Babasaheb Purandare presented history in very simple and lovable style: Raj Thackeray

Pune, 14th August 2021: “I was attracted to the history of Shivaji Maharaj because of my father. My friends helped in developing the passion. History cannot be learnt unless you have a passion for it. Whatever I have done towards reaching the Shivaji history to the people has happened very easily because of this passion. I am an ardent worshiper of Chhatrapati Shivaji. His intelligence, work and prowess have always stunned me. His might towards the creation of the Swaraj or self-government was important”, said Shiv Shahir Babasaheb Purandare in Pune today.

He was replying to the grand felicitation organised on the occasion of the commencement of his birth centenary year. Babasaheb said that showered with love and affection by the people of Maharashtra, he wishes to be reborn here again.

Celebrated author and theatre personality Shiv Shahir Babasaheb Purandare who is known for his scholarly work on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was felicitated by eminent playback singer Padma Vibhushan Asha Bhosale, to mark the commencement of his centenary year. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, eminent Historian Gajanan Mehendale, Bhartiya Janata Party leader and MLA Ashish Shelar were guests of honour at the event. Jeevangani, Jaysatya Charitable Trust and Swargandhar had jointly organised the event in the presence of eminent personalities from across the fields.

Balwant Moreshwar alias Babasaheb Purandare was born on July 29, 1922, entered into his centenary year. He is being felicitated and honoured by many leading organisations in the social and literary world. The felicitation on Saturday was organised by three institutions that have closely worked with him for years and share cordial relationships with him. Jeevangani, Jaysatya Charitable Trust and Swargandhaar had jointly organised the event.

Purandare further added, “I call out only five to six people in the world with their singular name, and Asha Bhosale is one of them. The entire Mangeshkar family is close to my heart. I share a cordial relationship with them. The acquaintance goes back to the time of their father Dinanath Mangeshkar. The relationship with the family is now 75 years old. I am going to write an article on her.”

“You should love everybody. Life should be spent with wit and by taking things lightly. We should spread love to others without any hatred and jealousy. I shared cordial relations with the Thackeray family too, while people like Gajananrao Mehendale helped me in my work. I have been showered with innumerable love and affection by the people of Maharashtra. I wish that I should be reborn here in this soil again,” he said.

Asha Bhosale said, “I find only one person here whose feet should be touched and that is Babasaheb Purandare. I am not very educated and do not like to give speeches, but like to speak the truth. I can speak because of my font for reading. I have read all types of literature by various writers. I am happy that like writers like GN Dandekar, Datta Dhawale, I had an opportunity of having cordial relations with Babasaheb Puranadare. His scholarly work related to the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is unprecedented. Babasaheb taught me a lot and I am indebted to him. If I get an opportunity to live for 50 more years, I would like to share 25 years of them with Babasaheb.”

Raj Thackeray said, “Babasaheb presented Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s history in a very simple, lovable style and language without adding any fiction to it. His style of storytelling took history to the homes and minds of the people not only in Maharashtra but across the globe. He is a historian, a true history researcher and has put in a lot of effort to teach it in very simple language. Babasaheb has a knack for telling history by linking it with his presence. It helps the common people to understand history. He will continue to do so throughout his life.”.

“I believe that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj inspired Babasaheb to take work related to the Shivaji era forward. He is a multifaceted personality and is known for his tolerant, merciful personality. His literature was attacked by many, but he faced it very moderately and wholeheartedly,” said Adv Ashish Shelar, BJP leader.

Senior historian Gajanan Mehendale said, “Babasaheb has the credit of taking the life of Chhatrapati to every household. He carries the great legacy of Bharat ItihasSanshodhak Mandal.

“His literature on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is based on facts and research”, he said.

The grand event was organised at Sarkar Wada, Shivsrushti, Ambegaon, Pune at 11 am in the presence of select invitees. Onjal, a Marathi book penned by Babasaheb Purandare was released at the event.

“We have been working closely with Babasaheb Purandare for the last many years. We have been organising his shows of Janata Raja and other stage performances for years. We feel proud, honoured by felicitating the scholarly person who left no stone unturned through his life to take Shivaji Maharaj to every household of the state,” said Prasad Mahadkar and Mandar Karnik.

The organising committee consisted of Shirish Ganu, Mandar Karnik, Prasad Mahadkar, Shrinivas Virkar, Rajendra Tipare, Ad Anand Deshpande.