Panchakshara Gawai (2 February 1892 – 11 June 1944) was a blind singer from Gadag, a town in North Karnataka, India.
Born blind, Gadigeyya and his elder brother Gurubasava both had melodious voice and Musical talent.
Next, Panchakshara Gavayi started to learn Hindusthani Music from Ustad Abdul Vahid Khan, who was a famous singer of Kirana Gharana.
Panchakshara Gavayi grew and became popular as an expert in both Carnatic and Hindusthani Music styles, along with Tabla.
When Kumara Swamiji started ‘Kumareswara Krpaposhita Sangeeta – Sahitya Mahavidyalaya’ in Rona, Panchakshara Gavayi became its chief.
He established a drama company by the name ‘Sri Kumareswara krpaposhita Sangeeta Nataka Mandali’ and started to give shows, thereby lightening the financial burden of feeding hundreds of children.
A rich devotee of Gadag, Sri Basarigidada Veerappa, donated his land and built an Ashram there for Gavayi.