Historian Babasaheb Purandare conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2015

Eminent Historian writer Babasaheb Purandare has been conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2015.
He was bestowed this award in literature category by Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a function held in Raj Bhava, Mumbai.

About Babasaheb Purandare

• Babasaheb Purandare was born as Balwant Moreshwar Purandare on 29 July, 1922. He is famously entitled as Shiv Shahir i.e. ‘Shivaji’s poet’.
• His famous work: He is being credited with writing the first historical work on 16th century Great Maratha king Chattrapati Shivaji. He is best known for his book Raja Shiv Chhatrapati and popular play Janata Raja.
• His book Raja Shiv Chhatrapati has more than 16 editions and widely read across the state. It is estimated that over 5 lakh copies of this book have been sold.
• Janata Raja play has been performed more than 850 times in last three decades after it was first staged in 1985. It has been staged in all over Maharashtra, Delhi, Bhopal, Agra and United States.

About Maharashtra Bhushan Award

• It is a highest civilian award of Maharashtra state presented annually by the state government.
• Establishment: It was instituted in 1995 by then Shivsena- BJP alliance government.
• Criteria: It was initially conferred in the fields of Art, Science, Literature and Sport. Later the other fields such as Journalism, Social Work, Public Administration and Health Services were included.
• Eminent Marathi writer and humourist Purushottam Laxman Deshpande was first recipient of this prestigious award in 1996.