Loksatta", 11-Aug-2019"भाऊ कदम आता नव्या रंगात अन् नव्या ढंगात येणार तुमच्या समोर!","Maharashtra Kesari". 6-Aug-2019 & upcoming movie 'Bhaucha Dhakka'." देवळ्यात ‘एकदम पक्का-भाऊचा धक्का’ चे चित्रीकरण!","Sakal", 09-Oct-2023
Death Momin Kawthekar died in Pune on November 12, 2021, after a career in literature and journalism that spanned for five decades.ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन कालवश "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 12-Nov-2021अवलिया लोकसाहित्यिक "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily", Pune, 20-Nov-2021ज्येष्ठ लोककलावंत आणि साहित्यिक बी.के. मोमीन यांचं निधन "Mumbai tak, a leading Marathi News Portal”, 12-Nov-2021Momin Kavthekar:ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक मोमीन कवठेकर यांचे निधन "Pudhari, a leading Marathi Daily”, Pune, 12-Nov-2021ज्येष्ठ साहित्यिक बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर काळाच्या पडद्याआड; साहित्य विश्वाला पन्नास वर्षांचे योगदान "Lokmat, a leading Marathi news portal", Pune, 12-Nov-2021
Works B. K. Momin (Kavathekar) has written more than 4000 folk songs which were /are being performed by local artist over the years.Ms Lata Guthe, लोकगीतं हा भारतीय संस्कृतीचा खजिना…, “Prahar- A leading Marathi News Paper", 16-Feb-2025” He wrote a wide range of songs like ‘Lavani’, ‘Gan’, ‘Gavlan’, ‘Poems’, ‘Devotional Songs’ and ‘Songs on social issues/ reforms’."अवलिया लोकसाहित्यीक", "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily", Pune, 21-Nov-2021.Dilawar Shaikh. “Baghu Naka Mukhada Valu Valu- Lavani Collection”, Contribution of Muslim Shahir’s, Page -116, Nirmiti Publication Kolhapur, 2021 His folk songs and Lavani's helped Maharashtra folk art 'Tamasha' to sustain its popularity for over half century. His use of folkloric narrative styles has helped in popularizing and making his work understandable & accessible to common man & communities."Lokashray Labhalele Lok Shahir B. K. Momin-Kavathekar", "Pudhari", Published on 23-Apr-2015 He has written plays based on historical figures and events. He has written short stories, street plays, songs on the social subjects like ‘Praudh Saksharta Abhiyan – National Literacy Mission Programme’, ‘Gram Swachchta Abhiyan & Swatch Bharat Abhiyan – Sanitation & Cleanliness Drive by Govt’, ‘awareness about AIDS’, ‘ill effect of dowry’, 'female feticide', 'alcohol addiction' etc. and presented/performed them across rural Maharashtra.Khanduraj Gaykwad, लेखणीतून ग्रामीण लोककला संपन्न करणारे- बशीर मोमीन कवठेकर! , "Navakal, 20-Jan-2019"
Drama “भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा (Bhangale Swapn Maharashtra)”--- Play based on the events during reign of Maratha warrior-king Rajaram against the Mughal empireबशीर मोमीन – कवठेकरः कोंबड्या विकण्यापासून जीवनगौरव पुरस्कारापर्यंत "कोलाज- फिचर वेबसाईट", Published on 16-Jan-2019 “वेडात मराठे वीर दौडले सात (Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat)” –-- Play based on Maratha general Shri Pratparao Gujjar lead battle at Nesari. “लंका कुणी जाळली (Lanka Kuni Jalali)”
