Dhere Center

R.C.Dhere :
Life and Works

Dr. Dhere has touched every aspect of the ancient culture. The gods, rituals, philosophy and literature constitute any culture.

Biography

Dr. Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere was born on 21st July 1930 at Nigade, a small village near Pune.
He completed his primary education from Municipal School, Pune and secondary education from Poona English School and Poona Night School. In 1966, he completed his graduation. During his high school days he served as a proof reader in the local press. In 1975, he got his Ph.D. In 1980 he was honoured with a Doctorate in Literature (D.lit) by Pune University. In 2004, he received yet another of his D.lit.This was conferred upon him by the deemed University, Deccan college, Pune.
Since 1955 he has been writing on various subjects. Saint literature, Folk deities and gods, ‘Bhakti’ cult, holy places, folk literature, folk culture, folk art are his areas of studies. Some of his famous books are ‘History of Nath cult’ (Nath Sampradayacha Itihass), ‘History of Dutta Cult’ (Dutta Sampradayacha Itihaas), Chakrapani, Lajjagauri, Khandoba, In Search Of Indian Theater (Bharatiya Rangbhoomichya Shodhat), etc. Till now, a total 105 no. of his books have been published. These include his edited and prefaced works also.
Many national-international scholars refer his books to understand the cultural tradition of Maharashtra. Lot of international scholars also often cite his work in various fora and on official research platforms.
He is honoured with the ‘Maharashtra Gaurav’ award by Maharashtra Government, Lifetime Achievement Award by Maharashtra Foundation, Sahitya Academy Award and various awards by Pune and Mumbai University as well as Maharashtra Sahitya parishad, and a few other awards of Maharashtra government.
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Name

Other name

Description

Maharashtra cha gabhara

The Sanctum sanctorum of Maharashtra

A new look on the Maharashtriyan Gods and goddesses from the saints' approach.

Prachin Marathi Wangmay-Shodh ani samhita

Research and content of ancient Marathi literature

A definitive and directive discussion about research, critique and history of literature, on the backdrop of ancient Marathi literary art.

Prachin Marathichya Lokdhara

Folk based streams of Ancient Marathi Literature

This book introduces historic and prehistoric Marathi literature written by followers of Jain, Veershaiva, Ganpatya and Nagesh cults.

Lok Sahitya-Shodh ani Sameeksha

Folk Literature: Quest and critique

The book highlights importance of study of folk tradition with respect to a cultural quest.

Shri Tulajabhavani

In depth studies and analytical research of the of nature, worship (religious service) and impact of Goddess of Maharashtra, Tulajabhavani.

Charitraprabha

It is a expanded and sophisticated form of the books named as "Santanchya Atmakatha" and "Santanchya Charitrakatha". This book contains basic study of biographies and autobiographies in ancient Marathi literature.

'Mahamaya' along with Dr. Tara Bhawalkar

Literature of saints and sages and folk literature

Santsahitya ani Loksahitya

Search of the impact of literature of saints and sages on the people of Maharashtra in accordance with folk literature.

Shri Anandyatri

The book discusses the feminine element worshipped by devotees in the more mature form of deity and may be regarded as an extension of the author’s study of the fertility goddess or Lajjagauri.

Name

Other name

Description

Lajjagauri

It is a Researched volume, which gives new vision about the form and religious services of maternal deities. It also tells us about iconic world in Indian culture.

Shri Vitthal - A grand harmony of cultures

Shri Vitthal- Ek Mahasamnvay

The book tracks "Vaishnavification" and uplifting of a popular deity of cowherds and pastorals in Southern part of India.

Saint, Folk and Elites

Sant, Lok aani abhijan

In this book Nature of uplifting of Marathi folk culture and purification of racial culture which was shown by saints like Dnyaneshwar is explained.

Folk god of the South-Khandoba

Dakshinecha Lokdev- Khandoba

The book contains basic study about this deity who embraced, Andhra, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

In Search of Indian Theater

Bhartiya Rangbhoomichya shodhat

Search of connections between traditional performances and modern Indian Theater.

