Name: Minal Suresh Mali

Roll. No.: 43
T. Y. B. M. M. (Journo.)
Kirti College
Sub.: Indian Regional Journalism
Profile on Acharya Pralhad Keshav Atre
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

WE would like to take this opportunity to

thank our

Prof: M. D’Souza Sir. For giving us an

opportunity to work on this project of. INDIAN

REGIONAL JOURNALISM.

Topic: PROFILE ON ACHARYA PRALHAD

KESHAV ATRE.

WE would also like to thank all the people

who have supported US to make this project a

success.

Finally we would like to thank all the staff

of BACHELOR OF MASS MEDIA (BMM) for

always helping us.

 CERTIFICATE
THIS TO CERTIFY THAT,

Ms. MINAL SURESH MALI.

ROLL NO. 43

COLLEGE: KIRTI M.DOONGURSEE COLLEGE.

OF T.Y.BMM HAS UNDER TAKEN AND COMPLETED

THE PROJECT WORK OF INDIAN REGIONAL

JOURNALISM. DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2010-

11 UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF PROF. M. D’Souza

Sir IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE CURRIUM OF

BACHELOR OF MASS MEDIA (BMM) STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI.

THIS IS BONAFIED PROJECT WORK AND THE

INFORMATION PRESENTED IS TRUE AND ORIGINAL OF
MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS.
SUBMITTED
TO:-
P
ROF.

Pralhad Keshav Atre (1898–1969)

Pralhad Keshav Atre popularly known as Āchārya Atre, was a multi-faceted
Indian figure. He was a prominent Marathi writer, a poet, an educationist, a
newspaper founder–editor (Maratha marathi daily that had its head office and
press in Worli Coca-Cola galli)), a political leader, a movie producer–
director–script writer and above all, a noted orator. A multifaceted
personality who, as a writer, journalist, orator, educationist, film director,
and political leader, shaped the destiny of Maharashtra in a short span

Born: 13 August 1898, in the town of Saswad, near Pune, in

Maharashtra

This multitalented personality known as Acharya Atre or P. K. Atre will be

forever remembered by the people of Maharshtra for his writing, his wit and
his generous nature.
His writing touched almost every area in literature - prose, poetry, plays et al.
His speeches touched every heart in Maharashtra. He was a litterateur,
educationist, film producer and director, journalist, orator and a leader, all
rolled into one. His greatness lay in the fact that he reached incredible
heights in each of his facets.

While working in the field of education he created an awareness of erstwhile

and contemporary literature and thinking among students to create the love
for Marathi language. He was highly regarded in literary circles and wrote
under the pseudonyms of Makarand and Keshavkumar. His book Zhenduchi
Phule (1925), a collection of his parody-poems, was very popular.

His plays rejuvenated the lackluster Marathi theatre and brought the
audiences back to theatre. The plays Sashtang Namaskar (1933), Bhramacha
Bhopla (1935), Lagnachi Bedi (1936), Ghara Baher (1934), Udyacha Sansar
(1936) raked in large crowds. The term ‘House Full’ became popular during
the play Ghara Baher. His play To Mee Navhech (1960), based on a true
story, created history and is popular even today.

He considered the great playwright Ram Ganesh Gadkari as his mentor. One
notices Gadkari’s influence in Atre’s plays. Although most of his plays deal
with social ills and hypocrisy, the use of contempt, satire, sarcasm, ignorance
and exaggeration in the plays helped capture people’s imagination and
fascination.

His Marathi film, Shyamchi Aai (1954) won the 1954 National Film Award
for Best Film, a film directed by him won the President’s gold medal while
Mahatma Phule, directed by him again won the president’s bronze medal. He
wrote the scripts for popular films like Dharmaveer, Premveer,
Bhrahmachari and Brandychi Batli.

His life unfolds in his autobiographical, self-searching book, Mee Kasa Jhalo
(1956) and his five-volume autobiography Karheche Paani.

He guided people and made significant contributions to the Sanyukta

Maharashtra Movement with his highly influential writing and speeches. His
political skills were honed during this movement. His oratory and the
newspaper (Maratha, Navyug) were his influential mediums. Obituaries and
editorials were his speciality. His oratory skills enabled him to reach the
masses through his speeches that were uncomplicated and often full of
humor and wit.
To describe him in his own words, there was nobody like him in the last ten
thousand years and there wouldn’t be anyone like him in the next ten
thousand years!

