A folk poet of equality who rendered Ambedkar’s thought into verse

By Vikas Meshram

Vamandada Kardak (1922–2004) was a towering pillar of Ambedkarite thought, a folk poet whose words carried profound philosophy in simple, accessible language. Known widely as Kardak, he dedicated his life to spreading the ideas of Buddha, Phule, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar through song and verse, awakening generations across Maharashtra’s villages and hamlets.

Born on August 15, 1922, in Deshpandi village, Sinnar taluka of Nashik district, Kardak grew up in a modest household where hard work was constant and scarcity familiar. His early life was marked by labor—grazing cattle, working in mills, selling chikki and ice fruit, breaking stones, and carrying coal. Despite hardship, he nurtured a passion for reading and performance, even acting in the play Lallat Lekh. At nineteen, he married Anusya, and they had a daughter, Meera, whose untimely death left a lasting sorrow in his life.

Moving to Mumbai, Kardak worked in mills and lived in the BDD chawl in Shivdi, where he joined the Samata Sainik Dal. Initially illiterate, he taught himself to read and write under the guidance of a local teacher, Dehlavi, and through shop signs and boards. His first encounter with Dr. Ambedkar in 1943 at Naigaon proved transformative. Inspired, Kardak began composing songs, debuting with a parody performance in May 1943. From then until 2004, he created and performed tirelessly, leaving behind more than ten thousand compositions.

His published works include "Watchal" (1973), "Mohal" (1976), "He Geet Vamanache" (1977), and his autobiography "Majhya Jivanach Gaan" (1996). He also contributed film songs such as "Sanga Ya Vedila Majhya Gulchadila" from Sangatye Aika. His songs, rooted in colloquial language and sung with natural simplicity, became living expressions of the Ambedkarite movement.

Kardak’s contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Fellowship (Delhi), the Dalit Mitra Award (Government of Maharashtra), and the title Utkrisht Kaviratna. He presided over the first All India Ambedkarite Literature Conference in Wardha (1993) and was celebrated in literary collections such as "Lokshahir Vaman Kardak Gaurav Anka" (1987) and "Vaman Dada Kardak Gaurav Grantha" (2001).

Through his songs, Kardak demonstrated that music is a powerful force for social awakening. His voice became a vehicle of revolution, carrying Ambedkarite thought to every home. On May 15, 2004, Vamandada Kardak passed away, leaving behind a luminous legacy of words and melodies that continue to inspire.

On his death anniversary, we bow with reverence to this great hero of the Ambedkarite movement, whose songs remain radiant beacons of justice and equality.