Dhondo Keshav Karve | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1858-04-18)18 April 1858 |
| Died | 9 November 1962(1962-11-09) (aged 104) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse(s) | Radhabai and Godubai |
| Children | 3, includingRaghunath Karve |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna (1958) Padma Vibhushan (1955) |
Dhondo Keshav Karve (18 April 1858 – 9 November 1962) (pronunciationⓘ), popularly known asMaharshi Karve, was a social reformer in India in the field ofwomen's welfare. He advocated widow remarriage, and he himself remarried a widow as a widower. Karve was a pioneer in promoting widows' education. He founded the first women's university in India, theSNDT Women's University in 1916.[1] TheGovernment of India awarded him with the highest civilian award, theBharat Ratna, in 1958, the year of his 100th birthday. He organized a conference against the practice ofdevdasi. He started 'Anath balikashram' an orphanage for girls. His intention was to give education to all women and make them stand on their own feet. Through his efforts, the first women university was set up in 20th century. In addition to his work in women's education, he actively campaigned against the caste system and played a key role in founding societies aimed at advancing primary education in rural areas[2].
The appellationMaharshi, which the Indian public often assigned to Karve, means "great sage".
Dhondo Keshav Karve was born on 18 April 1858, atSheravali, inRatnagiri district ofMaharashtra. He belonged to a lower middle-class Chitpavan Brahmin family and his father's name was Keshav Bapunna Karve.[3][4][5][6]
In 1884, he graduated with a degree in mathematics fromElphinstone College.[7]
During 1891–1914, Karve taught mathematics atFergusson College inPune, Maharashtra.[8][9]
In 1929, he visited Europe, America and Japan. During these travels, he metAlbert Einstein. During this world tour, he also raised funds for the university.[7]
Karve wrote two autobiographical works:Ātmawrutta (1928) in Marathi, andLooking Back (1936) in English.
The Marathi playHimalayachi Saavli (हिमालयाची सावली) (literal meaning, "The Shadow of the Himalayas". Contextually it means, under the cover of Himalaya) byVasant Kanetkar, published in 1972, is loosely based on the life of Karve. The character of Nanasaheb Bhanu is a composite character based on Karve and other Marathi social reformers of the late 19th and early 20th century. The play itself depicts the tension between Bhanu/Karve's public life as a social reformer and his family life due to the social backlash and economic hardships his children and wife had to endure.
The Story of Dr. Karve is a 1958 documentary film directed by Neil Gokhale andRam Gabale. It was produced by theGovernment of India'sFilms Division.[10]
The 2001 filmDhyaas Parva (ध्यास पर्व) byAmol Palekar, based on the life of Karve's sonRaghunath, also depicts the Karve family, and their social reformation projects.[11] Taluka Dapoli, a research based initiative, made a documentary on life of Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve in 2017.[12]
In his honour, Karvenagar in Pune was named after him & Queen's Road in Mumbai (Bombay) was renamed to Maharshi Karve Road.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Other | |