Died: 13 June 1969

Career:
He started his career as a teacher, and crowned his twenty-year teaching
career by running for many of those years a high school as its principal with
distinction. He compiled a series of Marathi language textbooks for
elementary and secondary schools. Those textbooks remained in wide use in
Maharashtra for a large number of years.

Atre's contributions to Marathi literature have been listed under Important

works below. He was an outstanding humorist, and his writing style—
whether he wrote humorous or serious material—was highly effective. He
introduced parodistic poetry to Marathi language (under the pen name
Keshav Kumār), and he did that extraordinarily well. His book, Jhenduchi
Phule, contains the collection of his parodistic poems. (He wrote a poem,
Shyamale, under the whimsical pen name Maulānā Allāuddin Khilji).

Atre wrote seven plays, some with a humorous theme, and others with a
serious theme. All of them received high public acclaim. His comedy-play,
Moruchi Mavshi was later adapted into Hindi film, Aunty No. 1 (1998),
starring Govinda and Raveena Tandon.

Atre's two autobiographical works, Mi Kasā Jhālo and Karheche Pāni,

similarly received much public acclaim. Atre was the founder–editor of four
Marathi newspapers. Two of them had a short life. But the other two,
Maratha and (Weekly) Navayug, ran for many years with a large circulation.

Atre's worthy contributions in the Marathi movie world have been listed
below. His movie Shyamchi Aai (1953) received an award as the National
Film Award for Best Film in 1953, while his movie Mahatma Phule (1955)
received the President's Silver Medal.

Atre was an important political leader of his times in Maharashtra, and he

worked vigorously in the Sanyukta Mahārāshtra Āndolan (Unified
Maharashra Movement) during 1956-60. He possessed extraordinary oratory
skills, humor being a captivating feature of his speeches.[citation needed]

Atre was one of the few members of the Brahmin community in his times
who supported since early days the efforts of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to
uplift the social status of the Harijan community and remove that
community's curse of "untouchability".

In Politics:
• Member of Local Municipal Board of Pune during 1936-1938.
• Member of Sanyukta Maharashtra Samiti during 1956-60.
• Member of Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha from Dadar constituency (18)
1962-1967

Important works:
Plays

• Sāshtāng Namaskār (1935)

• Gharābāher (1934)
• Bhramāchā Bhopalā (1935)
• Udyāchā Sansār (1936)
• Lagnāchi Bedi (1936)
• Moruchi Māwashi (1947) a marathi comedy play
• To Mi Navhech (1962)

Novels, Biographies, and Essays

• Chāngunā (1954)
• Battāshi Wa Itar Kathā (1954)
 • Mahātmā Jyotibā Phule (1958)
• Suryāsta (1964) (On the life of Jawaharlal Nehru)
• Samādhiwaril Ashru (1956)
• Kelyāne Deshātan (1961)
• Atre Uwāch (1937)
• Lalit Wāngmaya (1944)
• Hashā Āni Tālyā (1958)

Poetry

• Jhenduchi Phule (1925)

Autobiographical Works

• Karheche Pāni (5 volumes)(1963, '64, '65, '67, and '68)

• Mi Kasā Jhālo (1953)

Movies

• Bramhachāri
• Shyāmchi Aai
• Premveer (Script writer)
• Dharmveer (Script writer)
• Brandichi Bātali (Script writer)
• Paayaachi Daasi (Hindi: Charanon Ki Daasi). Producer.
• Mahātmā Phule

Journalism

• Founder/Editor of (weekly) Sāptāhik Navyug (1940-1962) and

Tukārām (1954)
• Evening newspaper Jai Hind (1948)
• Daily Marāthā (1956 - Till the end)

Honors

• President of 27th Maharashatra Sahitya Sammelan at Nasik (1942)

• President of 38th Natya Sammelan at Belgaon (1955)
• President of 10th Maharashatra Patrakar Sammelan (1950)
 • President of Regional Sahitya Sammelan at Baroda, Indore and
Gwalior

Acharya Pralhad Keshav Atre the renowned litterateur has a massive

contribution to Marathi literature. He was a man who left his mark in every
field that he entered.

Acharya Atre was in Bhave High School, Pune & later on studied in
Fergusson College. Here he discovered his talent for oratory and won many
debating competitions.

Acharya Atre was a great orator of all times and there will never be
another like him. His oratorical skills mesmerised the audience. Atre's
outstanding literary style, humour and his activities in various fields left an
every lasting impression on the minds of Maharashtrians.

