‘Ramayani’ Daud Khan passes away

09 September, Raipur

Renowned Ramayana Kathakaar Daud Khan today died at his residence at Ramsagarpara in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari District.

He was 93. President award winner Khan, despite being a Muslim, was popularly known as “Ramayani” and “Maanas Marmagyan” for giving discourse on Indian epic Ramayana across the country for past 67 years.

Born in 1923, Khan gained vast knowledge on Ramayana. He gave his maiden discourse on the epic in 1947 at Allahabad University and later at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital. In 1977, he was conferred with the President Award for Literature by the then President VV Giri.

Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon expressed grief over the demise of Daud Khan. In a condolence message, the Governor said that Khan was a perfect example of social harmony. He won hearts of people with his discourses on Ramayana.

A ‘pravachan’ on Ramayana, organised by the state Cultural Department at Rajbhavan here tomorrow, was postponed owing to Khan’s demise, the sources said.