Padma Shri ‘Dau’, guardian of Bundelkhand akhada tradition, passes away in Bhopal

Bhopal, April 19 Padma Shri awardee Bhagwandas Raikwar, popularly known as “Dau”, passed away at the age of 83 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhopal on Saturday night.

He breathed his last around 9.30 p.m. after battling a prolonged respiratory illness. His demise has cast a pall of gloom over the sports and cultural fraternity of Madhya Pradesh, especially in the Bundelkhand region.

A true son of Bundelkhand soil, Bhagwandas Raikwar dedicated his entire life to preserving and promoting the traditional “akhada” culture and the ancient martial art of “lathi” fighting.

In 1964, using his limited personal resources, he established the historic “Chhatrasal Bundelkhand Akhada” in Sagar town of Madhya Pradesh. Over the decades, he trained more than a thousand students in traditional weapons and self-defence techniques, taking the “Bundeli” war art to international platforms when the tradition was on the verge of extinction.

In recognition of his lifelong contribution to sports and culture, the Central government conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award on him this year, on January 25, in the field of sports.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over his demise. “The news of the demise of Shri Bhagwandas Raikwar ji, who brought global recognition to Bundeli Martial Arts and was selected for the ‘Padma Shri’, is extremely heartbreaking. Humble tribute to him. May God grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this sorrow,” he wrote on his X handle.

When his health deteriorated, Dau was first treated locally in Sagar. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to AIIMS Bhopal on April 7 and put on ventilator support. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he could not be saved. His mortal remains were taken to Naryawali Naka Muktidham for the final rites performed with full state honours.

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