कुसुमाग्रज

V. V. Shirwadkar

2050-03-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

( 27th February 1912 - 10th March 1999 )

Mr V V Shirwadkar’s original name was Gajanan Ranganath Shirwadkar. After he was adopted, hisname changed to Vishnu Waman Shirwadkar. He is born in Pune on 27th February 1912 . His primary education was in Pimpalgaon and high school education was in New English School ,Nashik, which is now called as J.S. Rungtha High School of Nashik. He passed matriculation from Bombay University. His poems and articles were published in "Balbodhmewa " magazine edited by the famous poet of Maharashtra D.N. Tilak way back in 1929, when he was hardly 17 years old. . He joined H.P.T. College in 1930 and his poems were then published in "Ratnakar" magazine. In 1932, he participated in the "Satyagraha" for allowing untouchables to enter Kala Ram Temple. Since then the budding poet in im started soaring up in the sky of literature - by writing not only poems, but stories, plays , writing for the news papers like Weekly Prabha, Daily Prabhat, Sarathi, Dhanurdhari, Navyug etc. In 1942 his collection of poems "Vishakha" was published and is till date being cherished by Marathi speaking people. Likewise his collections of poems named "Marathi Mati", "Swagat", "Himraesha", "Yayati Ani Devayani", "Veej Mhanali Dhartila" were published in 1960, 1962 , 1964, 1966 and 1967 respectively .They all received Maharashtra State Awards. His first novel "Vaishnav" and his first drama "Doorche Dive" were published in 1946. His play "Natsamrat" is one of the mile stones in not only play writing, but also for the staging of the play. Natsamrat is welcomed by the Marathi speaking population like anything. The theme of this play is very touching and an eye-opener for many old people. Many old people are said to have changed their will, after seeing this drama.

A detailed list of his awards will be very long. However, without a mention of the following awards, one would not appreciate why he is considered such a great poet and writer. His play "Natsamrat" received Sahitya Academy Award in 1974. He received Ram Ganesh Gadkari Award of All India Natya Parishad in 1985. Poona University conferred on him the honourable degree of D.Lit. in 1986. In 1988 he received Sangeet Natya Lekhan Award. Topping the list is the "Dnyanpeeth Award", which he received in 1988. Considering his great contribution to Marathi literature, he was selected for this award. Earlier his senior friend, well-known Marathi Writer - Mr V.S. Khandekar had received this award. He was the first Marathi person to receive it and the second one is Kusumagraj.

What is he as a person?

While this gives a general overview of his literary work, to understand Kusumagraj as a person, one has to look at the other facets of his personality. He is the resource person for many a cultural and social movements in Nashik. E.g. Lokhitwadi Mandal was established by him in 1950. In 1962 he was elected and then continued till 1972 as President of the Sarvajanik Vachanalaya Nasik - one of the oldest and famous libraries of Nashik. The decade of 1962-72 was the Golden Period in the history of Sarvajanik Vachanalaya. He helps anybody who approaches him for guidance - for the social work, personal work, literary project or otherwise. Within no time he finds the potential of a person and guides him/her in that direction. However when it comes to any celebration for him, he prefers to take a back seat. His favourite writer is P.G. Wodehouse and the favourite actor is Charli Chaplin.

His social work

He has a deep sympathy for the poor, needy people and a special soft corner for the Adiwasis
(aborigines), who are deprived of any development - social, economic or technical. His attempt is to let the help flow from those who "have ", to those, who "do not have ". Out of this earnest desire of him , emerged "Kusumagraj Pratisthan" - an establishment which has a multifaceted activities, which are recorded separately. He has donated Rs. 1.0 lakh to Kusumagraj Pratisthan..

For the Adiwasis, he has initiated a movement and has involved many volunteers. They have taken up the work of adult education, providing medical help, cultural and sports camps etc. for them.
Kusumagraj Pratisthan has selected seven villages in the vicinity of Nashik and the above mentioned schemes are executed in these villages. His has helped in opening up libraries named "Kusumagraj Vachanalaya " in these villages.

