Prasad Sawkar

Born on 14 December 1928, Shri Prasad Sawkar is recognized as an outstanding singer-actor of the Marathi Sangeet Natak. He has been associated with the stage since he was sixteen, and is the son of the famous actor Rangadevata Radhvir Sawkar. His mentors and teachers in the Sangeet Natak have been Narayanrao Vyas, Govindrao Agni, Nivruttibua Sarnaik, and Chhota Gandharva. Shri Prasad Sawkar is one of the last witnesses of the golden era of the Marathi musical theatre.
Shri Prasad Sawkar has played lead roles to popular acclaim in a variety of plays, among which may be mentioned Kulawadhu, Rambha, Ek Hota Mhatra, Kone Eke Kali, Devagharchi Manse, Bhatala Dili Osari, Vidyaharan, Mruchhakatik, Manapman, Saubhadra, Bhavabandhan, Ekach Pyala, Prem Sanyas, Suvarnatula, Mandar Mala, and Jai Jai Gauri Shankar. Some of these plays enjoyed long runs principally on the strength of his singing and acting. He was associated with theatre companies such as Rathasaptami Natya Samaj Rangadevata Natya Mandir, Natya Niketan, and Lalit Kaladarshan. He has also acted in the Marathi films Sant Gora Kumbar and Pedgauche Shahane.
He has received the Padma Shri (2006), the Bal Gandharva Puraskar (1986) conferred by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, the Goa State Cultural Award (1993), and the Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Award (1995) bestowed by the Gomantak Marathi Academy. He represents Goa on the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Shri Prasad Sawkar receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Award for his contribution to Indian theatre as an actor.