World of the folk deities and gods

Lok Devatanche vishwa

(Expanded and sophisticated edition of book "The Horizons of folk culture"- Lok Sanskritichi Kshitije) It tracks rise and development of folk deities in Maharashtra, expanses of People's belief behind their religious services and missing links of history of icons.

History of Dutta cult

Expanded edition of the book "Sri Nrsimha Saraswati-life and tradition"

It is a book which deals with the majesty of Dutta with reference to Maharashtra. This book unraveled Maharashtriyan tradition of worship of Dutta. This is the only authentic book devoted to Dutta among all Indian languages.

Artisans of Integrity

New edition of book Muslim saint poets

It is an introduction of life and works of known-unknown Muslim saint poets in Maharashtra.

Performers, custodians and practitioners of folk Culture (1964)

The book deals with the introduction of folk culture institutions like Vasudev, Gondhalee, Bhutya, Waghya-Moorali, Bharadi, Potraj and their historical Importance.

Organisation

Title

Year

Pune Marathi Granthalay , Pune Centenary celebration

Sahityasamrat N. C. Kelkar award

2019

Shri Tulajabhavani Mandir Sansthan Tulajapur

special felicitation for the book Shri Tulajabhavani

2008

Shri Vishnu das Mahurkar smrutimahotsav mandal Nanded

Shri Vishnu Das Mahurkar memorial award

2008

Sahakar maharshi Shankarrao Mohite Patil Pratishthan Solapur

sahakar maharshi sahitya puraskar

2008

Chinchwad Devsthan , Chinchwad

Shrimoraya lifetime achievement award

2007

Government of Maharashtra Dnyanoba

Tukaram Award

2007

Parvati Devasthan Pune

Shrimant Nanasaheb Peshave scholarship award

2007

Bharatiya Vidyabhavan and Adv. Nagarkar Foundation Pune

Lifetime achievement award

2005

Chatushrungi Seva samiti Pune

Jeevanvrata award

2005

Deccan college deemed University

Honourable D. Lit.

2004

Organisation

Title

Year

ShriFoundation sahitya

sevashri Award sangali

2005

Sant darshan Mandal (constituted by Shriram Sathe)

Pune sant darshan award

2005

Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune

N. R. Phatak memorial Award

2004

Jangamvadi veershaiva math , Kashi

Dr. Chandrashekhar Kapale memorial Award

2001

Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad , Pune

Mrutyunjay Award

2002

Shaniwarwada mahotsav samiti Pune

2000

Maharashtra Foundation America

Mumbai Lifetime Achievement Award

2000

Agrawal Trust Pune

Shrimahalakshmi Award

2000

Shrimant Dagadusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust, Pune

Gratitude Award

2000

Sahitya Parishad - Pune

S.D.Pendase award of Maharashtra

1999

Organisation

Title

Year

Mumbai University

A. k. Priyolkar memorial award

1998

Ahamadnagar

Shri Nanasaheb Naralkar scholarship Award

1998

Pune

Shri Dadamaharaj Natekar Award

1995

Solapur

Bhairuratan Damani Award

1993

Pune University

Sant Dnyanadeva Award

1991

Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad

S.M .Paranjape Award - Loksahitya - shodh ani samiksha

1991

Maharashtra State

Maharashtra Gaurav Award

1990

44 Sahitya sammelan of Sadanand Sahitya Mandal Audumber

Presidentship

1987

Maharashtra State Award

Shrivitthal Ek mahasamanvay

1984

Sahitya Akadami Award

Shrivitthal Ek mahasamanvay

1987

Organisation

Title

Year

Ichalkaranji Education and charitable Trust Award

Shrivitthal ek mahasamanvay

1988

Maratha institute

Sahitya Samrat N.C. Kelkar Award - Shrivitthal ek mahasamanvay Kesari

1984

Namdev Social Advancement Parishad Amrut Mahotsav

‘Samajbhushan’ prestigious medal

1983

Maharashtra State

Literature and Cultural Association honour

1983

Rajwade Research Association, Dhule

Honourable Membership

1981

Pune Municipal Corporation

Prestigeous medal

1980

Maharashtra State Award

Lajjagauri

1980

Pune University

Senior Research Associateship - For research Project Shri Vitthal : Deity, Cult and literature

