15-11-2021
Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare passes away...
Noted historian, prominent author Balwant Moreshwar alias Babasaheb Purandare (99) died at a city-based hospital on Monday early morning after a brief illness. Known for his scholarly works on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he was undergoing treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. He was being treated for pneumonia.
His condition got critical on Sunday evening and was kept on life support. Hospital administration announced through a statement that he breathed his last at 5.06 am on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message said, "I am pained beyond words. The demise of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare leaves a major void in the world of history and culture. It is thanks to him that the coming generations will get further connected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His other works will also be remembered. Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare will live on due to his extensive works. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in his message said, "Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare dedicated his life to collect information, study, research on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He leaves a major void in the world of history, art and culture."
Former CM of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis also posted a condolence message on social media. He said, "Feeling extremely blessed to receive this award in presence of ShivShahir Babasaheb Purandare ji, Manda tai Amte and many other dignitaries present on this occasion."
Padma Vibhushan awardee was one of the authorities on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Born on July 29, 1922, at Saswad near Pune, he was fascinated by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s work since childhood. Soon he started exploring, studying, and writing essays and stories on him.
With his first creation ‘Shivacharitra Vyakhyanmala’, he revived the period of the 17th century with all nuances. Another creation called Raja Shivchhatrapati a two-part biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj written in the ornamental language is also popular among Marathi readers.
But he was most well-known for his work play ‘Jaanta Raja’ a three-hour-long opera based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life. Penned and directed by him, the magnum opus performance had over 200 artistes performing with clocklike precision with the help of digitally recorded four-track sounds. Jaanta Raja is also translated and enacted in five languages and had over 1200 shows in various parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and even abroad. Once under the patronage of then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee the play had a show in New Delhi.
He was awarded Maharashtra Bhushan (2015) by the state government and the second-highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan (2019). He is survived by two sons and a daughter...#...LIFE HISTORY...