Awards generated by him

When he received the most prestigeous "Dnyanpeeth Award", he was no doubt happy. But his empathy for his other friend- writers of Marathi literature gave birth to generating a similar kind of an award , which is known as "Janasthan Award"."Janasthan" is the old name of the Nashik City. He felt that there are many good writers in Marathi whose work is rarely appreciated by the State Awards. "Janasthan Award" is meant for such Marathi writers. In 1991, the first Janasthan Award was given to Mr Vijay Tendulkar, in 1993 to Mr V.D. Karandikar and in 1995 the Poetess Ms Indira Sant received this award. 1997 Janasthan Awardee is Professor Gangadhar Gadgil.

His vision is not limited only to literature, but expanses to cover other arts like painting, sculpture, music, dance, social work, science, drama, cinema, sports, adventures etc. There are many Indians who are doing fantastic work in these fields. He thought it fit to felicitate the outstanding work in these fields. So from 1992 the award named "Godavari Gaurav" is initiated .

Conclusion

Nashik city respects him as a "Rishi", because of his knowledge, his simple living ,his deep understanding of humanity and his unparalleled urge to help the society. For Nashikites, he is the living God. His polite demeanour makes everybody comfortable to be with him. In nutshell one can say that "Kusumagraj is Nashik and Nashik is Kusumagraj".

The books he authored are as follows -

Collection of Poems

Jeevanlahari, Jaicha Kunj, Vishakha, Samidha, Kinara, Meghdoot (translated), Marathi Mati,
Swagat, Himaresha, Vadalvel, Rasayatra, Chhandomayi, Muktayan, Shravan, Pravasi Pakshi,
Patheya.

Edited collection of poems

Kavyavahini, Sahityasuvarna, Phulrani, Pimpalpan, Chandanvel.

Novels

Vaishnav, Janhavi, Kalpanechya Tiravar

Collection of stories

Phulwali, Jadoochi hodi (for children), Chhote and Mothe, Satariche bol ani iter katha, Kahi
Vrudha Kahi Tarun, Prem ani manjar, Kusumagrajanchya bara katha, Appointment, Ahe ani
nahi, Viramchinhe, Pratisad, Ekaki Tara, Vatevarlya savalya, Shakesperechya shodhat,
Roopresha

Plays

Doorche dive, Dusara Peshwa, Vaijayanti, Kounteya, Rajmukut, Othello, Aamche nav Baburao,
Yayati ani Devyani, Veej Mhanli Dhartila, Beket, Natsamrat, Vidooshak, Ek hoti Waghin, Anand,
Mukhyamantri, Chandra jithe ugawat nahi, Mahant, Kaikeyi

One act plays

Divani dawa, Devache ghar, Natak basat ahe ani etar ekankika, Prakashi Daare, Sangharsh, Bet

Poems telling his life’s philosophy

Premyog
Sanskruti

Maharashtra looses its Literary Sun
The demise of Shri V. V. Shirwadkar alias Kusumagraj has created a vaccum in the Maharastra's cultural life. For the Nashikites, it is a loss of an elder in the family. This city loved Kusumagraj as a living deity and his departure has casted gloom over the city. Thousands of his admirers have rushed from all over the state to Nashik to pay the last respects. Kusumagraj with his mastery over the language and understanding of the intricacies in the human life, created masterpieces like Natsamrat (play) and Vishakha (Poetry Collection). He was decorated with many awards including Jnanpith. Despite all the glory, he lived a simple life and remianed a humble figure to the last.

He took in his stride to guide the people on issues like education (he felt the current education-exam system as cruel to the child), freedom of speech (recent confrontation involving Thakare) and other social issues. His residence became a place of Pilgrimage for everybody who matters in this state. The foundation Kusumagraj Pratishthan bearing his name, has contributed in a great way to the education and social work amongs the tribals and less previlages.

At Nashik on the Net, we salute the spirit of Kusumagraj.

कुसुमाग्रज

2010-03-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

वि.वा. शिरवाडकर यांचे खरे नांव गजानन रंगनाथ शिरवाडकर दत्तक गेल्यामुळे त्यांचे नांव विष्णु वामन शिरवाडकर झाले. २७ फेब्रुवारी १९१२ साली त्यांचा जन्म झाला. प्राथमिक शिक्षण पिपंळगाव येथे झाले. तर माध्यमिक शिक्षण नाशिक येथील न्यु इंग्लीश स्कुलमध्ये म्हणजे आजचे जे जु. स. रुंगठा विद्यालय आहे तेथे झाले. मॅट्रिक परिक्षा ते मुंबई विद्यापीठातुन पास झाले.

