Daya Pawar

Daya Pawar or Dagdu Maruti Pawar (1935–20 September 1996) was an Indian Marathi language author and poet known for his contributions to Dalit literature that dealt with the atrocities experienced by the dalits or untouchables under the Hindu caste system. He was a Buddhist by religion.

Works

''Baluta''

He gained fame for his autobiographical 1978 novel '' Baluta'' (), written as a story told by Dagdu Pawar to the more literate Daya Pawar, both being personas of the author. The novel recounts the "experiences of an untouchable struggling for a peaceful existence, mentally tormented but incapable of retaliation in word and deed." There was "strong anti-Dalit reaction" when it was published in Maharashtra.

''Baluta'' created ripples in literary circles and earned him many awards at all levels, including one from the Ford Foundation. It got translated into several languages. The strengths of the book are the simple, straightforward and to-the-point portrayal and a transparent realistic illustration of the ethos around him. The book created a new genre in Marathi literature. Many autobiographical books talking about harsh experiences hard realities were written after ''Baluta''. Pawar's use of language is not merely that of revolt but of a deeply introspecting analytical intellectual.

Pu La Deshpande reviewed ''Baluta'': "On reading this book the cataract of blind traditions stuck to our eyes that makes us unaware of facts will melt away in the tears that fill our eyes on seeing this horrifying reality will emerge new rays of hope. Reader will then seek to be more humane henceforth in life, What else is the intent of all good literature? Creating new kinship among mankind and free the society from artificial and vexing bonds, right? The same can be said for all Pawar’s literature."

Poetry and other work

Although he earned fame through his autobiographical prose in ''Baluta'', poetry was his forte. He gave expression to the oppression of the Dalits through his verse.

''"Shilekhali haat hota, tari nahi phodla hambarda,''

''Kitr janmachi kaid, kuni nirmila ha kondvada"''

(The hand was crushed under a stone, yet no outcry was heard

How many generations of imprisonment? Who created this prison?)

With effective verses like the above from his first collections of poems ''Kondvada'', he voiced the atrocities and oppression faced by generations of Dalit. Published in 1974, ''Kondvada'' earned him a literary award from the State.

Among his other famous works are ''Chavdi'' and ''Dalit Jaanivaa'', two of his compilation of articles, and ''Vittal'', a collection of short stories. He wrote the screenplay for Jabbar Patel’s film ''Dr. Ambedkar''. He was appointed with the National Film Development Corporation. Pawar won the prestigious Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India.

Pawar’s writing’s reflects his active participation in the social, cultural and literary movements on the national level, his avid following of foreign literature, analytical and contemplative thinking, unwavering stance, deep understanding and empathy towards social happenings and issues. His work was highly effective. He received some amount of recognition by way of awards. But due to oppressive circumstances, he suffered mentally and physically in his personal life. It is this perennial suffering that comes through sharply in his writings. One of his poems gives a feel for his suffering:

''"Dukhaana gadgadtaana he zhaad me paahilela''

''Tashi yaachi mule kholvar boudhivrukshaasaarkhi''

''Boudhivrukshaala phula tari aali''

''He Zhaad saaryaa rutut kolpun gelela''

''Dhamani dhamanit phutu paahnaaryaa yaatanaa''

''Mahaarogyaachyaa botsanssarkhi zadleli paane''

''He khod kasla? Phandiphandila jakhadleli kubdi''

''Maran yet naahi mhanun marankalaa sosnaara''

''Dukhaana gadgadtaanaa he zhaad me paahila"''

(I have seen this tree tremble in pain

Albeit the tree has deep roots like the Bodhi tree

The Bodhi tree at least bore flowers

This tree though is withered in all seasons

Pain trying to burst through its very pore

Leaves withered like those of a leper’s fingers

What is this disease? Crutches hung on every branch

Death does not befall and so bearing the pains of death

I have seen this tree tremble in pain)

Chronology

*1935 Birth
*1956 Joined as a clerk as well as a laboratory assistant in a veterinary college, Mumbai
*1967 First Dalit poem published in ''Asmitadarsh''
*1968 Took active part in Dalit literature movement
*1969 First article on Dalit literature published in ''Pratisthan ''
*1972 Attended World Buddhist Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka
*1975 Maharashtra Government Award for ''Kondwada''
*1979 Maharashtra Government Award for ''Balute''
*1982 Ford Foundation Fellowship, visited USA
*1984 Visited World Book Fair at Frankfurt and read a paper on Dalit literature
*1988-94 Member of textbook committee ‘Bal Bharti’
*1987-94 Member of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee, Maharashtra State
*1990 Received Padmashri
*1993 Chairman Drama Pre-scrutiny Board, Maharashtra State
*1996 20 December, died in New Delhi.

See also

* List of Padma Shri award recipients (1990–99)

References

External links

An article written by Pakistani author quoting Daya Pawar

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pawar, Daya
Marathi-language writers
Marathi people
Dalit activists
Dalit writers
Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education
1935 births
1996 deaths
Poets from Maharashtra
Indian male poets
20th-century Indian poets
Activists from Maharashtra
People from Ahmednagar district
20th-century Indian male writers
20th-century Buddhists
Social workers from Maharashtra
Converts to Buddhism from Hinduism
Indian Buddhists