Athenian at 15:42, 22 April 2026

2026-04-22T15:42:24Z

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{{Infobox person
| name = Kethavath Somlal
| birth_date = 8 August 1959
| birth_place = Akuthota Bavi Thanda, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana, India
| education = [[Osmania University]]
| occupation = Writer, Folk Artist, Translator
| known_for = Translating the Bhagavad Gita into Lambadi
| awards = [[Padma Shri]]
}}

'''Kethavath Somlal''' (born; 8 August 1959) is an Indian writer, translator, and folk artist from [[Telangana]].<ref name="padma">{{cite web |title=Shri Kethavath Somlal - Padma Awards Citation |url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/CitationsForTickets/2024/2024118.pdf |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Government of India}}</ref> He is a member of the [[Lambadi]] community and is known for his work in documenting and promoting Banjara culture and language. The [[Government of India]] awarded him the [[Padma Shri]] in 2024 for his contributions to literature and education.<ref name="pib">{{cite web |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Padma Awards 2024 announced |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1999790 |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Press Information Bureau}}</ref>

== Early life and career ==
Somlal was born on 8 August 1959 in Akuthota Bavi Thanda, a hamlet in the [[Yadadri Bhuvanagiri]] district of [[Telangana]].<ref name="tt">{{cite news |date=January 27, 2024 |title=Telangana: Two Padma awardees from same village |url=https://telanganatoday.com/telangana-two-padma-awardees-from-same-village |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=Telangana Today}}</ref> He completed his higher education at [[Osmania University]] in [[Hyderabad]], earning a Master of Arts, a Master of Philosophy, a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Laws.<ref name="padma" /> He was employed at the [[State Bank of India]] and served as a deputy manager until he retired under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme in 2013.<ref name="tnm">{{cite news |date=April 23, 2024 |title=Four Padma Shri recipients hail from Telangana |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/telangana/four-padma-shri-recipients-hail-from-telangana |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=The News Minute}}</ref>

== Cultural and literary work ==
Somlal has collected and performed traditional folk songs from rural Banjara settlements known as tandas. He has recorded musical albums and performed on All India Radio and Doordarshan.<ref name="padma" /> He has written devotional songs about figures such as Sevalal Maharaj, Hathiram Bavoji, Merama Mai, Tulja Bhavani, Venkateswara, and Anjaneya Swamy.<ref name="guide">{{cite web |title=Who Got Padma Shri 2024 For Literature and Education From Telangana? |url=https://guidely.in/learn/exams-padma-shri-2024-literature-education-telangana |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Guidely}}</ref>

In 1986, he published the play ''Tholi Velugu''. In 1987, he wrote a historical account of the Banjara community titled ''Coolie lu Palerlu ga marina okappati Raja Putra Lambadilu'', which was serialized in the ''Andhra Bhoomi'' newspaper.<ref name="padma" />

In 1990, Somlal began translating 701 shlokas of the [[Bhagavad Gita]] into the Lambadi language.<ref name="ani">{{cite news |date=April 22, 2024 |title="Excellent experience": Padma Shri awardee Kethavath Somlal expresses gratitude to Centre |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/excellent-experience-padma-shri-awardee-kethavath-somlal-expresses-gratitude-to-centre20240422223702/ |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=ANI News}}</ref> He submitted the manuscript to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam press. The press published the Banjara Bhagavad Gita in 2014. The book was released by the then Chief Justice of India, H. L. Dattu, and Justice N. V. Ramana during the Tirumala Srivari Brahmotsavam.<ref name="toi">{{cite news |date=January 26, 2024 |title=Yakshaganam - Padma Shri Awardees from Telugu States |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/yakshaganam-padma-shri-awardees-from-telugu-states/articleshow/107159025.cms |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> In 2021, the Department of Tribal Welfare of the Telangana government published his Lambadi-Telugu dictionary, the ''Banjara Telugu Padakosham''.<ref name="padma" />

== Awards ==
The All India Banjara Seva Sangh awarded Somlal the title of Banjara Janapada Brahma in 2001. He received the Swarna Kankanam in 2006. In 2013, the Heera Bai Banjara Memorial Trust awarded him the Banjara Kala Ratna. The [[Government of Telangana]] presented him with the Uttama Kalakar award on Telangana Formation Day in 2017, and the state's Department of Language and Culture recognized him as the Best Folk Artist the same year. He was <sup></sup>awarded the Banjara Ratna by the Swamy Naik Memorial Society in 2020.<ref name="padma" /><ref name="tb">{{cite web |title=Who among the following from Telangana State was conferred Padma Shri award for the year 2024 in the field of Literature and Education? |url=https://testbook.com/question-answer/who-among-the-following-from-telangana-state-was-c--671a2ff9dfea4dce5494552f |access-date=February 28, 2026 |publisher=Testbook}}</ref> In 2024, he received the [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth-highest civilian award.<ref name="et">{{cite news |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Padma Awards 2024: Full list of winners |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/padma-awards-2024-full-list-of-34-winners-to-be-conferred-with-one-of-the-highest-civilian-honors/articleshow/107153472.cms |access-date=February 28, 2026 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Literature}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Somlal, Kethavath}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Telangana]]
[[Category:Indian translators]]
[[Category:Osmania University alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature and education]]

Kethavath Somlal - Revision history

Athenian at 15:42, 22 April 2026