Akhada Guru Bhagwandas Raikwar ‘Dau’ Ji, who was selected for the Padma Shri (2026) award, passed away on the night of Saturday. His last rites were performed on Sunday, with full State honours, at Sagar. Acting on the instructions of Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal, SDM Aman Mishra and Tehsildar Sandeep Tiwari visited the cremation ground to pay their respects by laying a floral wreath and presenting the Tricolour flag. A Guard of Honour was accorded by the Police Department. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav paid tributes to Padma Shri Bhagwandas Raikwar on his demise, expressing his deep sorrow and praying to God to grant the family the strength to bear this loss. Collector Pratibha Pal also expressed her condolences, stating in her message that this is a monumental loss not only for Sagar but for the entire Bundelkhand region and the state. Bhagwandas Raikwar breathed his last while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Bhopal.

 

He had been unwell for several days and was battling for his life on a ventilator. The 83-year-old Bhagwandas Raikwar ‘Dau’ Ji dedicated his entire life to the preservation and promotion of ‘Akhada’ - Bundelkhand’s traditional martial art form. Through his tireless efforts, this ancient art form gained recognition not only at the national level but also on the international stage. It is noteworthy that he had been selected for the ‘Padma Shri’ award for the year 2026. This honour was being conferred upon him for his invaluable contribution to the preservation, promotion, and training of traditional Indian martial arts and ‘Akhada Vidya’ (wrestling traditions). The passing of Dau Ji has inflicted an irreparable loss not only upon Bundelkhand but upon the cultural and traditional heritage of the entire nation. With his departure, an era of the ‘Akhada’ tradition has come to an end. MLA Pradeep Lariya, District BJP President Shyam Tiwari, Shailesh Kesharwani, Pappu Phuskele, Rajesh Kesharwani, Municipal Commissioner Rajkumar Khatri, and SDM Aman Mishra, alongside other public representatives, officials from the district and police administration, and a large gathering of the general public, were present at the last rites.