Vishram Bedekar

Summary

Vishwanath Chintamani Bedekar (1906–1998), who professionally used the name Vishram Bedekar, was an Indian Marathi-language writer and film director.

Vishwanath Chintamani Bedekar
Born(1906-08-13)August 13, 1906
Died30 October 1998(1998-10-30) (aged 92)
NationalityBritish Indian (1906–1947)
Indian (1947–1998)
Other namesVishram Bedekar
SpouseMalati Bedekar
ChildrenShrikant Bedekar

Bedekar was born on August 13, 1906, in Amravati. After receiving his college degree in Amravati, he went to Nagpur for his post-graduate studies. During his college days, he was drawn to English literature and theater. He moved to Pune in the 1930s. In 1938, he married Malati Bedekar, (whose maiden name was Balutai Khare).[1]

Literary work edit

In 1939, Bedekar wrote his only novel Ranangan. It portrayed romantic love between an Indian youth and a German Jewish girl against the backdrop of World War II, and created a storm in literary circles in his times, and was translated into English in 2021. The novel was based on Bedekar's own experience on an ocean voyage in 1938 from Europe to India in which he encountered a number of Jews fleeing German persecution.[2] Bedekar received in 1985 a Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiographical Ek Jhad Ani Don Pakshi.[3] He presided over Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Bombay in 1988.

Bedekar wrote several plays:

  • Brahma Kumari (A mythological play with contemporary relevance)
  • Naro Wa Kunjaro Wa
  • Waje Paul Apule
  • Tilak Ani Agarkar

The last play depicted the emotional and intellectual conflict between Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar.

Movie Direction edit

Bedekar took a course in cinematography in the U.K. He directed many Marathi and Hindi films.[4] Few of the notable movies are :

  • Thakiche Lagna
  • Satyache Prayog
  • Vasudeo Balwant
  • Naradnardi
  • Krushnarjun Yuddha
  • Chool Ani Mool
  • Ramshastri
  • Pahila Palna
  • Andheri Duniya (Hindi) (1936)
  • Lakharani (Hindi) (1945)
  • Talaash (Hindi) 1957
  • Do Bhai (Hindi) (1961)
  • Rustom Sohrab (Hindi) (1963)
  • Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi (Hindi) (1970)
  • Bharat Ke Shaheed (Hindi) (1972)

References edit

  1. ^ Women Writing in India: 600 B.C. to the early twentieth century. Feminist Press at CUNY. 1991. ISBN 9781558610279.
  2. ^ Reciprocal Misapprehensions: Jews on Non Jews, and Non Jews on Jews in Indian Fiction, by Dr. Navras Jaat Aafreedi, The Journal of Indo Judaic Studies
  3. ^ "Akademi Awards (1955-2015)". Sahitya Akademi. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  4. ^ "When Salim Khan was offered role of Bajirao... in the 50s". 21 December 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2016.

External links edit

  • Vishram Bedekar passes away
  • Battlefield by Vishram Bedekar, tr. by Jerry Pinto
  • Biography of Vishram Bedekar