Musafir Ram Bhardwaj

Musafir Ram Bhardwaj is a paun mata musical instrument player from Himachal Pradesh, India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014.

Life
He was born in 1930 to Deewana Ram at Sunchai village in the Bharmour area in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. He had no formal education. He learned to play the pauna mata from his father at the age of 13 and has played it ever since. He performed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He is also an agriculturist and tailor. Bhardwaj has four sons and two daughters.

Paun mata
Paun mata is a traditional musical instrument made of copper drums and lamb's skin. The Bhardwaj family plays the instrument, and they have been invited to social and religious ceremonies in Himachal Pradesh to play.

Awards

 * Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2014
 * Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 by Divya Himachal
 * Rashtrapati Award in 2009