Dula Bhaya Kag

A commemorative postage stamp on the 102^nd Birth Anniversary of Kag Bapu, a Charan poet from Gujarat and known for his spiritual poetry relating to Hinduism :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 25, 2004

Issued for : The Department of Posts pays a tribute to the poetry and music of Dula Bhaya Kag through this commemorative postage stamp.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Benoy Varghese
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 500 Paisa

Print Quantity : 0.6 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Dula Bhaya Kag

Born on Nov 25, 1902 at Kagdham (Majadar), Mahuva, Gujarat, India

Died on Feb 22, 1977

About :

A poet, a nationalist, a composer and singer of folk songs, Dula Bhaya Kag worked in the humble surroundings of his native village in Saurashtra. Born on 25^th November, 1903 to Bhaya Kag and Dhanbai, Dula Bhaya Kag created a body of folk literature through his poems and songs.
Shouldering the responsibility of minding the cattle belonging to his family, Dula Bhaya Kag could only receive primary education up to Class five. But the time available to him as he tended the cattle was devoted to poetry. Inspired by the freedom fighters of his time and by such great personalities as Vinoba Bhave and Mahatma Gandhi, his poetry became the instrument for expressing his nationalistic feelings as well as his devotion to the Almighty. He donated his land to Vinoba Bhave’s Bhudan Movement. He evinced interest in the prohibition activities after the formation of Saurashtra State. He set up a “Pathshala”, a school for Folk Literature in Junagarh along with Shri Ratubhai Adani. Devoted to the social upliftment and education of the Charan Community, Dula Bhaya Kag played a major role in establishing the “Charan Boarding House” in Bhavnagar and was also the President of the Charan Hitvardhak Sabha.
What really set Dula Bhaya Kag apart from his contemporaries was, however, his poetic excellence and effective recital. It was considered an experience to listen to the recital of Kavi Kag. He published “Kagvani” in eight volumes consisting of couplets, devotional songs, episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and songs based on Gandhian philosophy and the Bhudan Movement. Often these are composed as “Garba”, “Raas” and other forms of folk music. His other published works include Bhudanmala, Vinoba Bavani and Shamaldas Bavani. The All India Radio has recorded many of his poetic creations. The Government of India honoured him with the Padmashree Award in 1962. He passed away on 22.02.1977.
Text : Based on material provided by the proponent.