Namdeo Dhasal

Author profile

born
in Pune, India
February 15, 1949


died
January 15, 2014

gender
male

genre
Poetry, Nonfiction, Politics


About this author
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Namdeo Laxman Dhasal is a Marathi writer and Dalit activist from Maharashtra, India.
Poetry
1) Golpitha (1973)
2) Tuhi Iyatta Kanchi
3) Khel
4) Moorkh Mhataryane
5) Priya Darshini
6) Ya Sattet Jiv Ramat Nahi
7) Gandu Bagichha
8) Mi Marale Suryachya Rathache Sat Ghode
9) Tuze Boat Dharoon Mi Chalalo Ahe
10) Dilip Chitre translated a selection of Dhasal's poems into English under the title Namdeo
Dhasal: Poet of the Underworld, Poems 1972-2006

Prose
Ambedkari Chalwal (1981)
Andhale Shatak (1997)
Hadki Hadavala
Ujedachi Kali Dunia
Sarva Kahi Samashtisathi
Buddha Dharma: Kahi Shesh Prashna

Awards and honors

Dhasal received Soviet Land Nehru Award (1974) for Golpitha.
He received the Maharashtra State Award for literature in 1973, 1974, 1982, and 1983; and
Padma Shr...more




Dalit poet and author, idealogue and founder of the militant Dalit
Panthers Party, Namdeo Laxman Dhasal ( ), died
today early morning 4 am at Bombay Hospital after a prolonged battle
with cancer. He was 64 and use to live with his wife Malika Sheikh and a
son. His funeral will be held at Dadar crematorium Thursday afternoon
and till then his body will be kept in Mumbais Ambedkar College for
people to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
Here are 5 Very Interesting Unknown Facts
about Namdeo Laxman Dhasal:
He was Maharashtras leading Dalit poet and the only Indian poet to
have received a Lifetime Achievement Award from countrys apex
literary institution, the Sahitya Akademi.
His poetry was very striking and complex but it made sensation at
international literature festivals. Only his few poems were published in
Hindi, Bangla and English translations.
Namdeo grew up in Mumbais infamous red light district, has rubbed
shoulders with notorious gangsters as well as the top political leadership
of Maharashtra; hes been awarded a Padma Shri, and is rated highly
among contemporary Marathi writers.
Namdeo used to speak only Marathi and very few non-Marathi readers
knew that Namdeo was not only an outstanding poet but also the author
of two impressive novels.
Namdeos lifestyle was flamboyant, larger-than-life, but his young
followers found him transparent and direct, human and honest. Namdeo
somehow summoned the energy to lead young dalits across
Maharashtra. His appeal had survived the years.
Namdeo Dhasals Works:
Poetry
Golpitha (1973)
Tuhi Iyatta Kanchi
Khel
Moorkh Mhataryane
Priya Darshini
Ya Sattet Jiv Ramat Nahi
Gandu Bagichha
Mi Marale Suryachya Rathache Sat Ghode
Tuze Boat Dharoon Mi Chalalo Ahe
Dilip Chitre translated a selection of Dhasals poems into English under
the title Namdeo Dhasal: Poet of the Underworld, Poems 1972-2006.
Prose
Ambedkari Chalwal (1981)
Andhale Shatak (1997)
Hadki Hadavala
Ujedachi Kali Dunia
Sarva Kahi Samashtisathi
Buddha Dharma: Kahi Shesh Prashna

(1972),

(1975),
: (1976),

(1981),
(1983),

(1986),
(1995),

-
(1972),

(2009),

(2004)

/

His famous poem:Kamatipura
The nocturnal porcupine reclines here
Like an alluring grey bouquet
Wearing the syphilitic sores of centuries
Pushing the calendar away
Forever lost in its own dreams
Mans lost his speech
His gods a shitting skeleton
Will this void ever find a voice, become a voice?
If you wish, keep an iron eye on it to watch
If theres a tear in it, freeze it and save it too
Just looking at its alluring form, one goes berserk
The porcupine wakes up with a start
Attacks you with its sharp aroused bristles
Wounds you all over, through and through
As the night gets ready for its bridegroom, wounds begin to blossom
Unending oceans of flowers roll out
Peacocks continually dance and mate
This is hell
This is a swirling vortex
This is an ugly agony
This is pain wearing a dancers anklets
Shed your skin, shed your skin from its very roots
Skin yourself
Let these poisoned everlasting wombs become disembodied.
Let not this numbed ball of flesh sprout limbs
Taste this
Potassium cyanide!
As you die at the infinitesimal fraction of a second,
Write down the small s thats being forever lowered.
Here queue up they who want to taste
Poisons sweet or salt flavour
Death gathers here, as do words,
In just a minute, it will start pouring here.
O Kamatipura,
Tucking all seasons under your armpit
You squat in the mud here
I go beyond all the pleasures and pains of whoring and wait
For your lotus to bloom.
A lotus in the mud.