Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Shirwadkar
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.
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".
Collection of Poems
Jeevanlahari, Jaicha Kunj, Vishakha, Samidha, Kinara, Meghdoot (translated), Marathi Mati,
Swagat, Himaresha, Vadalvel, Rasayatra, Chhandomayi, Muktayan, Shravan, Pravasi Pakshi,
Patheya.
Novels
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
Divani dawa, Devache ghar, Natak basat ahe ani etar ekankika, Prakashi Daare, Sangharsh, Bet
Premyog
Sanskruti
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.