Musafir Ram Bhardwaj is a paun mata musical instrument player from Himachal Pradesh, India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014.
Life
He was born in 1930 to Deewana Ram at Sunchaivillage in the Bharmour area in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. He had no formal education. He learned to play the pauna mata from his father at the age of 13 and has played it ever since. He performed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He is also an agriculturist and tailor. Bhardwaj has four sons and two daughters.[1]
Paun mata
Paun mata is a traditional musical instrument made of copper drums and lamb's skin. The Bhardwaj family plays the instrument, and they have been invited to social and religious ceremonies in Himachal Pradesh to play.[1]
Awards
Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2014[2]
Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 by Divya Himachal[1]
^"Padma Awards Announced" (Press release). Ministry of Home Affairs. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.