Babasaheb Purandare

Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, who is also known as Babasaheb Purandare, was a revered Indian writer. He was from Maharashtra. He was born on July 29, 1922, in Shukrawar Peth, Pune, British India. He became widely recognized as the "Shiv-Shahir," Shivaji's bard, because of his remarkable literary contributions centered around the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the visionary founder of the Maratha Empire. Purandare began penning stories depicting the reign of Shivaji and published them in his book "Thinagya." He considered Shivaji as his inspiration from a very young age. He dived into the history of the Peshwas of Pune, presenting his notable works such as "Raja Shiva-Chatrapati '' and " Kesari Click to look into! >> Read More... ," along with a book chronicling the life of Narayanrao Peshwa. It was his magnum opus, the play "Jaanata Raja," that catapulted him to immense heights. This theatrical masterpiece portrays the life of Shivaji excellently and performed over 1000 times across Maharashtra, Agra, Delhi, Bhopal, and even the United States.

The production involved more than 200 artists, majestic elephants, camels, and horses. Initially written in Marathi, the play has been translated into Hindi, captivating a vast audience. His extraordinary contributions to the drama gained him the prestigious Kalidas Samman bestowed upon him by the Madhya Pradesh government. His incredible storytelling skills, deep historical insights, and unwavering dedication to preserving and disseminating the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj have made him a legendary figure in Indian literature. His works continue to inspire and educate generations.