Personalities from Maharashtra (Part--1)

  Prominent Personalities

Chintamanrao Patwardhan

Chintamanrao Appasaheb Patwardhan        He was born on 14th Feb.1890. He completed his education from Rajkumar College, Rajkot. He stood first in English and secured a gold medal. He then worked under the guidance of Capt.Burke, an able administrator. On June 2, 1910 he took over as the ruler of Sangli. The rule of Sangli was spread over Solapur, Sangli, Satara and Belgum. Between 1905 to 1910 he continued the practice of Rayat Sabhas, started by Capt. Burke, to get a first hand knowledge of the problems of the people. In order to have a good administration, he inducted retired ICS officers and high court judges.       Rajasaheb introduced many agricultural reforms during his reign. He undertook scientific survey of the natural resources in Sangli and on that basis he introducted improvements. He built small dams, bandharas, talis in order to increase area under irrigation. He started many schemes to increase the production of milk also. Rajasaheb introduced 'Gramodyog Yojana' to develop the rural areas. He played a major role in starting the Sangli District Co-operative Bank with share capital of Rs.2 lakhs. In the field of industries, he encouraged Dadasaheb Velankar to start the Shri Gajanan Mills and helped Shirgaonkar brothers to start Sugar factory at Sangli. He also established the Sangli Bank with his personal capital. Rajasaheb played a major role in the spread of education in Sangli. He made primary education free as well as compulsory. He took lead in establishing Willingdon College and Engineering college at Sangli. The state also was a pioneer in giving adult education and schools exclusively for girls. in 1960, the people of Sangli celebrated with grate fronts, the 70th birthday of Rajasaheb. The Indian government awarded him the 'Padmabhushan'. Rajasaheb left for his heavenly abode on 23 Feb.1965.

Vishnudas Bhave

Vishnudas Bhave        Leading Dramatist of Maharashtra. The first play in  Marathi  " Sita Swayamvar " was  staged  first  in Sangli  1843  by  Vishnudas  Bahave.  Thus,  Sangli was  honored  as  the  Birth  Place  of  Drama  in Maharashtra. In this venture, Vishnudas Bhave was fully  supported  by   Rajasaheb  Chintamanrao Patwardhan.  After  the  success  of  the  play  "Sita Swayamvar " Bhave staged plays on episodes of theRamayana.  He  traveled  lot with his troupes for the plays.   He   also   ventured   into    Puppet   shows. Vishnudas Bhave died on 9th August 1901.

Natyacharya         G.B.Deval

Govind Ballal Deval       Govind Ballal Deval is considered among the leading dramatists of Maharshtra. He along with the Vishnudas Bhave and Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar considered to be the Brahma, Mahesh and Vishnu of theatre in Maharshtra. Deval devoted himself completely to the development of theatre in Maharashtra. He wrote first play "Durga" which was based on the tragic lief-story of Durga. He was honored by special prize for this play.  He wrote many Sangeet plays like "Shap-sambhram", "Mruchha-katik" , "Sharada", "Sanshaykallol",  "Zunjarrao- based on Shakespear's Othello. All the plays were very successful. Sharda and Sanshaykallol are still played on Marathi theatre.

Dadasaheb Velankar

Dadasaheb Velankar        Dadasaheb Velankar, a pioneer of Industries in Sangli. Initially, he worked in cotton mill, Solapur. In 1908, he started his own industry with 2 looms at his native place Limba. He device is own procedure to weave economically and effectively. In 1914, he started a factory  Shri Gajanan Weaving Mills with 3 looms and later it was a big establishment with 300 looms. The products 'Sari' and 'dhoti' were popular in maharashtra. In 1935, Dadasaheb went to Japan to study the new techniques. He returned and started manufacturing cloths called 'Valkali '.          On his 61st birthday, he was weighed in Gold and from the gold that he received, he formed many trusts to help poor and needy. In 1953, he voluntarily retired from the business and handed over to his son. After that he wrote 14 books. he died on 21st April 1978.

Krantisinh  Nana  Patil

Krantisinh Nanasaheb Patil       Nanasaheb Ramchandra Patil,was born in Sangli district popularly known as 'Krantisinh Nana Patil' was the topmost revolutionary in freedom struggle of India. He established parallel Govt. named as Prati Sarkar (' popularly known as 'Patri Sarkar')  for 4 and half years ( Aug.1943 to May 1946) in 150 villages.      The devoted leader was several times imprisoned during struggle with British Raj. For a period of 44 months he was underground in 'Quit India' movement in 1942. Instead of only non co-operative movement, his method of direct attack to British Govt. was widely accepted in this district.  He died on 6th Dec. 1976.