1984

Deccan college

Senior research fellowship from UGC through - For research project ‘Balgraha’ a theological study

1978

Pune University

Dr. Y.V. Paranjape Award - Chakrapani

1977

Organisation

Title

Year

Maharashtra State Award

Chakrapani

1980

Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad Award

Murarimalla Virachit Balkadu

1978

Maharashtra State Award

Murarimalla Virachit Balkrida

1978

Maharashtra State Award

Shri Namdev Ek Vijay yatra

1971

Pune University

Chipalunkar Award - Musalman Marathi Sant Kavi

1969

Maharashtra State award

Musalman Marathi Sant Kavi

1969

Pune University Award

Khandoba

1961

Maharashtra State Award

Pravasi pandit

1961

Maharashtra State Award

History of Nath cult

1959

Maharashtra State Award

History of Datta cult

1959

Novel Methodology and Research Approach

Dr. Dhere’s work encompasses both the terms -‘discovery’ and ‘research’. These two terms have different shades. The first term is related to ‘knowing the hitherto unknown’ while second term deals with the system and interpretation of newly acquired knowledge and new vision about the knowledge. Research work of Dr. Dhere is the best composition of these two terms. Though Dr. Dhere’s research work mainly revolves around the subjects related to ancient or medieval literature, elite culture and folk culture, expanse of his research is vast. Ancient (Pre-historic) period to modern era, ancient deities to modern drama, expletives in the ancient inscriptions to oral Ovees- research area of Dr. Dhere has no limits.
Dr. Dhere’s vision about important resources and minor resources is very remarkable. It is closer to sociological approach rather than just the historical approach. He easily proves importance of minor resources in research and their capability to unravel complicated cultural occurrences through their applications. He never denies importance of any element of culture.
Study of any deity is always related to its devotee(s), is his basic theorem. So he always expands horizons of theogony up to the social psychology and also relates history of the religion to it.
He throws new light on auditory culture, relationship between speaker and listener and continuous religious nurturing of medieval society while studying medieval literature. He believes that study of oral literature is also important and also underlines cultural reference of the literature. He is aware, how the process of “Puranaization” of history and transformation of folk culture into the elite culture goes on continuously in when he studies folk culture. His researches repeatedly prove that Sthana-mahatmya and Jatipuranas are the important instruments of cultural history. His views about research are developed through balance and co-ordination of tradition and modernism, beliefs and emotion and intelligence, hard work and brilliance. It is based on his contention that like in the inventive literature creative genius is profoundly important in the field of research.

Research Areas

Dr. Dhere’s vision about important resources and minor resources is very remarkable. It is closer to sociological approach rather than just the historical approach. He easily proves importance of minor resources in research and their capability to unravel complicated cultural occurrences through their applications.

Ancient Literature

Dr. Dhere insists that medieval and ancient Marathi literary works should be assessed on the backdrop of the medieval and ancient cultures. Without this cultural context, even evaluation of these literary works will never be complete-forget

Folk Culture

Folk culture is not inferior as compared to elite culture. A conventional belief that folk culture is a' little tradition' and elite culture is a 'great tradition' in the study of history and culture is absolutely wrong.

Indian theatre and dramatics

Though Dr. Dhere is not a drama critique in established fashion, his writings related to drama and theater expands scope of understanding of roots and tradition of Marathi Theater. His minute observations related to Marathi Theater

Iconography

Dr. Dhere has used the study of images and symbols in the investigation of the development of gods and goddesses. For a researcher of religion and gods, the study of iconography is an inevitable tool.

Theogony

Theogony Dr. Dhere has touched every aspect of the ancient culture. The gods, rituals, philosophy and literature constitute any culture. Theogony is an important indicator in the study of culture. The concept of the divine force

Literature of Saints and Sages

Dr.Dhere's thought about the Literature of saints and sages is essentially linked to the studies and explorations of culture. With such a linkage, he is able to interpret this literature in a new as well as unconventional manner.

Sacred Geography

Dr.Dhere has always held the geography of a sacred place as an important tool of social history. He propounds that our understanding of India's cultural history will be deficient without the knowledge of such places.

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