The situations written by Atre could be easily visualised by the readers. This
was because of his simple writing which he used to reach out to the common
man. R. G. Gadkari had influenced Acharya Atre for such type of a writing.
Acharya Atre had a ability to convert humourous episodes in his life into
literary milestones.

His oratorical skills mesmerised the audience, outstanding literary style,

humour and his activities in various fields left an every lasting
impression on the minds of Maharashtrians.
Acharya Atre wrote editorials for the daily Maratha, Navyug and Tukaram.
He was a bold and fearless journalist. Acharya Atre's Novels, humorous
stories, poems, speeches, plays and films like Shyamchi Aai, Sanyukta
Maharashtracha Buland Awaaz and Mahatma Phule gives an idea of the
calibre of this multi-faceted man.

Karheche Pani and Jhenduchi Phule are famous books written by him.
Mi Natakkar Kasa Zhalo is yet another creation of Acharya Atre.

Shashtang Namaskar was the first Play written by Atre. Lagnachi Bedi and
To Mee Navhech are other famous plays written by him.

The hand-written notes and letters of him both English and Marathi, are
still preserved by many of his fans.

Acharya Atre passed away in 1969, leaving behind his great

contribution in Marathi literature.

Acharya Atre, who was editor of Daily Maratha and Weekly Navyug,
had given the real history of the freedom movement in his
autobiography Karheche Pani. He was as brilliant, sharp, open-minded
and patriotic as you are.

PUNE: Effective utilisation of technology, increased tolerance of diversity

and improved hiring and retention of talented nurses were the three most
important steps in meeting future challenges, said the Maharashtra Nursing
Council (MNC) president Ramling Mali on Thursday.

He was speaking at the 23rd biennial state conference on Planning and

implementing changes in nursing' organised by Trained Nurses Association
of India (TNAI), Pune branch at Acharya Atre auditorium in Pimpri.

Speaking at the two-day event, Mali said, "Nurses should be open to using
new technologies like computers in the workplaces. The shortage of nurses
has led to the increase in the number of unqualified people joining as
nurses."

He lamented that the Maharashtra state unit which held the first position
among other state units of TNAI has slipped to second position with Kerala
state unit emerging at the top.
Jyotsna Pandit, state president, TNAI, pointed out that there were 37,000
members in the Kerala state unit of TNAI and only 19,000 members in the
Maharahstra unit and urged officials to make auxiliary nurse midwife as
members.

She further suggested division of state into six regions to increase the
activities of the state unit of TNAI. The state unit will give financial support
to the activities of the regional and city units.

A souvenir was released during the inaugural session of the conference. 350
delegates from various parts of the state are attending the conference, with
Khurshid Jamadar acting as chairperson.

Spellbound by Acharya Atre

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

For Suhas Bokil, Acharya Pralhad Keshav Atre has held special significance
since April 26, 1960. That evening, in Pen, 14-year-old Bokil stood
mesmerised as he listened to Atre's oratorical skills weave its magic over the
audience. Completely won over, this fan went over and asked for his
autograph. The man who had endeared himself to Marathi audiences
everywhere through his singular literary style, humour and his
accomplishments in various fields created a lasting impression on the
teenager.

Bokil began to collect everything he could lay his hands on that related to the
multi-faceted man. Today, his collection includes almost all the books
authored by Atre including his novels, humorous stories, poems, speeches
and plays. A separate collection of 135 books on the man and his work,
nearly 2,000 newspaper clippings, 500 editorials written by Atre that
appeared in Maratha, about 300 articles by prominent writers on Atre and his
hand-written notes and letters in both English and Marathi. ``There will
never be another like him. He was an exceptional man who left his mark in
every field he entered. Whether it was plays, novels, films, politics -
everything he touched turned to gold,'' says Bokil of his idol.

Encouraged by his father, Bokil started to read Atre's work early and before
long had read most of his books, his favourites being Karheche Pani and
Jhenduchi Phule. ``Atre's brand of bold and fearless journalism was
praiseworthy. Marathi readers would look forward to reading his editorials in
Navyug, Tukaram and Maratha. Some of these issues are difficult to find,''
says Bokil fingering the yellowing newspapers stacks of which lie carefully
folded in his room. Special issues on Atre following his death in 1969 and
video cassettes of Shyamchi Aai, Mahatma Phule and i Mi Natakkar Kasa
Zhalo, films directed and produced by him as well as some tape-recorded
speeches form part of his collection.

