Introduction: Every corner, every village and every town in the soil of India is a living cultural heritage in itself. These heritages are identified by the people who live, preserve and hand over these traditions to the next generations from generation to generation. Bhandara district of Maharashtra also has many such “custodians of culture” whose lives are a story in themselves – stories of music, handicrafts, festivals, and heritage deeply embedded in the soul.
In this article, we will introduce you to those tradition protectors of Bhandara whose hard work, dedication and values are still keeping Bhandara alive and shining on the cultural map.
Shri Balasaheb Waghmare – Magician of Clay Toys
72-year-old Shri Balasaheb Waghmare lives in Murjhi, a small village near Bhandara. He has been making traditional clay toys and idols for the last 50 years. The toys made by them are not just beautiful, each piece is inspired by folklore and old traditions.
Mrs. Shobha Kombe – Preserver of traditional Varhadi cuisine
The cultural heritage of Bhandara is hidden not only in the arts, but also in the food there. Shobha Kombe ji is 60 years old and is considered an expert in the traditional Varhadi kitchen of Bhandara. Her ‘Khandeswali Thecha’, ‘Besan Ki Bhakri’, and ‘Masaledar Bharli Vangi’ are famous in the entire area.
Bhai Madhuji Thakre – Flagbearer of Folk Music
60-year-old Madhuji Thakre is a famous folk singer who still sings the traditional songs of Bhandara with all his soul. Songs like ‘Gondhaali’, ‘Bharud’, and ‘Ovi’ are now rarely heard among the youth, but Madhuji is keeping them alive.
Geeta and Ramesh Nagpure – Innovators of Bamboo Art
Gita and Ramesh Nagpure, a couple living on the outskirts of Bhandara, have been making traditional and modern objects from bamboo for the past two decades. From baskets, flutes, lamps, pen stands to furniture—bamboo is not just a raw material for them, but a living resource.
Mahesh Kurre – Living document of folklore
Mahesh Kurre is a local teacher and collector of folklore. He has collected more than 200 folktales from Bhandara and its surrounding areas in the past 15 years. He not only writes these stories, but also goes from village to village narrating them to children and elders.
Challenges and hopes of saving culture
The stories of these tradition protectors are very inspiring, but their struggle is equally big. In today’s modern age when everything is rapidly going digital, keeping the traditional arts and knowledge alive is no less than a penance.
Main challenges:
- Lack of interest of the younger generation
- Lack of financial support
- Lack of markets and platforms
Limited reach of government schemes
But there is still a ray of hope because these people do not give up. Many NGOs and cultural institutions are now helping them. Their art is getting a place on platforms like social media and YouTube.
Conclusion:
These tradition protectors of Bhandara are the real heroes of our time. They neither make headlines in newspapers nor are they discussed on television, but their hard work is the foundation of our culture.
