Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar

Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar aka Appa Dandekar (8 July 1916 – 1 June 1998) was a Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India.

Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar
Born	8 July 1916 Paratwada, Amravati district, Maharashtra, India
Died	1 June 1998 (aged 81) Maharashtra, India
Pen name	Appa Dandekar
Occupation	writer novelist biographer
Language	Marathi
Nationality	Indian
Genre	Fiction Historical novels Biographies Travelogues
Notable works	Smaran Gatha Shitu Pavanakathacha Dhondi Jait Re Jait
Notable awards	Sahitya Akademi Award (1976) Honorary D.Litt. from Pune University (1992)
Spouse	Neera Dandekar

Awards and honors

In 1976, Dandekar received a Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiographical work Smaran Gatha. He was elected president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held at Akola in 1981. He received an honorary D.Litt. degree from Pune University on 30 December 1992.

Personal life

Dandekar and his wife Neera Dandekar have a daughter, Veena Dev. Veena has two daughters: Marathi actress Mrinal Kulkarni, and Madhura.

Works

Autobiography

• Smaran Gatha

Novels

• Shitu
• Pavanakathacha Dhondi (1955)
• Padaghavli (Novel concerning a Brahmin family in coastal Maharashtra. It describes the lifestyle there in the 18th century.) (1956)
• Machivarala Budha (1958)
• Zunjar Machi
• Kuna Ekachi Bhramangatha
• Purnamaychi Lekare
• Ranbhuli
• Chhand Maze Vegle
• Tambadphuti
• Mrunmayi
• Aamhi Bhagirathache Putra (Novel based on the construction of Bhakra-Nangal dam on river Satlaj)
• Jait-Re-jait (A film based on this novel was later made by Jabbar Patel.)
• Baya Dar Ughad (Part 1 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
• Har Har Mahaadev (Part 2 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
• Daryabhavani (Part 3 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
• Zunzarmachi (Part 4 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
• He To Shrinchi Ichchha (Part 5 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)
• Rumaalee Rahasya
• Tya Tithe Rukhatali
• Waagharu
• Karnaayan
• ShriRamayan
• Tudavalele Gharkul
• " Bhillaveer Kalinga" a historical story/novel on Tribes of Narmada Banks.
• Krishnawedh
• "Aai Chi Denagi" 8 volumes of motivational stories from Indian History for children

Travelogues

• Durga Bhramangatha (Concerning wanderings among the hill forts of Maharashtra)
• Durga Darshan (Concerning wanderings among the hill forts of Maharashtra)
• Kille (Informative book about trekking routes in Sahyadri)
• Maharashtra Darshan (Informative book about Maharashtra, especially the rural parts).
• Narmadechya Tataaki
• Dakshin Waara

Biographical works

• Mogara Phulala (Based on the life and works of Dnyaneshwar)
• Das Dongari Rahato (Based on the life and works of Ramdas Swami)
• Anandvan Bhuvani
• Tuka Akaashaaevdhaa (Novel based on the life and works of Tukaram)
• The Last Kirtan of Gadage Baba
• Waadalatil Deepstambh (Novel based on story of Keshav Baliram Hedgewar the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh)
• Devaki Nandan Gopaalaa
• "Shree gadge maharaj" (the biography of maharashtras saint -majestic prakashan-pablisher book )