V.S. Khandekar

V.S.Khandekar         Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar born on 11 Jan 1898 in sangli. His father was Munsif in Sangli principality. They were financially well and many people from literary field visited them. He was interested in drama. At his school age he staged plays with his friends. After his fathers death he had to give up his drama dream. He then worked as teacher for 18 years. During this period he wrote short stories, novels, essays, transformations, editorials and many articles, initiating the "Khandekar Era" in Marathi literature. In 1941, he became the president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. In 1974 he was rewarded by Jnanpeeth award for his excellent novel "Yayati".

Cricketer Vijay Hazare

Vijay Hazare        Vijay Hazare born in Sangli on 11 Mar. 1915. His father was teacher in Sangli Mission School. Vijay Hazare was good in football also. While making a career he choose cricket as profession. He was selected to play first class cricket against the M.C.C. led by Douglas Jardine of the Bodyline fame. He also played for Maharashtra in Ranaji Trophy matches. He has a century partnership with D.B.Deodhar. He also played under C.K. Naydu. He couldn't play in test matches due to the 2nd World War. In 1939-40 he played for Maharashtra at an average of 154 and got Ranaji trophy for Maharashtra. He migrated to Baroda where he got a job and later he played for Baroda for many years. His friendly competition with Vijay Marchants is well known.  In Ranaji Trophy matches, he made 6321 runs with 22 centuries. He also has 291 wickets to his credit in Ranaji.

Padmabhushan Vasantdada Patil

Vasantdada Patil        Born on 13th Nov.1917. 'Padmale' 3 km from Sangli is his native village. He studied upto the vernacular final. Then he took interest in his farm. He woked there and faced many problems. He always took leading part in problem solving. He took part in freedom struggle. In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi started 'Satyagraha movement'. Vinoba Bhave was the first 'satyagrahi' and from tasgaon Vasantdada was the firdt 'satyagrahi' . For this he was jailed. In the jail, he came under the influence of people like Babasaheb Kher, Sardar Patel and others. He was also influenced by Netaji Subhashchandra Bose and he believed that only 'satyagraha', morchas or peoples movements would not get freedom. So he looted railways, merchants, got guns and revolvers from Goa. Many criminal cases were filled against him. British govt. declared prize of Rs.1000 for him. He tried to escape from the jail but badly injured. He was then sentenced 13 years imprisonment. But on 25th April 1946 he was released. He was tremendously welcome by Sangli people reminding the return of Shri Rama from Lanka.      After independence he started working on farmers problems. He established Market Committee on 1951, with main intension of giving proper prices to agriculture products. In 1958, he started Co-opratative Sugar factory on 90 acres land. n 1960, he started Industrial Society on 135 acres land. ITI were stared to give technical training to youth. He made efforts to increase irrigation in Sangli. In 1960 he became the Chief promoter of Groundnut Processors Co-operative Society. In the field of education he was Chairman of Latthe Education Society. He started Miraj Medical College, Civil hospital, Akashwani (All India Radio station) a Sangli.       He was active in politics from 1937 he became minister only in 1972 till 1976. In 1976 he was deleted from the cabinet. He was very disappointed. But overcoming this disappointment, he became Chief Minister of Maharashtra 4 times between 1976 to 1985. He died on 1 March 1989.

The Mangeshkar family

The MANGESHKAR        It is the fortune of the Sangli that the renowned Mangeshkar family were residents of Sangli for 14 years. The place where they resided is still known as 'Dinanath Chowk'. Dinnath Mangeshkar and Balawant Natak Mandali staged various sangeet plays like 'Manapman', 'BhavBandhan', 'Soubhadra' and many. later with advent of family he had to close down his drama company. He tried his hand in cinema but the picture was flopped and he was in big financial problem. He died at the age of 42 only.      But his 5 children kept his name  alive. Asha, Usha and Hridayanath  were born in Sangli. All 5 childrens of Dinanath are excellent singers. Hridayanath is also music director. Lata Mangeshkar sung thousands of songs in almost all India languages. She is still lending her voice to young heroines. Asha Bhosale in her 60's captured the heart of youngsters with her pop songs. Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosale received numerous awards. Lata has recently honored  with  BHARAT RATNA Award and Asha Bhosale with Dadasaheb Phalke Award.  on 26 Feb 2000, the Mayor of Sangli Shri Suresh Patil brought the Mangeshkars together on the centenary celebrations of Dinanath Mangeshkar and Mangeshkar were felicitated in Sangli.

Source---http://sangli.gov.in/htmldocs/prominet_personalities1.htm