Madhavrao Bagal Biography 
Madhavrao Bagal was a well-known writer, orator, social worker and freedom fighter who lived in the 20th century. He lived in Kolhapur of Maharashtra during the period, 28 May 1895 – 1986. A multi-facet personality he was also an artist, painter, journalist, social reformer, political activist and orator. For his contributions towards social service, he was honoured with third highest civilian Padma Bhushan by government of India in 1992. He was one of the front-runner leaders from Maratha community in the post-independent era and was a co-founder of Peasants and Workers Party in 1947 aside Keshavrao Jedhe of Pune, Nana Patil of Satara, Tulsidas Jadhav of Solapur, Dajiba Desai of Belgaum and a few more social activists.
Madhavrao Khanderao Bagal was born on 28 May 1895 in Kolhapur. His father Khanderao Bagal was a social worker, freedom fighter, journalist, pleader, tehsildar and also a leader of Satyashodhak Samaj. Madhavrao’s early education was completed in his hometown and later he enrolled at J. J. School of Art, Bombay to study J. J. School of Art, Bombay. Initially he was a painter and artist, who owned an individual style of work, before he turned an activist and social worker. He also authored two books on arts - Artists of Kolhapur and Art and Artists.
As a social activist, he is best known for his efforts in the uplift of dalits – lower caste people of the society. In those days dalits were not allowed to visit temples or freely mingle in public places in society, and Bagal advocated for equal rights for all. He founded Praja Parishad in Kolhapur State in 1939, and remained a political activist in the 1940s. He was also associated with freedom struggle movement.
Published: February 19, 2019
Updated: February 19, 2019
