Namdeo Dhasal

Namdeo Dhasal Biography

Namdeo Laxman Dhasal, popularly known as Namdeo Dhasal was a popular writer and Human Rights activist from Maharashtra. He is also a Marathi poet. Indian government honoured him with Padma Shri in 1999. Golpitha (1973), Tuhi Iyatta Kanchi(1981), Khel (1983), Moorkh Mhataryane dongar halvle, Amchya itihasatil ek aprihary patra : Priya Darshini (1976), Ya Sattet Jiv Ramat Nahi (1995), Gandu Bagichha (1986), Mi Marale Suryachya Rathache Sat Ghode and Tuze Boat Dharoon Mi Chalalo Ahe are his major poetry works. The American Library of Congress has eight of his titles.In 2004, Sahitya Academy honoured him with Life time Achievement awards.

Dhasal was born in Pune on 15 February 1949. His family moved to Mumbai when he was 6 years old. He was brought up in a poor economic condition and many of his childhood days were spent in poverty. He founded the Dalit Panther with friends in 1972. He spent his life in Golpitha, which influenced him a lot in his literary career. His first collection of poems was published in the year 1972 titled, Golpitha. Moorkh Mhataryane, Priya darshini and Tujhi Iyatta Kanchi? are among his early works. He has also published two novels - Andhale Shatak and Ambedkari Chalwal which reflected the socialist and communist concepts of modernist movement of B. R. Amdedkar. Mi Marale Suryachya Rathache Sat Ghode and Tujhe Boat Dharoon Mi Chalalo Ahe are his earliest poetry collections.

He was a regular columnist of Marathi daily Saamana and has also served as the editor for the weekly Satyata. Many of his works belonged to "Dalit literature" which was introduced only in 1958. In many of his poetry works, he used many words and expressions which were only used by the Dalits. Ambedkari Chalwal, Andhale Shatak, Hadki Hadavala, Ujedachi Kali Dunia, Sarva Kahi Samashtisathi and Buddha Dharma: Kahi Shesh Prashna are his prose works. He died on 15 January 2014 in Mumbai. He was married to noted Marathi writer - Malika Amar Sheikh, daughter of Shahir Amar Sheikh.

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Updated: March 01, 2014