CM Fadnavis Remembers 'Shivshahir' Babasaheb Purandare on Birth Anniversary
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 29 July 2026 honoured legendary historian and 'Shivshahir' Babasaheb Purandare on his birth anniversary, praising his scholarship that brought Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy into every Marathi household across generations.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to Babasaheb Purandare on his birth anniversary on 29 July 2026 .
Purandare was awarded the Padma Vibhushan (India's second-highest civilian honour) and the Maharashtra Bhushan .
He earned the title 'Shivshahir' — bard of Shivaji — for his landmark play Raja Shivchatrapati and decades of historical writing on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj .
Fadnavis described Purandare as someone who brought the concept of Hindavi Swarajya into every household through scholarly storytelling.
Commemorating historians linked to the Maratha legacy is a recurring feature of Maharashtra's official political calendar.
He gave Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj back to the people — not as a distant monument, but as a living, breathing force in every Marathi home. On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to Padma Vibhushan and Maharashtra Bhushan awardee 'Shivshahir' Babasaheb Purandare on his birth anniversary, honouring the legendary historian whose storytelling kept the spirit of the Maratha Empire alive across generations.
Posting in both English and Marathi, Fadnavis described Purandare as 'an eminent writer and a legendary historian, whose powerful storytelling kept the inspiring history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj alive in the hearts of generations.' In Marathi, he wrote: 'आपल्या अभ्यासपूर्ण लेखणीतून छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांचे रयतकल्याणकारी हिंदवी स्वराज्य घराघरात पोहोचवणारे' — 'one who, through scholarly writing, brought the people-welfare-oriented Hindavi Swarajya of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj into every household.' He offered 'koti koti vandan' — crores of salutations — to the historian's memory.
The Man Who Made Shivaji Maharaj a Household Name
Babasaheb Purandare was among the most celebrated chroniclers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century founder of the Maratha Empire. His landmark historical play Raja Shivchatrapati drew massive audiences across Maharashtra for decades, turning archival history into lived cultural experience. Purandare earned the title 'Shivshahir' — the bard of Shivaji — for exactly this gift: translating rigorous historical scholarship into stories that resonated far beyond lecture halls and libraries. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, and the Maharashtra Bhushan, the state's most prestigious cultural recognition — twin honours that cemented his place as a pillar of Marathi intellectual and cultural life.A Recurring Observance in Maharashtra's Political Calendar
Fadnavis's tribute is part of a well-established tradition in Maharashtra's public life. Senior political figures across the state regularly mark the birth and death anniversaries of historians and writers linked to the Shivaji legacy, weaving Maratha history into the fabric of official commemoration. For the ruling BJP, whose cultural politics are deeply rooted in regional pride and historical memory, paying homage to figures like Purandare carries both symbolic and political weight. The historian's work continues to shape how Maharashtra — and India — understands the idea of Swarajya: self-rule built on the welfare of common people, or rayat. That idea, Purandare argued through every book and stage performance, was Shivaji Maharaj's most enduring gift. As long as that story is told, the bard who told it best will not be forgotten.Point of View
Whose life's work translated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy into mass culture, reinforces the party's claim to the mantle of regional pride. In a state where Shivaji's legacy is politically contested terrain, these annual observances serve as quiet but deliberate acts of cultural positioning. The tribute also underscores how Maharashtra's political class treats historians and writers as pillars of public life, not merely academic figures.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Babasaheb Purandare?
Babasaheb Purandare was a celebrated Marathi historian, writer, and playwright known for his extensive works on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and Maharashtra Bhushan, and earned the title 'Shivshahir' — meaning the bard of Shivaji.
What is Babasaheb Purandare's birth anniversary date?
Babasaheb Purandare's birth anniversary falls on 29 July. In 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to him on this day.
What is the play Raja Shivchatrapati?
Raja Shivchatrapati is Babasaheb Purandare's landmark historical play about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was performed to large audiences across Maharashtra for decades and is considered one of the most influential works on the Maratha king's life.
What does 'Shivshahir' mean?
'Shivshahir' is a Marathi title meaning 'the bard of Shivaji.' It was conferred on Babasaheb Purandare in recognition of his lifelong work in documenting and popularising the history and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
What is Hindavi Swarajya?
Hindavi Swarajya refers to the self-rule established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century, centred on the welfare of common people or rayat . Babasaheb Purandare's writings and plays made this concept widely accessible to ordinary Marathi-speaking households.
