B. S. Mardhekar

B. S. Mardhekar Biography

Bal Sitaram Mardhekar, shortly known as B. S. Mardhekar was a noted Marathi poet who has given significant contributions to Marathi literature. Through his works he has brought a radical change to Marathi poetry. Thus he is known for introducing modernism in Marathi literature post Keshavsut era. He was also known as a novelist, playwright and critic. In 1956 he received Sahitya Akademi Award for his work Saundarya ani Sahitya. His works have expressed the agony of lost of Indian culture through the processes of World war, urbanization and industrialization. He created new paths and travelled a journey that has never been done before through Marathi literature. He left world at a younger age of 46. He had a great influence on contemporary writings in the language.

Bal Sitaram Mardhekar was born as Bal on December 1, 1909 at Faizpur. He completed his education from Fergusson College, Pune and London and in 1938 he worked as an Officer in a branch for All India Radio. He worked as assistant editor of the Times of India as well as an English professor. His works are often compared with Baudelaire who brought storm to French poetry. Though his first few works like Shishiragam is noted for being sentimental and lyrical, his later works brought reformation to Marathi literature.

His poetry collections include - Shishiragam (1939), Kahi Kavita (1947) and Aankhin Kahi Kavita (1951). His critic works are Arts and Man (1937), Vangmaiyeen Mahaatmata (1941), Two Lectures on an Aesthetic of Literature (1944) and Saundarya ani Sahitya (1955). His short stories have been published under the title, Natashrestha Appasaheb Rele (1944). His plays are Karna (1944), Natashreshta (1944), Sangam (1945), Aukshan (1946) and Badakanche Gupit (1947). His total poem collections include around 125 poems. He has married twice - Homai Nulliseth and Anjana Mardhekar.

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Updated: January 30, 2014