Marathi poet Vasant Bapat pases away

Pune, Sept 17: Noted Marathi poet and freedom fighter Vasant Bapat died at a private hospital here early this morning. He was 80.
Prof. Bapat was admitted to hospital after he suffered an intra-cerebral bleeding and slipped into coma last Wednesday. Though a surgery was performed on him, he never gained consciousness. His condition deteriorated further and the death came this morning. Born on July 25, 1922 at Karad in Satara district, Prof Bapat had his initial education at the N M Vidyalaya here and thereafter, completed his masters from the S P college. Even as a student, Prof Bapat plunged into the freedom struggle and participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942. He was incarcerated in jail from August 1943 to January 1945.
He completed his education after his release and began his career as a Professor of Sanskrit and Marathi. He also served as professor of Gurudev Tagore comparative literature at the Bombay University from 1974 to 1982. He served as editor of the weekly ''sadhana'' for a number of years.

Prof Bapat was closely associated with the Rashtra Seva Dal right from the inception of the organisation. He particularly served the cultural wing of the organisation from 1948 till 1980 and his thrust was on preserving the folk arts and to give them a new direction.

Prof Bapat represented India in the international poet's meet at Yugoslavia in 1969 and participated in similar functions in the United States in 1977 and 1993. He was a member of the Sahitya Akademi and the Sangeet Natak Akademi for a number of years. He was in the executive body member of the Sahitya Akademi for a decade.

He was the president of several literary meets including the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held at Mumbai in 1972.

'Bijli', 'setu'S 'Akravi Disha', 'Sakina', 'Manasi', 'Shingh Phunkile Runee', 'Shoor Mardacha Powada', 'Meghhriday', 'Tejasi' and 'Rajasi' are among the collection of his poems.

He had written extensively for children. His collection of poems for children included 'Changamanga', 'Abdak Tabdak', 'Gargar Girki', 'Firki', 'Fulranicha Kavita' and 'Parichya Rajyat'.


A travelogue, 'Bara Gavcha Pani', a biographical work, 'Jinkooni Marnala' and a political satire, 'Visajipantachi Bakhar' were among his other literary contributions.


Bureau Report