Street Plays on social issues
Some of these were also performed / broadcast on the Radio from All India Radio/ Aakashvani Kendra, Pune. “सोयऱ्याला धडा शिकवा (Soyaryala dhada shikawa) ”—Awareness in society about ills of Dowry“बुवांची ढोलकी आणि भाईंची गाणी राज्यभर गाजली…!!! समाज जागृती साठी आयुष्य वेचणारे गंगारामबुवा कवठेकर व बी. के. मोमीन कवठेकर” , ‘Pune Prime News’, 09-Nov-2022 “हुंड्या पायी घटल सार (Hundya payi ghadale saar) ”—Awareness to prohibit/stop tradition of Dowry.“बी के मोमीन यांचे साहित्य लोकजागृती करणारे - गृहमंत्री वळसे पाटील”, "Lokmat", Pune, 22-Nov-2021. "दारू सुटली चालना भेटली (Daru sutali, chalana bhetali) "—Awareness to prohibit/stop young generation from alcohol addiction "दारूचा झटका संसाराला फटका (Darucha Zataka, Sansarala Fatak) "—Awareness of social problems arising due to addiction of alcohol. "मनाला आला एड्स टाळा (Manala Aala AIDS tala) "—Awareness in society about causes of AIDS and its effect on health, family life. "बुवाबाजी ऐका माझी (Buvabaji aika majhi) "—Awareness in society for eradication of Blind Faith & to fight superstition. "वंशाला दिवा...कशाला हवा? (Vanshala Diva, Kashala Hava?)" - Bringing out achivements of Daughter/females, to promote cause of "Save Girl Child"
Vag Natya "बाईने दावला इंगा (Bai ne dawala enga)" "ईश्कान घेतला बळी (Eshkane ghetala bali)" "तांबड फुटलं रक्ताचं (Tambada Futala Raktacha)" "फुटला पाझर पाषाणाला (Futala Pazar Pashanala)" "ठकास महाठक (Thakas Mahathak)" "भंगले स्वप्न महाराष्ट्रा (Bhangale Swapna Maharashtra)" "भक्त कबीर (Bhakt Kabeer)" "राया हौस माझी पुरी करा (Raya, Haus Mazi Puri Kara)" "सुशीला, मला माफ कर (Sushila mala maaf kar)" – Received ‘Chotu Juwekar Award (1980)’ "दादा, खुर्ची सांभाळा (Dada, Khurchi Sambhala)
Songs popularized by ‘Tamasha troupes’ "सार हायब्रीड झाल...(Sar hybrid zal)"“आधुनिकतेची नस पकडणारा शाहीर”, "Sakal", Mumbai, 31-Jan-2019.Dr. Bhaskar Shelake. "LokSahitya Sanshodhan”, Pune, 2012 "हे असच चालायचं... (He asach chalaych" "खर नाही काही हल्लीच्या जगात...(Khar nahi kahi hallichya jagat)" "फॅशनच फॅड लागतंय गॉड...(Fashan che fad lagatay gwad)" "लंगडं.. मारताय उडून तंगड! (Langd maratay udun tangad)"Madhav Vivdans,"विविधा: दत्ता महाडिक पुणेकर", Editorial published in Prabhat, Published on 20-Nov-2018, Retrieved on 28-March-2019 "लई जोरात पिकलाय जोंधळा...(Lai jorat pikalay jondhala)" "मारू का गेन्बाची मेख…(Maru Ka Genbachi Mekh)" "बडे मजेसे मेरेज किया…(Bade majese marriage kiya)" "महात्मा फुल्यांची घेऊन स्फूर्ती, रात्रीच्या शाळेला चला होऊ भरती" .. Composed by Shri Ram Kadam for National Literacy Mission"तमाशा श्रेष्ठच, उतरती कळा नाही- मोमीन कवठेकर”, ‘दै. लोकमत- संडे स्पेशल मुलाखत’, दि. १०-फेब्रुवारी-२०१९कोणी कोणाला नाही बोलायच..., 15-Oct-2020
Movie songs "गंगाराम आला .....(Gangaram aala)" "मुरली माझा कष्टकरी..(Murali Maza Kashtkari)" "वि.आय.पी. वि.आय.पी (VIP VIP) ....(VIP VIP | VIP Gadhav | Kunal Ganjawala & Ravi Wayhole)" "चिकणी चमेली...(Chikani chameli) (Zumba | VIP Gadhav | Pooja Kasekar & Bhau Kadam | Kavita Raam & Ravi Wavhole)"
Musical Albums / Devotional Songs
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