A deputy manager at the State Bank of India, Bokil devotes all of his free
time to his passion.``Atre's daughters Shirish Pai and Meena Deshpande
visited me specially to take a look at my collection. I have some of the books
that they don't,'' he says with obvious pride. He has also made available his
collection to two students pursuing their doctoral research on Atre. Bokil
decided to share this rich treasurehouse of information with other Atre fans.
Since 1989, he has regularly held exhibitions of his collection labelled
Acharya Atre Sahitya Darshan in various parts of the country. Recently, his
collection was also displayed at a Marathi meet in San Jose, United States of
America. ``The response this exhibition has generated has been
overwhelming. I have had people come up to me and say how much they
appreciate the man and his work,'' he says. His main objective is to keep
alive the memory of the legend.

``The people of an earlier generation whole-heartedly acknowledged Atre's

genius. Today's younger lot may be familiar with his popular plays but they
know little about the man behind them,'' says Bokil. He plans to take his
collection all round the country at the invitation of Atre fans -- provided his
costs are met with. ``I have spent a lot of time and money on my passion.
What I have is only a drop in the ocean, but I would like to share it with
others.''
Books by Acharya Atre:

Jay Hind Jay Maharashtra:

Item condition:New

Time left: 10 Jul, 201016:17:12 IST

Price: Rs. 150.00

Mahapoor:
Item condition:New

Time left:5d 20h (09 Oct, 201016:42:10 IST)

Price:Rs. 150.00

Atreprahar:
Item condition:New

Time left:5d 21h (09 Oct, 201017:02:50 IST)

Price:Rs. 150.00

Hasya Tushar:
Item condition: New

Time left: 5d 20h (09 Oct, 201017:00:24 IST)

Price: Rs.125.00

Hashaa Aani Talya:

Item condition: New

Time left: 5d 20h (09 Oct, 201017:02:02 IST

Price: Rs.200.00

Vinod Gatha:
Item condition: New

Time left: 5d 21h (09 Oct, 201017:04:18 IST)

Price: Rs.200.00

Waaghnakha:
Item condition: New

Time left: 5d 21h (09 Oct, 201017:41:23 IST)

Price: Rs.125.00

Haasyakatta:
Item condition: New

Time left: 5d 21h (09 Oct, 201017:51:43 IST)

Price: Rs.175.00

A look-back at Marathi films based on acclaimed works of literature

In an attempt to rescue Hans Picture's fortunes after the Jwala disaster,
Acharya P.K. Atre was asked to write a comedy script. This was
Brahmachari, one of the most successful satirical comedies then seen on the
Marathi screen. It had Master Vinayak as the young man who tries to be
celebate and Meenakshi who tries to entice him. The scene in which
Meenakshi appears in a bathing suit (circa 1940) and bathes in a studio tank
became the rage for Marathi audiences in those (our school) years.

Brahmachari became a good box-office hit and wiped out the company's
losses. It set new standards in original script-writing. Atre's Dharma veer and
Premveer, similar original scripts, were also big successes. The first which
satirises Tartuffe-like characters was in advance of its times. Premveer,
together with a versatile Vinayak, sees a rare performance by Ashalata (wife
of Anil Biswas).

The pair Khandekar and Atre kept on writing for Master Vinayak as long as
he made films. But Atre did not stop at script-writing. In the 1950s he
directed Shyamchi Aai based on the Sane Guruji classic. This won for him
the first ever. President's Gold Medal for Best Film in the national film
awards of 1954-55. It is actually a hand-made film but must have impressed
the jury with its freshness, its heart of gold and its authentic portrayal of rural
Maharashtrian life. Compared to Shyamchi Aai, the later product of the
Marathi cinema appears glossy and phoney.
Atre also made Payachi Dasi, with Vanamala and Durga Khote in the lead
roles, Vasantsena, based on the Sudraka Sanskrit play and with music by
Master Krishnarao of Prabhat fame, and Mahatma Phule portraying the life
of the great social reformer. All these were original screenplays and
displayed a side of Atre's which was quite different from that of the satirical
humorist or the fearless journalist. Most of Atre's screenplays, thankfully,
have been collected and published.
Aarohi Film Society in association with Rudraa Entertainment is
celebrating the magic of Mother's day with the screening of 'Shyamchi
Aai', a classic film of 1952, directed by Acharya P K Atre

'Maa',… 'Aai',… 'Amma',…' Mother',…' Mai'...

