Narhar Kurundkar and his Literature

Narhar Kurundkar and his Literature

It is being said that a great Philosopher Socrates was always being surrounded by youth due to his ability to explain most difficult subject in simple language with the use of wit and sarcasm.  And you can make out the same qualities in one Marathi Scholar, Critic, Orator and Writer Narhar Kurundkar at the time of reading all his Marathi books. Like Socrates, he guided us how to think rather than what to think. His writing and thoughts were always based on people’s perspective on issues and circumstances and his own views regarding the same issues and circumstances. He had written about various topics like politics, religion, economic, philosophy, music, history, Literature, poetry and theatre. His writing about Bharatmuni’s Natyashatra i.e. Science of Drama is excellent and also excellently narrated the philosophy of Freud and Marx and also philosophy of Shankaracharya.  All his writings were based on idea of logical thinking.

From: Yogesh Gogwekar

Narhar Ambadas Kurundkar was born on 15^th July 1932 in Nandapur, Parabhani district of Maharashtra. He completed his graduation from City College of Hyderabad. During his college days, he became voracious reader and read many books on philosophy, literature, politics, education , religion. A great philosopher, Bertrand Russell has become his mentor and he shared his thinking and reasoning. He started his career in teaching by joining Pratibha Niketan School in Nanded in 1955 and in 1963, he became professor in People’s college in Nanded.

Even though , Kurundkar was self developed person,but still three personalities played very much important role in Kurundkar’s life. One is his father who thought him how one can develop one’s genius with best of efforts and also help him to develop his interest in Bhagwadgeeta. Second personality is his Guru, Professor Bhalchandra Maharaj Kahalekar who taught him how to develop analytical approach to truth through logical reasoning at the time of reading, studying and thinking the historical records. Third personality is his Maternal Uncle Professor N G Nandapurkar who was head of the Marathi department in Osmanabad University who developed his interest in Marathi literature and also his interest in Mahabharata. Besides this, Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Deviprassad Chattopadhya’s Lokayat helped him to developed his materialistic approach.

Reading and writing were the life and favourite hobbies. Reading was his only avocation and a great source of pleasure. Reading and writing made him an exact man and he could visualise the situation in proper way. He has written   so many books. His first book was Roopvedh which is critical analysis of major contribution to Marathi literature. This includes Mardhekar’s Art Criticism , beauty of Aesthie Concept , Bharata’s Rasa Theory, etc.

In 1967 , a book Magova has been published. Magova means Pursuit and it includes the essays on Indian classical Music , The character of Shakuntala  as emerging from Literature and history , an analysis of Bendre’s book on Sambhaji.

His book Jagar means waking published in 1969. This book is a proof of his multi-faceted personality. This book is logical analysis of Indian History , Politics, Religion and Economy.  He has written essays on restructuring of school courses in Indian history, Regression of socialist forces , Marxism theory , Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Secularism and Islam, Decentralisation etc.. This book is milestone in developing liberal and progressive thought in Maharashtra . 

Another book which is equally interested from intellectual point of view is Shivaratri means Sacred Night of wakefulness. It gives his though provoking ideas about Secularism and communalism. Essays in this books gives the analysis of communal politics of Hindu and Muslims and warns us about its dangers. It discusses politics of Golwalkar Guruji and Gandhiji’s Murder case and ideology of Hindu Mahasabha, Communal politics of Muslims in India,  Secular and ideal politics of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Mulana Azad.

A book Dhar and  kath means Mainstream and Bank published in 1971 This book is the study of growth and development of  Marathi novels or fictions. This is the significant contribution  to the history of Marathi Novel and brings out rich and varies aspects with its limitation of Marathi novel. 

In Paywat means Pathway. In this book, he has done the critical analysis of Marathi poetry and drama. In Chayaprakash (means Chiaroscuro) , he has discussed the values of democracy and also unfairness of dictatorships in the context of national Emergency.  He has written essays on fascism , challenges to Marxism , National Emergency etc.

Bhajan (means devotional songs) in which he has analysed the Dalit literature. This is nothing but reviews of books written by Dalit writers line Dr. Janardhan Waghmare , Datta Bhagat , Yashwant Manohar. It deals with important issues like Class and Cast Coordination, Literature and culture of American Negros , Struggle of Mahad, etc.. Book Akalan has been published after his death. this book provides the essays on political and social leaders like Sardar Patel , Dr. Ambedkar , Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Vinoba Bhave , Mughal King Akbar.

Manusmriti has been published in 1982 is nothing but fresh interpretation of Scriptural Text. This book provides an impetus to the development of progressive socio political thoughts. It highlights the injustice done by society on women and Dalits. In Watchal (means Wayfaring ),he has written about happening events and incidents in the lives of near and dear ones. This is nothing but essays in autobiographical way.

One should not miss his lectures on Shivaji Maharaj in which he mentioned his greatness from different angle. He also helped to Muslim reformer Humid Dalwai to resolve communal problems of Muslims.

Thus, Narahar Kurundkar was the man of institutions.I have considered all his books which have read by me. It is a short introduction of his writings. One should read all his books and try to make the own conclusion. 

Such a great person died due to a massive heart attack on 10 February 1982 while giving a public speech on Indian music at Aurangabad.

In today’s world , we are missing him as there is no one to tell us what are the correct things and how to understand the same with proper approach. Yes, we are missing you very much.

Mumbai
20/12/2019