Pt. Dr. Puttaraj Gawai had lost his eyesight when he was six years old. Despite this inability, he mastered both Hindustani and Carnatic Music and became Ubaya Gana Vishard. He could play many musical instruments such as the veena, Tabala, Mridangam, Dilruba, Shehnai and sarangi and also attained a high degree of mastery over all of them.

Having mastered Kannada, Hindi and Sanskrit, he had authored over 80 outstanding works which include Puranas, biographies, drama, commentaries and texts of music. He has also translated ‘Siddanta Sikhamani’ from Sanskrit and ‘BasavaPurana’ from Kannada to Hindi. He was honoured by the then president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. He also edited a monthly magazine ‘Panchakshara Vani’ – a great contribution to Kannada and Veerashiva literature. He set up ‘Sri Guru Kumareshwara Poshita Natya Company’ and also directed many dramas. The Veerashwara Punyashrama has nurtured many artists of national and international fame.