Pralhad Keshav Atre

Pralhad Keshav Atre, also known as Acharya Atre, was a multi-faceted Indian figure who made significant contributions to Marathi literature, theatre, cinema, journalism, education and politics. He was born on 13 August 1898 in a Deshastha Brahmin family of Kodit Khurd, a village near Saswad in Pune district. He completed his primary and high school education from MES Waghire High School, Saswad. He matriculated from Fergusson College in 1919. He completed Bachelor of Arts from Deccan College. After graduation, Atre took up a career as a school teacher. He did his T.D. (teacher's diploma) from the University of London in 1928. Before returning to India, he studied experimental psychology under Cyril Burt and taught at Harrow. He also wrote his first play, Sāshtāng Namaskār, in London. Atre was a prolific writer who wrote in various genres such as novels, biographies, essays, poetry, plays and humor. Some of his famous works include Chāngunā, Battāshi Wa Itar Kathā, Mahātmā Jyotibā Phule, Suryāsta, Samādhiwaril Ashru, Mi Kasā Jhālo, Moruchi Māwashi, To Mi Navhech and Zenduchi Phule. He also wrote his autobiography in three volumes: Karheche Pani, Zaleche Pani and Purnache Pani. He used satire, sarcasm and wit to criticize the social evils and political corruption of his time. He also advocated for the upliftment of the oppressed classes and the emancipation of women. Atre was the founder–editor of four Marathi newspapers: Navayug, Maratha, Jai Hind and Nave Adhyapan. He used his journalistic skills to voice his opinions on various issues and to mobilize public opinion. He was also a leader of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, a movement that demanded the creation of a separate state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital. He was arrested in 1956 under the Preventive Detention Act for his agitation. He was also elected to the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha from Dadar constituency in 1962. Atre was also a pioneer of Marathi cinema. He produced, directed and wrote scripts for several films, such as Brahmachari Vasantsena, Shyamchi Aai, Premveer, Dharmveer, Brandichi Bātali, Paayaachi Daasi, Mahātmā Phule and Parinde. His film Shyamchi Aai won the first National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 1954. His film Mahatma Phule won the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Marathi in 1955. Atre was a charismatic orator who could captivate the audience with his eloquence, humor and rhetoric. He delivered speeches on various topics such as literature, culture, politics, education, social reform and nationalism. He was also a popular teacher who taught at various schools and colleges. He was the principal of Raja Dhanrajgirji High School and College in Nanded for 18 years. Atre died of a heart attack on 13 June 1969 in Mumbai. He was cremated at Shivaji Park with full state honors. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities of Maharashtra. He was honored with several awards and recognitions, such as the Padma Shri, the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar and the Maharashtra Bhushan Award.