१९३० साली हं. प्रा. ठाकरसी विद्यालयात ते होते तेव्हा 'रत्नाकर' मासिकातुन त्यांच्या कविता प्रसिध्द होत. अस्पृश्य समजल्या जाणार्‍या लोकांना काळाराम मंदिरात प्रवेश मिळावा म्हणून १९३२ साली जो सत्याग्रह झाला त्यात त्यांनी सहभाग घेतला होता, त्यामूळे बाल्यावस्थेतील त्यांच्या लिखाणाला प्रौढत्वाची लकाकी चढून हळूहळू त्यांच्या साहित्याने आकाशाला गवसणीच घातली. ज्यात त्यांनी फक्त कविताच नाही तर कथा, कादंबर्‍या, नाटके, ललित साहित्य याबरोबर प्रभा साप्ताहिक, प्रभात वृत्तपत्र, सारथी, धर्नुधारी व नवयुग यामध्ये पत्रकारिता पण केली. त्यांचा आवडता लेखक पी. जी. वुडहाऊस व आवडता नट चार्ली चाप्लिन होता.

१९४२ साली प्रसिध्द झालेला 'विशाखा' हा काव्यसंग्रह म्हणजे मराठी वाङमयातील उच्च कोटीचे वैभव होय. जे आजही मराठी साहित्यप्रेमींना भूरळ घालते. 'मराठी माती', 'स्वागत', 'हिमरेषा' यांचबरोबर 'ययाती आणि देवयानी' व 'वीज म्हणाली धरतीला' ही नाटके १९६० ते १९६६ साली प्रसिध्द झाली. सार्‍या साहित्य कृतींना राज्य पुरस्कारांनी सन्मानित करण्यात आले आहे. १९४६ साली 'वैष्णव' ही कांदबरी व 'दूरचे दिवे' हे प्रसिध्द झाले.

'नटसम्राट' ही त्यांच्या लेखणीतून उतरलेली सर्वोत्कृष्ट कलाकृती तर होतीच पण त्याचे नाटयप्रयोगही खूप गाजले. नाटयवेडया मराठी रसिकांनी त्यांचे स्वागत केले त्याला तोडच नाही. अत्यंत नाजूक व भावुक विषयाला हाताळणारे हे नाटक वयोवृध्दांचा दृष्टीकोन बदलणारे ठरले कारण अनेक वृध्दांनी हे नाटक पाहिल्यावर आपले मृत्यूपत्र बदलले.

कुसुमाग्रज एक आगंळ व्यक्तिमत्व
त्यांच्या साहित्य प्रवासाबरोबर माणूस म्हणून त्याचं वेगळं व्यक्तिमत्व अभ्यासायचं तर अनेक पैलूनी ते पहावे लागेल. नाशिकमधील अनेक चळवळीचे ते प्रणेते होते. उदाहरणार्थ, त्यांनी लोकहितवादी मंडळ १९५० मध्ये सुरू केले. नाशिकच्या प्रसिध्द सार्वजनिक वाचनालयाचे ते १९६२ ते १९७२ पर्यंत अध्यक्ष होते. ते दशक वाचनालयाचे सुवर्णयुग म्हटले पाहीजे. सामाजिक वा वैयक्तिक अशा कुठल्याही प्रकल्पांना ते मार्गदर्शन करीत. कोणीही कुठल्याही प्रकारचे मार्गदर्शन मागण्यास आला तर क्षणात त्या व्यक्तीची क्षमता ओळखून ते मदत करीत. असं असूनही यश साजरं करतांना ते मागे राहणंच पसंत करत.

