Marathi actors along with ad-man Dabholkar, novelist Vishwas Patil support Purandare
Mumbai : While the politicisation of the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ Award issue appears to have reached its peak with several of the progressive personalities coming out openly against the award being given to BM (Babasaheb) Purandare, several Marathi actors along with literary personalities like Vishwas Patil and ad-man Bharat Dabholkar came out openly in support of Purandare on Tuesday and condemned the attempts to vitiating the social environment.
Senior actor Sharad Ponkshe said, “Purandare, who is a gifted orator and writer, has always used all facets of his personality to create awareness about the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj. He is a true ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’.”
Writer, director and actor Chinmay Mandlekar too emphasised Purandare’s greatness by saying that, “He did not let the history stay only in confined to books. But, successfully took it to the hearts of the people of Maharashtra.”
Writer Kamlesh Walavalkar condemned the way Purandare is being targeted and said, it is wrong to target anybody in this manner.
Writer, director, actor and ad-man Bharat Dabholkar said that he is deeply pained due to the way in which the issue is being raked up. “Purandare never called himself a historian and was always ready to accept new historical research. His contribution towards popularising the Maratha history is immensely important. There must have been lakhs of people like me, who grew up reading books written by him. He needs to be credited with keeping the history alive in the minds of the people. I have no doubt that he deserves the award.”
Author, historian and member of Indian Administrative Service Vishwas Patil too supported Purandare here at a press conference. Patil condemned the politicians and said, they are trying to use Shivaji for their political motives. He also criticised Jnanapeeth awardee Bhalchandra Nemade for opposing Purandare and termed Nemade as ‘cultural terrorist’.
