BABASAHEB PURANDARE

 Late. Babasaheb Purandare ( Director )

Balwant Moreshwar Purandare famous as Shivashahir Babasaheb Purandare is a magnificent persona...he is a living legend of 20th & 21st century. A passionate historian who likes to call himself a chronicler has dedicated his entire life for study, research & effective propagation of Shivacharitra. It will not be an overstatement if we say that he has created a history by retelling the history in most innovative ways. In his own words, 'history of Shivaji Maharaj & Maratha dynasty is an extra-ordinary history of ordinary people...hence it has a potential to motivate common people of every generation.' He has dedicated more than 60 years of his life for this single mission of propagating history amongst various strata of the society. He illustrated the dazzling heritage to entire Maharashtra. While achieving his goals he always remained true to factual history yet conveyed the Shivacharitra in most entertaining language & form. Babasaheb's way of narrating the history is always a captivating element for his audience.

 

As an orator & writer his strengths are exceptionally sharp memory, peculiar intellect, extra-ordinary vision and unparallel passion for this subject. He has not only written the biography of Shivaji Maharaj but has revived the period of 17th century with all its nuances. ‘Shivacharitra Vyakhyanmala’ was his first creation which made this subject popular in every household of Maharashtra. It was followed by the written biography of Shivaji Maharaj - 'Raja Shivachhatrapati'. This biography is not just a historical account but an epic poem in itself. The fluent, simple yet ornamental language used by Babasaheb in this book is a subject of research for generation to come. Babasaheb's other creation the mega-show ‘Janata Raja’ is also a marvel of theatrical world. His next ambitious dream is to create a 'Shivasrushti' - the heritage park where one can experience the bygone era with its full grandeur.