It maybe just a single word, but defines someone with unconditional love
and care. As is said, ’Swami teenhi jagancha pan Aayee vina bhikari.’ (Loose
translation: You may be the greatest of this universe but you are only a
beggar without a mother)
These sentiments are echoed in ‘Shyamchi Aai’, a great work in Marathi
literature by Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, better known as Sane Guruji. Sane
Guruji {1899-1950} wrote this book in five days while he was detained in
jail for participation in the 'Civil Disobedience movement'. He was a
sensitive man with a creative imagination and a prolific writer.

Several generations of Maharashtrians have grown up with this book and the
landmark film based on the book that went on to win the first President's
Gold Medal for the Best Feature Film. This recognition, which was later
replaced by the National Award, was awarded to this film in 1954 for the
Best Feature Film of 1953.

The director was Acharya P K Atre who had endeared himself to Marathi
audiences everywhere through his singular literary style, humor and his
accomplishments in various fields.

We are all aware of Sane Guruji’s classic novel ‘Shyamchi Aai’, the story of
his childhood penned by him in a few days when jailed by the Britishers.The
inimitable Acharya Atre transformed this classic book into celluloid magic
with his feature film ‘Shyamchi Aai’ . Acharya Atre’s film opens our eyes
and transports us to a world where all problems in life are faced with a
positive attitude and a deep faith in God.

The film went on to win the first President’s Gold Medal (now called the
National Award – Golden Lotus) for Best Feature Film. This award was
conferred on the film at a ceremony held on the 10th of October 1954.

With mellifluous music from the maestro Vasant Desai, the evergreen songs
of the film are popular even today. Hridaynath Mangeshkar first lent his
voice on-screen in the children’s favorite ‘Chhadi Laage Cham Cham’. Asha
Bhosale’s heartfelt rendering of ‘Barjari Ga Pitambari’ with it’s lyrics
expounding unconditional love still has the power to hold listeners
spellbound.

The film like the book highlights Shyam’s mother’s positive attitude and
deep faith in God while facing life’s problems and serves to instill good
values in children and youth. An emotional journey, An emotional journey,
the film is a must in every home and is compulsory viewing for the children
of today, who are exposed to the materialism of modern society today.
Children today still enjoy this film, as they sing along with Shyam the
famous song 'Chhadi laage cham cham' and join in his antics. The film is a
must watch for everyone.

2004 marks the 50 th Anniversary of the film receiving the President's Gold
Medal for Best Feature Film of the year. The award was handed over to
Acharya Atre on the 10 th of October 2004. This was the only Marathi
feature film to receive this award, a feat that too half a century to match.

The film starred Vanamala, Madhav Vaze, Umesh, Baburao Pendharkar and
Sumati Gupte. Vanamala as the mother was down-to-earth and religious, and
her characterization had a profound influence on maternal characters in
Marathi cinema.

Editorial Review:

The Hyderabad Film Club is screening a Marathi film, 'Shyamchi Aai'

('Shyam's Mother') at Sarathi Studios on the 14th of March, at 6:30pm.

As is said in Marathi, 'Swami teenhi jagancha pan aayee vina bhikari.'

(Loosely translated, it means: 'You may be the greatest of this universe but
you are only a beggar without a mother'). These sentiments are echoed in
'Shyamchi Aai', a well-known work in Marathi literature by Pandurang
Sadashiv Sane, better known as Sane Guruji. Sane Guruji (1899-1950), a
Marathi author and social activist, wrote this book in 5 days while he was
detained in jail for participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. He
was a sensitive man with a creative imagination and a prolific writer.

The plot revolves around a boy called Shyam and his relationship with his
mother. It speaks about the effect Shyam's mother has had on his life and his
upbringing, and how he is taught to stick to his ideals and principles even in
the face of poverty. The film explores relationships between various
members of Shyam's family.

Several generations of Maharashtrians have grown up with this book and the
film based on the book that went on to win the first President's Gold Medal
for the Best Feature Film. This recognition, which was later replaced by the
National Award, was awarded to this film in 1954. The director was Acharya
P K Atre, the music was composed by Vasant Desai, and the film starred
Vanamala, Madhav Vaze, Umesh, Baburao Pendharkar and Sumati Gupte.
Vanamala's characterization, as the mother, had a profound influence on
maternal characters in Marathi cinema.