Diverse Reading, Deep-rooted Study Necessary For History Writing Eminent Historian Babasaheb Purandare

New Delhi, 17:  Diverse reading, deep-rooted study and willful application of the mind and brain are some of the basic components to write any Historical accounts, said Eminent Veteran Historian, Babasaheb Purandare here today. It happened to be a historic day in the life of Maharashtra Information Centre, when ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ Babasaheb Purandare paid a visit to this office and had a tete’-e-tete’ with one and all.

    He was accorded warm welcome by the Office, while Deputy Director, Shri Dayanand Kamble presented him a bouquet and senior journalist Vijay Satokar presented him a shawl and a ‘Shreefal’ (Coconut).  Present during this event was PRO Amarjyot Kaur Arora, Information Officer, Anju Nimsarkar, media persons and the office staff.

Babasaheb Purandare, with great ease and poise reminisced many of his incidents, be it his writings on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, personal and many more. In his informal yet firmly inspirational and brief message to the Office bearers, he said that the real Shivaji can be understood only when one reads all the books thoroughly to get an insight of true Maratha Warrior. A hallow study on any subject will not help in exercising mastery and one will not be able to write perfectly.  Commanding over a particular subject would follow once we become avid, intense readers with analytical bent of mind.

Underlining the Great Shivaji’s works, Babasaheb threw light on the life works of the Maratha Warrior.  He informed, Chhatrapati Shivaji was a Great warrior, a seasoned politician, able administrator, Diplomat of high stature, astute Statesman, a great father, a noble son to which even foreign authors have widely acclaimed.  He had great respect for women. A visionary par-excellence, he has been compared with great leaders like Winston Churchill, Lenin, Netse.

Citing one of the incidents, Babasaheb said, during the British rule, James Douglas was travelling through train from Thane to Mumbai in 1852; he saw many forts constructed on the hills. Out of sheer curiosity to know the Man behind the construction, he went on to describe Chattrapati Shivaji and his achievements in his renowned Book, ‘Book of Bombay’.

Recalling his childhood days, Babasaheb said he is indebted to his father greatly for all that he is today known for.  Fondly remembering his father, he admitted that his father played a major role in shaping Babasaheb, and that he held his father as his best buddy.  Like any other normal child, he also got scoldings from his father, however, he admitted had his father not done that, he would not have been what he is today.  He also recalled of visiting Maharashtra Information Centre in 1960’s when Shri Bha. Kru. Kelkar was the first Chief Information Officer of this office.

Balwant alias  Babasaheb Purandare is popularly known for his works like Raja Shiv Chhatrapati, Purandaryanchi Daulat, Purandaryanchi Naubat and Gadsanch which are considered masterpieces on the life and times of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his most well-known play, Jaanata Raja, a widely popular play on 16th century Maratha warrior king.