Visually challenged musician from Telangana receives Karnataka’s Rajyotsava award

The musician Narsimhulu (62), a native of Dappur in Nyalkal mandal of Sangareddy district, has stayed in Bidar for over 20 years. He has been teaching various forms of music to children in Bidar by setting up a music school

Sangareddy: In a rare honour, a Telangana musician, who is 100 per cent visually challenged, was honoured by the Karnataka government with the Rajyotsava award, which is presented to mark Karnataka’s Formation Day every year on November 1.

The musician Narsimhulu (62), a native of Dappur in Nyalkal mandal of Sangareddy district, has stayed in Bidar for over 20 years. He has been teaching various forms of music to children in Bidar by setting up a music school.

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Since Bidar town is just 15 km away from Dappur, Narasimhulu Goud would visit his village quite frequently. Apart from teaching the children, Goud has also given hundreds of performances across Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana over the years.

His three children Ambarish, Umarani and Pavan, who were in their 20s, learned music from their father. They were part of his troupe as well.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shiva Kumar and others felicitated Goud for his contributions and presented a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh and two tolas of gold on Saturday on the premises of the Vidhana Sabha in Bengaluru.

Goud, who lost his eyesight at the age of five years due to sickness, had struggled initially to find the right place for schooling. However, Gunderao Maharaj, a generous man from the village, admitted Goud to a blind school in Mysore.

Goud completed his post graduation and LLB. He also completed a Master’s in Carnatic music and proficiency of music in Hindustani music.

The entire Dappur village was elated after he was honoured by the Karnataka government. Goud said he would set up a similar music school in Telangana if the government extended support.