Chhattisgarh Culture Department

‘Laxman Masturia Award’

Laxman Masturia was the people's poet of Chhattisgarh and the undisputed king of Chhattisgarhi song and music. For decades, he lent his sweet voice to the emotions of Chhattisgarh's villages, the poor, and the farmers, resonating in the hearts of the people. His songs reflect the essence of rural life and the struggles of Chhattisgarh’s soil. The simplicity and purity of Chhattisgarh's folk life were deeply embedded in his compositions. Masturia ji was born on June 7, 1949, in the village of Masturi in Bilaspur district. Through his timeless works, Masturia ji gave Chhattisgarhi art and culture a new identity on the national and international stage.

His soulful songs, filled with human emotions, made him a revered voice in Chhattisgarh. At just 22, he became the lead singer for the renowned cultural organization Chandaini Gonda. Additionally, he shared the stage with the country’s prominent poets at poetry gatherings. At the age of 24, singing "Mor Sang Chawal Re, Mor Sang Chalav Ji" in Chhattisgarhi from Delhi's Red Fort, he inspired the people of Chhattisgarh with a sense of unity.

Laxman Masturia contributed to All India Radio, Doordarshan, poetry gatherings, and even wrote songs for Chhattisgarhi films. He also edited the magazine Lokasur, focusing on regional literature and culture. Masturia authored notable works, including the poetry collection Hu Beta Bhuiya Ke, the song collection Ganwai Ganga, and the verse epic Sonakhane Ke Aagi, along with several other beloved songs such as "Pata De Ja Re, Pata Le Ja Re Gaadi Wala," "Mor Sang Chalav Re, Mor Sang Chalav Ji," and "Chaiha Bhuiha La Chhod Jawaiya." His Hindi poetry collection Sirf Satya Ke Liye was published in 2008, and many of his songs were released on Music India cassettes. For his contributions in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi, he received honors such as the "Ramchandra Deshmukh Bahumat Samman," "Srijan Samman," and "Anchalik Rachnakar Samman."

On November 3, 2018, he bid farewell to this world. In his memory, the Chhattisgarh government established the "Laxman Masturia Samman."