Arjun Dangle

Born on 15th June 1945, Arjun Dangle is a poet, author, social and cultural theorist and political activist. He has dominated Marathi literature and participated in social movements in Maharashtra. y. He has not only contributed himself to the Dalit literary movement but guided aspiring authors of generation after generation. He not only dreamt of social equity on the lines of one enshrined in the Constitution, but as a political activist participated in many agitations and led the masses for achieving goal through political means. His contribution to Marathi literature, social reform movements, and fine understanding of Maharashtra's socio - political ethos needs to be recognised by the society.

Social and Cultural Activities

• Trustee : People's Improvement Trust - Founded by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
• Ex-President of prestigious Sane Guruji Rashtriya Smarak Trust
• Ex-Member: Maharashtra State Sahitya Sanskruti Mandal
• Advisor to the New York based Maharashtra Foundation working for Cultural and Social enrichment of Maharashtra
• Vice-President: Com. R. B. More Memorial Foundation Trust Mumbai
• Executive Trustee : Prof. D.D. Kosambi Educational Trust
• Life Member of Asiatic Society, Mumbai
• Founder : ANTAR BHARTI SAHITYA SANVAAD (Promotes cultural and literary Improvement Inter Language Engagement)
• Founder: Gen. Secretary, Dalit Sahitya Sansad
• Gen. Secretary: Maharashtra Baudha Sahitya Sabha
• Advisor: Samyak Sambodhi Foundation

Career:

Dangle is one of the founder members of the Dalit Panther, social and cultural organisation which played very significant and formidable role in giving a voice to Dalit across the country. The literary movement spearheaded by Dr. M. B. Chitnis, Dr. M. N. Wankhede, Baburao Bagul, Daya Pawar, Namdeo Dhasal and many others. Arjun Dangle had played very important and pivotal role in structuring and shaping this literary, cultural and social movement and organisation. Eventually this movement had spread to every nook and corner of the country and the world as well.

Defiance and protest was the hallmark of Dalit literary movement. Dangle has been one of the prominent authors who spearheaded this defiance and protest through his "Dalit Vidroh" a collection of works which decisively defied the old myths prevailing then in the mainstream literature. He established new norms, ideals and icons through his writings. He brought to the fore the activists who really were foot soldiers of Ambedkarite movement through his subtle anecdote "Maidanatil Manase". His characters were real and never fictitious. Innate characteristics of Ambedkarian movement were profoundly portrayed by him in his "Ambedkari Chalwaliche Antarang" and "Nile Adhorekhit". He very authoritatively presented the fundamental tenets of Dalit literary movement. Furthermore in his latest additions to the Dalit Literature world is "Zilkari; Chalwaliche" where in he has banned the history of foot soldiers in the Ambedkarite Movement.

As a poet, he not only won acclaim from the literary world but he was also accorded recognition from the Government of Maharashtra by honouring him the Rajya Puraskar to his "Chhavni Halte Ahe". Suppressed and oppressed voice of Dalits was given very subtle expression in his "Bandhavarchi Manasa". The real world of Dalits was picturised in this poetry and short stories which went on the become iconic legends in Dalit literature.

Nelson Mandela, legendary emancipator was very much impressed by Dangle's "Poisoned Bread", an anthology of Dalit literature translated to English which showed the actual status of Dalit Movement through the articles in Poisoned Bread by well-known poets and authors. In return in his gesture of appreciation, Nelson Mandela honoured Dangle by presenting him his autobiography "Long way to Freedom". This particular anthology has won him many accolades from different parts of the world.

Publications:

1. Chhavni Halte Ahe... collection of poems
2. Hee Bandhavarchi Manasa... collection of short stories
3. Dalit vidroh: collection of articles
4. Ambedkari Chalwaliche Antarang: collection of articles
5. Maidanatil Manase: anecdote
6. Niley Adhorekhit:collection of articles
7. Karyakaranbhav: Samaj ani Sahitya... literary criticism
8. Zilkari: Chalvaliche: anecdote
9. Nava Agenda Aunbedkari chala walicha chalawalicha (collection of articles )
10. Dalit Panther cha Itihas (upcoming)

Edited Work:

1. Dalit Sahitya: Ek Abhyaas
2. Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe : Nivdak Vangmay
3. Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad - Kal ani kartutva
4. Poisoned Bread: Anthology of Dalit Literature
5. Edited periodical - Prabuddha Bharat

Honours Received:

1. Life Achievement Award for Literature by Pune University, Maharashtra.
2. Maharashtra Rajya Puraskar for Chhavni Halte Ahe in 1978.
3. Lalji Pendse Puraskar as Samajwadi Vicharvant.  
4. Kalayyanyar Award by Publisher's Association Tamil Nadu.
5. All India Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Award for Literature. Nagpur
6. TACII 2014 Award for literature.  
7. Mahamata  Ramabai Ambedkar Smarak Samiti Award Pune.  
8. Phule - Ambedkar Sahitya Puraskar - Satara.
9. Samaj Bhushan  Puraskar Award by Bahujan Parivar - Ahmadnagar

Political activities:

He was founder member of militant organisation, Dalit Panther, which awakened dalit youths against social injustice and inequality in the society in 1970s.  

His political work was mainly  with Prakash Ambedkar , grandson of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for twenty five years in Bharatiya Republican Party as well as Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh. He was founder of Samyak Samaj Andolan for equality in all layers of society.

In view of propagating his political views , he has set up new political party, Republican Janashakti , which he is leading as its president.

Arjun Dangle

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