A Film Based on the Life of Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Will Be Released – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Literary Volumes of Annabhau Sathe Released by the Chief Minister

Pune, Aug 25 : To bring the life of Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe, his struggles, and his immortal literary contributions before the world, a movie based on his life will be released. The state government will ensure that there is no shortage of funds for this project, assured Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He further stated that the Maharashtra government will continue to follow the path shown by Annabhau Sathe.

He was speaking at the release ceremony of Literary Volumes No. 5, 6, and 7 of Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe, organized by the Higher and Technical Education Department. Present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Dr. Neelam Gorhe, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, MLAs Amit Gorakhe, Vijay Shivtare, Sunil Kamble, Hemant Rasane, Additional Chief Secretary Venu Gopal Reddy, Director of Higher Education Dr. Shailendra Dewalankar, among others.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said, “Through his pen, Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe ignited a revolution and provided light and spark to society. His characters came alive in his writings, which encompassed compassion, sensitivity, revolution, poetry, and a universal outlook. His literature has been translated into 22 languages and is renowned across the globe. Many universities in India are conducting research on his works. Seeing the honor and scholarly study of his literature in Russia fills us with pride. Truly, Annabhau Sathe’s literature has become global.”

Annabhau enriched every literary form, be it stories, novels, folk plays, dramas, films, scripts, lavanis (folk songs), powadas (ballads), or travelogues. In his brief lifespan of 49 years, he wrote over 40 novels and countless other compositions. Today, thousands are pursuing PhDs on his works. In a true sense, he was a walking, talking university.

The Chief Minister highlighted how, like the saints who struck at social inequalities and aimed to unite society, Annabhau portrayed the existing social structure with deep empathy, pain, and sensitivity without any bitterness. His literature aimed at uniting society and creating an egalitarian community. During the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, his powadas and songs inspired the youth with great fervor.

During his visit to Russia, Annabhau introduced himself as a son of the land of the valiant Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, arriving there to pay homage to heroes. His thoughts were deeply inspiring, such as “Despair is like dust on a sword; once wiped off, the sword shines again,” and “The Earth is not balanced on Sheshnag’s head but rests on the palms of laborers.”

The Chief Minister emphasized that Annabhau’s struggles shaped his towering personality. His writings provided direction, strength, and a voice to the underprivileged and the common man. The effort to bring his work before society is ongoing. Such immortal literature, which reflects fundamental societal values and keeps human sensitivity alive, must reach every generation through comprehensive research. The state government has allocated ₹25 crores for the Annabhau Sathe Memorial, with the design already finalized. The memorial will be completed soon with full support from the government, he assured.

State Government Committed to Preserving Annabhau Sathe’s Legacy Forever – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, paying tribute to Annabhau Sathe, said, “Annabhau was a literary genius, a folk poet, a fierce personality, and the first Dalit rebel writer to challenge the established Marathi literary traditions and cultural norms. His literature was enlightening and reformative. He gave voice to the woes and struggles of the marginalized, downtrodden, laborers, women, and nomadic tribes. His stories and novels glorified the labor of workers while condemning the exploitation by landlords.”

On the occasion of Annabhau Sathe’s birth anniversary, his collections of stories, folk plays, dramas, ballads, and travelogues are being released, marking a significant event in Marathi literature.

Annabhau Sathe carried forward the thoughts and legacy of Mahatma Phule and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to the grassroots. His literary perspective was deeply rooted in intellectual activism, equality, freedom, universal brotherhood, and socialist ideals. His ballads provided strength to the Samyukta Maharashtra movement and inspired society to fight against injustice. Through his literature, he voiced the struggles of farmers, the oppressed, and laborers. The state government is committed to eternally preserving his memory and ensuring that his energy continues to inspire society, Shinde affirmed.

Prior to the program, Chief Minister Fadnavis paid floral tributes to the portrait of Sahityaratna Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

Members of the Annabhau Sathe Biography Compilation Committee provided insights into Volumes 5, 6, and 7 during the event. Present on the occasion were committee members Dr. Madhav Gadekar, Dr. B.N. Gaikwad, Dr. Somnath Kadam, Dr. Milind Kasbe, Shiva Kamble, Dr. Pramod Garode, and Dr. Vijay Kumtekar.