साहित्यसूर्य मावळला
महाराष्ट्राच्या सांस्कृतिक जीवनात कुसुमाग्रजांच्या निधनाने जी पोकळी निर्माण झाली ती कधीच भरून निघणार नाही. नाशिककरांना तर आपल्या घरातील वडीलधारं माणूस गमावल्याचं दु:ख आहे. मानवतेचा कळवळा व मराठी भाषेवरच प्रभुत्व यामुळेच 'नटसम्राट' व 'विशाखा' सारखे साहित्य जन्माला आले. एवढं उत्तुंग कर्तृत्व व अनेक पुरस्कारांनी सन्मानित व्यक्तिमत्व अत्यंत साधे तर होतेच पण शेवटपर्यंत अत्यंत नम्र व सत्कार्याला वाहून घेतलेले जीवन ते शेवटपर्यंत जगले. शिक्षणक्षेत्रात त्यांनी खूप मार्गदर्शन केले. आजची परीक्षा पध्दती मुलांसाठी निष्ठुर पध्दती आहे असे त्यांचे मत होते. इतरही अनेक क्षेत्रात त्यांनी लोकांना योग्य मार्ग दाखवले. त्यांचे घर म्हणजे तीर्थक्षेत्र झाले होते. त्यांच्या स्मृतिप्रित्यर्थ स्थापण्यात आलेल्या कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठानाचे समाजातील गरीब, गरजू व मागासलेल्या जनतेसाठी योगदान वाखाणण्यासारखे आहे. अशा ह्या देवस्वरूप व्यक्तिमत्वाला आमचे कोटी कोटी प्रणाम.

Kusumagraj -- Not just an armchair intellectual

2010-03-21T08:10:00.002-07:00

Kusumagraj -- Not just an armchair intellectual

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NASHIK March 10: Reknowned Marathi poet and playwright, Vishnu Waman Shirwadkar, alias Kusumagraj, was not just an armchair intellectual but was closely associated with the fabric of society which often formed the weave and spun of his literary works. He began his literary career as a poet and penned 16 volumes which, apart from being pure observations of a sensitive soul, are also socially relevant.

Kusumagraj took an active part in the satyagraha launched by Dr Ambedkar for letting the dalits enter the Kalaram Temple in Nashik in 1932. He was also associated with Samyukta Maharashtra movement.

Even while he was creating literary masterpieces, he influenced generations of Maharashtrians with his poetry. His poem Garja Jai Jaikar Kranticha Garja Jai Jaikar had fired up the youth during the pre-independence period, motivating them to take part in the freedom struggle. He was progressive in his outlook, committed to eliminating illiteracy, blind faith and communal bias and set up the Lokhitwdi Mandalto combat evils in society.

During his early career, he emerged as a litterateur committed not only to motivate people to fight foreign rule, but also as a committed individual himself.

His Vishakha (1942), Jeevanlahari (1933), Kinara (1952) are considered to be some of the finest examples of Marathi poetry.

As a playwright, Kusumagraj was greatly influenced by Shakespeare and was attracted to the universal appeal of his plays. He wrote Rajmukut (based on Macbeth), Othello (based on Othello), and his best known and commercially successful play was Natasamrat (based on King Lear). He also wrote a volume of essays on the Bard .

Throughout his life, Kusumagraj continued to express concern over the treatment meted out to the Marathi language by Marathi-speaking people. During the 50s, Kusumagraj was a part of the Akhil Bharatiya English Hatao Sammelan held under the chairmanship of noted litterateur Gajanan Trimbak Madkholkar.

In his speech while accepting thecoveted Jnanpith Award in Mumbai on March 11, 1989 (Jnanpith Award for 1987), Kusumagraj expressed concern over the tendency of Marathi speaking people to prefer English and ignore Marathi.

In the same year, as the president of the World Marathi Conference, he spoke the now famous words: ``Marathi language covered with glittering clothes is standing in front of Mantralaya with a begging bowl in her hand,'' highlighting the lethargy of the Government of Maharashtra, which had failed to take steps to protect and promote the language.

During his lifetime, he strived hard for conserving the language. In Nashik, he was the chairman of the Sarvajanik Vachanalaya from 1962 to 1972. He formed the Kusumagraj Prtisthan in 1990, which among other things confers Sahitya Bhushan award to those well versed in Marathi literature. The aim is to make Marathi speaking people read Marathi literature. The Pratisthan also runs a chain of libraries for children.

As a litterateur, he avoided being confined to any specificideology or `ism' and stayed away from groups which were influenced by a particular ideology.

His recent remarks that litterateurs should not seek government funds for hosting literary conferences, created a ruffle in literary circles. His statement had come close on the heels of the war or words between Sena Chief Bal Thackeray and the president of the Marathi literary conference Prof Vasant Bapat.

Kavya Kusumavali

2010-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:00