Punaram Nishad

Punaram Nishad, born in Ringni, Durg district, Chhattisgarh, (16 November 1939 - 11 November 2017) was an Indian folk musician, known for his prowess in the Pandavani, a folk music tradition of Chhattisgarh and the neighbouring states in India.

Early life Born in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, (then Madhya Pradesh) to a Bhajan singer, he started learning the art from the age of 10 under Jhadu Ram Dewangan, considered by many as the father of Pandvani, and aligned with the Vedamati tradition of Pandavani, which follows a rigid text, and does not permit improvisations. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2005, for his contributions to Indian folk arts. He lived in Ringni village of Durg district in Chhattisgarh and taught Pandavani at his residence, Shanti Niketan Ashram. His son, Rohit Nishad, is a farmer.