The 93-year-old was known for his discourses on Ramayan and life of Lord Rama [from Ramcharit Manas] that were attended by thousands.
A household name in Chhattisgarh, Daud Khan had been reciting and delivering the disourses, since 1947.
For nearly 70 years, he gave the 'Manas Pravachans' in more than 1,000 cities, town and villages across different states.
Lovingly termed 'Baba' or 'Khan Sahab', Daud Khan hailed from Dhamtari, now a separate district, which was once part of the Greater Raipur district.
His first lecture was in Allahabad University in 1947. From 1949 to 1960, he travelled from village to village, reciting the 'Ram Katha', delivering discourses about the life of Lord Rama.
Subsequently, he developed his own style--explaining Ramcharit Manas 'prasangs'. People would get entranced and said that they felt contentment and happiness after listening to him. Always agile and fit, despite his age--from UP to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh to Odisha, he would go to faraway places.
Not just Tulsi, he was inspired with Kabir too. President VV Giri had felicitated him in 1970. Later on, he got many other state-level and national awards. As per his wishes, he was buried in the grave-yard at Kurud in Dhamatri.
Top politicians, dignitaries expressed their shock at his death. However, it was the outpouring of grief by the public, the ordinary people in Chhattisgarh, which showed the love Chhattisgarhis had for him.
Newspapers published entire pages, devoted to his life. Daud Khan Ramayani was a teacher. Apart from religious discourses, he was active in social work. Though he hardly had any extra money, he devoted himself to education of poor children.
He financed many children's education up to the graduation and engineering, especially, those from the under-privileged background. Such was the nonagenarian's popularity and his dedication that Ramayani became a part of his name.
Apart from Hinduism and Islam, he had studied other religious texts, especially, Guru Granth Sahib, too.
His daughter Badrunnisa said that when at home, he would recite the Katha to family, neighbours and friends, for 45 minutes every day.
Minister Ajay Chandrakar who was his student, said that his teacher Daud Khan had a lasting influence on his life.
Chief minister Raman Singh expressed profound grief at the demise of the famous preacher.
He said that Daud Khan was to hold a Ram Katha pravachan in Raj Bhawan within a few days. Photos are courtesy Dainik Bhaskar.
[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.
There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now. This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]
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