Renowned Marathi poet Mangesh Padgaonkar passes away

The man who believed and lived with the principle... iconic Marathi poet and Padma Bhushan recipient 'Mangesh Keshav Padgaonkar' breathed his last in Mumbai on Wednesday 30th December, 2015 after a brief illness. He was always young and romantic at heart.. even at 86!
Sung by Arun Date, his songs 'Ya Janmawar, Ya Jaganyawar Shatada Prem Karawe...', 'Bhatukalichya Khelamadhali' and 'Shukratara Mand Wara' are popularly known and rendered by many.

In 2012, he was also honoured with 'Jeevan Sadhana Gaurav Puraskar' by University of Pune for his contributions in the field of literature. He was President of the 2nd Vishwa Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Dubai in 2010 and organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal. Padgaonkar had 40 publications to his credit. The US Library of Congress has acquired 31 of his publications. He has written a collection of essays and published it under the title 'Nimbonichya Zaadamage'.

Padgaonkar translated works of Mirabai and published a book 'Mira' in 1965. He also translated works of Kabir and Surdas in Marathi along with Shakespeare's plays 'The Tempest', 'Julius Ceasar' and 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Along with translating the famous works of other authors, Padgaonkar also wrote forewords to these books wherein he has commented on the original authors, their styles of writing and literature of respective eras. Padgaonkar also published his experiences of poetry writing in the book "Shodh Kavitecha". He received several awards, including the Sahitya Academy Award in 1980 for his collection of poems Salam, the MP Literary Conference Award and the Maharashtra State Award along with Maharashtra Bhushan Award.

A great poet who taught us the true meaning of love through his poems will always be remembered for his outstanding performances. May his soul Rest in Peace.

Source: Marathidhamaal