G. N. Dandekar

Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar (July 8, 1916, Paratwada [cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980602/15351014.html|title=GoNiDa - the man who loved his land profoundly|publisher=The Indian Express|date=June 2, 1998] - June 1, 1998, Pune) , popularly known as "Gonida" was an eminent Marathi writer and a Sahitya Akademi award recipient.

Biography

http://www.goneeda.com Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar was born at Paratwada in Amravati district. Go Ni Da grew up in Vidarbha, and ran away from his home in Nagpur at the age of thirteen in response to Gandhi's call for fight for freedom. After spending a few years in extreme poverty as a nomad, he found some stability with a few cultured patrons. Later he worked as RSS pracharak and was associated with Gadge Maharaj and his movement. He traveled extensively. His major areas of work were travelogues, books centred on old Marathi culture in villages of Konkan (Padghavali, Shitu), biographies of famous Marathi poet-saints (Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Samarth Ramdas), historical novels in which Maharashtra's network of forts plays a prominent role. He paased away on June 2, 1998 in Pune after prolonged illness.

Awards and honours

In 1976 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for his autobiographical work, "Smaran Gatha". He was elected president of the 55th "Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan" held at Akola in 1981. He also received honorary D.Litt from the Pune University on December 30, 1992. [cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980602/15350944.html|title=G N Dandekar passes away|publisher=The Indian Express|date=June 2, 1998]

Personal life

Dandekar married Meera. Their daughter Veena has two daughters, noted Marathi actress Mrinal and Madhura.

Works

* "Mogara Phulala" (based on the life and works of Sant Dnyaneshwar)
* "Smaran Gatha" (Autobiography)
* "Padaghavli" (Novel. Story of a Brahmin family in coastal Maharashtra. Describes lifestyle in 18 century) (1956)
* "Pavanakathacha Dhondi" (Novel)
* The Last Kirtan of Gadage Baba
* "Shitu" (1955)
* "Durga Bhraman gatha" (wanderings among the hill forts of Maharashtra)
* "Machivarala Budha" (Novel) (1958)
* "Purnamaychi Lekara" (Novel)
* "Jait-re-jait (Novel). Later a film based on the novel was directed by Jabbar Patel
* "Aamhi Bhagirathaache Putra" (Novel. Based on the making of Bhakra-nangal dam on river Satlaj)
* "Raanbhuli" (Novel)
* "Durg Darshan" (wanderings among the hill forts of Maharashtra)
* "Kille" (Informative book about trekking routes in Sahyaadri).
* "Chhand Maze Vegle" (Novel)
* "Tambadphuti" (Novel)
*"Kuna Ekachi Bhramangatha" (Novel)
*"Mrunmayi" (Novel)
*"Tuka Akaashaaevdhaa" (Novel. Based on the life and works of Sant Tukaaraam)
*"Bayaa Daar Ughad" (Novel. Part I of the 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
*"Har Har Mahaadev" (Novel. Part II of the 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
*"Daryabhavaani" (Novel. Part III of the 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
*"He To Shreenchi Eechhaa" (Novel. Part V of the 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
*"Das Dongari Rahato" (Book about Shri Samartha Ramdas Swami )
*"Anandvan Bhuvani" (Book about Shri Samartha Ramdas Swami )
*"Zunjar Machi" (Novel )

Notes

External links

* [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19980602/15351014.html Eulogy in Indian Express]
* [http://www.goneeda.com/ Biographical Website - in Marathi]