Aisi kalvalyach jati (ऐसी कळवळ्याची जाती) by Prof. Milind Joshi

"Aisi kalvalyach jati (ऐसी कळवळ्याची जाती)", by Prof. Milind Joshi. This book is published in 2012 by Continental and has 210 pages.

This book is a collection of 17 word sketchs (व्यक्तीचित्रे). First three are author's mother, father and grandmother. These people have played an important role in shaping author's life. Author has described these personalities out of his love for them.

Next 14 are famous and revered personalities and men of letters (साहित्यिक) in Maharashtra. I have seen Principal Shivajirao Bhosle since childhood, but got to know something new about his personality.

Milind informs us that Mrutyunjarkar Shivaji Sawant (शिवाजी सावंत) was not an army man although he wore beret. Mrutyunjay is most sold novel in Marathi and was nominated for Nobel. Prof. Ram Shewalkar (प्रा. राम शेवाळकर) leading light of literature.

He goes on to present Gan.Na. Joglekar (गं.ना. जोगळेकर), an outspoken personality who was criticized but who did a lot of organizational work for Marathi literature. Nirmalkumar Phadkule (निर्मलकुमार फडकुले), man with a sweet tongue. Emotional & pure of heart, Da.Ma.Mirasdar (द. मा. मिरासदार), Dr. Da. Bhi. Kulkarni (द. भि. कुलकर्णी), the critique. Simplicity of Poet Grace (कवी ग्रेस) against perceived unfriendliness.

Chief of Bharti vidyapeeth Shivajirao Kadam (शिवाजीराव कदम). Police investigation story writer and editor Va. Kru. Joshi (व.कृ. जोशी). Radio producer and writer Jyotsna Devdhar (ज्योत्स्ना देवधर). One of the best known Marathi poet and lyricist (जगदीश खेबुडकर).

He has forcefully supported Suneeta Deshpande (सुनिता देशपांडे), wife of the great Pu. La. Deshpande (पु.ल.देशपांडे), who was criticized for her book 'Ahe manohar tari' (आहे मनोहर तरी) and finally poet Data Halasgikar (दत्ता हलसगीकर)

Milind has succeeded in penetrating the veneer of fame and look at the person beneath. Although it is interesting to know things about famous personalities that are not really available in public domain, the narration seems to be unorganized. I know that Milind Joshi writes better than this.

All these articles were individually published earlier in magazines at various times. They are compiled in this book 'as is'. It has caused repetition of a phrases, sentences and references. This might be one of the reasons for the unorganized appearance. Some touch up and editing before publishing should have been done to bring uniformity and continuity.

An OK book. Read if you want to know about these personalities.