Datto Vaman Potdar
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'Mahamahopadhyaya' Dattatray Vaman Potdar (August 5, 1890 – October 6, 1979), popularly known as Datto Vaman Potdar, was an eminent historian, writer and orator. He also worked as Vice Chancellor of University of Pune during 1961 to 1964. He was recipient of the ‘Padmabhushan’ award in 1967. For the versatility of his knowledge & diligence and spontaneous witty conversations he is called ‘Dr. Johnson of Maharashtra’. He was the disciple of ‘Itihasacharya’ Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade and also one of the trustee members of Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal’, Pune. His students and disciples include Swami Swaroopanand, Setu Madhavrao Pagadi, R.C. Dhere and many others.
Dattopant Potdar was among a generation of distinguished historians, some other prominent names being his guru V K Rajwade (who asked a ruler to 'keep one woman less' if he could not afford the grant which Rajwade was seeking), T S Shejwalkar, Ga Ha Khare (guru of Babasaheb Purandare), Na Ra Phatak, A K Priyolkar and Dattopant's student Setu Madhavrao Pagdi.
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[edit] Early Life
Born in the historical Sarpotdar family at village Birwadi in Raigad District of Maharashtra, Datto Vaman Potdar completed his matriculation from Nutan Marathi High School, Pune in 1906 and subsequently secured Bachelor’s degree from Fergusson College in 1910. His main subjects for graduation were History and Marathi. In 1911 he filled terms for post graduation in law and legislature, however, he could not complete it. He was appointed teacher in Nutan Marathi High School in 1912 and promoted Head Master in 1916. From 1921 to 1935 he worked as Professor in the New Poona College (later on S.P.College, Pune).
[edit] Later Life & Contribution
In 1910 Potdar was the only person other than V.K.Rajwade and Sardar Mehendale to be present for the formation of the ‘Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal’ in the Sardar’s mansion in Pune. Thenceforth he dedicated his entire life for the growth of the Mandal. For betterment of history of Maratha empire and Marathi literature he opted to be a lifelong bachelor. He wandered all over the country to search and collect historical documents and proofs, met mentors in the field of history, ran various organizations and periodicals, delivered thousands of speeches and inspired many people to study and present historical papers. He also organized free lecture series and training sessions for such people and students through the ‘Mandal’ and University of Pune.
Datto Vaman was fluent at Sanskrit. Writer Ravindra Pinge has recounted that Dattopant would sometimes visit Mantralaya and talk to the ICS officer Mr Pandurang Jayadev Chinmulgund in pure Sanskrit the whole day.
In his forties he was known to be so knowledgeable that people started describing him as a ‘Living Encyclopedia’. In 1965 he was officially appointed by the Government of Maharashtra to write the biography of Shivaji the great. He took tremendous efforts, gathered genuine papers & information and made detailed notes for this biography, however, due to his old age and busy schedule he could not complete it during rest of his life. He died on 6th October 1979 in Pune.
[edit] His works as a writer / historian
- Vasantik Upadesh in IX parts (Marathi) – 1917 to 1929
- Apale Pune (Marathi) – 1921
- Marathi Gadyacha Ingraji Avtar (Marathi) – 1922
- Thorle Madhavrao (Marathi) – 1928
- Bodhprad Pustika for students in XII parts (Marathi) – 1935
- Marathi Itihas va Itihas Sanshodhan (Marathi) – 1935
- Maharashtra Sahitya Parishadecha Itihas (Marathi) – 1943
- Jaypur Darshan (Marathi) – 1948
- Suman Saptak (Marathi) – 1950
- Maharashtra Deshachya Itihasache Sankshipt Varnan (Marathi) – 1951
- Samaj Shikshan Mala (Marathi) – 1952
- Shrote Ho ! (Marathi) – 1959
- Bharatachi Bhashan Samasya (Marathi) – 1960
- Me Europat kay pahile ? (Marathi) – 1960
- Olakh (Marathi) – 1961
- Inside Maharashtra (English) – 1964
- Lokmanya Tilakanche Sangati (Marathi) – 1975
Besides the above he is having to his credit more than 600 historical articles in Marathi and English since 1910.
[edit] His works as an Editor
- Devdas krut Sant Malika – 1913
- Marathe Va Ingraj – 1922
- Dr.Johnson yanche Charitra – 1924
- Sahitya Sopan – 1931
- N.M.V.Smarak Grantha – 1933
- Shivdin Kesari Krut Dnyan Pradeep – 1934
- Vaktrutva : Krushnashastri Chiplunkar – 1936
- Maza Pravas – Vishnubhat Godse – 1966
- English East India Company cha Peshwe Darbarshi farsi patravyavahar
- Vad yanchya Athwani : Parvatibai Paranjpe – 1971
[edit] His Association
He was closely associated with 68 organizations including the following few :
- Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, Pune
- Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya
- University of Pune
- University of Bombay
- Deccan Gymkhana
- Pune Marathi Granthalaya
- Shikshan Prasarak Mandali
- Pune Corporation
- Bhandarkar Institute
- Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad
- Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith
- Shri Chhatrapati Sambhaji Smarak Mandal
- Narvir Tanaji Smarak Mandal
- Sanyukta Maharashtra Parishad
- Peshwe Daftar Committee
- Ved Shastrottejak Sabha
- S.N.D.T.College
[edit] Select Honors & Acknowledgements
- 1939 – President of All India Marathi Meet at Nagar
- 1945 – President of Maharashtra Rashtra Bhasha Parishad
- 1945 – Vice Chancellor of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith
- 1946 – ‘Mahamahopadhyaya’ title by Government of India
- 1956 – Deputy of Bombay Government at Florence, Italy.
- 1960-1962 – First President of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal
- 1961 to 1964 – Vice Chancellor of the University of Pune
- 1962 – Honored as ‘Sanskrut Prachyavidya Pandit’ by Government of India
- 1963 – Leader of the committee of Indian Vice Chancellors for visit to Russia
- 1965 – Honored as ‘Vidya Vachaspati’ in the All India Hindi Meet at Prayag
- 1967 – Received ‘Padmabhushan’ from the President of India
- 1967 – ‘Doctor of Literature’ from Kashi Vidyapith
[edit] References
- ‘Datto Vaman’ by Shubhalaxmi Potdar
- ‘Potdar Vividh Darshan’ by D.P.Ranade
- Autobiography by Acharya P.K.Atre
- ‘Ashi Manase Yeti’ by Setu Madhavrao Pagadi
- ‘History of Sarpotdars’ by Harshad Sarpotdar
