Kavathe is a village located in Shirur Taluka of the Pune district of Maharashtra state. The village adds the name of local hindu goddess 'Yemai' for distinguishing from other villages in Maharashtra with similar name. Kavathe is known for it historical link with Maratha Empire and because of various folk art & artiste associated with Tamasha, drama, Jagaran-Gondhal and Bharud. Poet Bashir Momin Kavathekar and Dholak performer Shri Gangaram Bua are the two prominent folk artiste who had brought laurels with their notable contribution to the Maharashtra's performing art, culture and traditional art form Tamasha. Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar's grandfather Shri Narayan Khude who formed his own Tamasha Troupe was also from Kavathe Yamai.
The Gadhi fort in Kavathe Yamai.
Gram panchayat building in Kavathe Yamai.
Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat Drama 1st Show 1977
Bhangale Swapn Maharashtra @Bharat Naty Mandir 1st show on Republic Day, 1976
Bashir Kamruddin Momin, popularly known by his pen name, Momin Kavathekar, also known as 'Lokshahir B. K. Momin Kavathekar', was a popular Marathi language poet and writer who promoted sanitation, literacy, and social reforms through his literatures. His work involved raising public awareness to tackle issues like dowry system, female foeticide, alcohol addiction and blind following of superstitions.Many of his devotional songs adore the Hindu God & Goddess. He was closely associated with Maharashtra's traditional form of theatre Tamasha for almost 50 years; supporting the various Tamasha troupes by providing them with folk songs like 'Lavani', 'Gan Gavalan', 'Bhedic' and short plays called 'Vaga-Natya'.For his contribution to the field of folk art, literature and culture, he was awarded the 'Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar' by the Government of Maharashtra in 2018.
Bashir Momin Kavathekar
Momin Kavathekar playing role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Marathi drama Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat
Bashir Momin Kavathekar being awarded with 'Vithabai Narayangavkar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar' in 2018