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Saint Namdeo (29 October, 1270 - 1350) (Marathi: संत नामदेव) or Bhagat Namdeo (Gurmukhi: ਭਗਤ ਨਾਮਦੇਵ) was born on October 29, 1270 in the state of Maharashtra village of Narasi-Bamani, in Hingoli district (presently called Narsi Namdev). His father, a calico printer/tailor, was named Damshet and his mother's name was Gonabai. Most of the spiritual message of Bhagat Namdeo emphasized the importance of living the life of a householder (गृहस्थ जीवन) and that through marriage and having a family one could attain enlightenment.

Background[link]

The first biographer and auto-biographer in Marathi and the foremost proponent of Bhagawad-Dharma who propagated the religion right up to Punjab

Saint Namdev, a contemporary saint-poet of Saint Dnyaneshwar, is considered a prominent religious poet of Maharashtra. He was one the earliest writers who wrote in the Marathi language. He is the foremost proponent of the Bhagwad-Dharma who reached beyond Maharashtra, right into Punjab. He also wrote some hymns in Hindi and Punjabi. His depth of devotion and talent in delivering Kirtan was of such a high standard that it is said even the Lord Pandurang swayed to his tune. Despite being a proponent of the Warkari sect, Saint Namdev established religious unity across the country.

Saint Namdeo was born in the year 1270 in the village of Narasi-Bamani, now located in the Hingoli District in Maharashtra. He was born to a tailor named Damasheti Relekar and his wife Gonai. Yadusheth, his ancestor in the seventh generation, was a devotee of Bhagawad-Dharma. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Pandharpur, where the prominent temple of Lord Vitthal (also called Vithoba) is located. Saint Namdev’s spent the better part of his life, spanning eighty years, at Pandharpur. His parents were devotees of Vithoba.

Namdev showed little interest in the family profession. Even as a child his devotion to Lord Vitthal was extraordinary - his sole occupation was to spend day and night in devotion to Vithoba. His devotion was so sincere that sometimes he would consider Vithoba to be his dearest brother or his play mate. According to a legend, when Namdev was five years old, his mother once gave him some food offerings for Vithoba and asked him to give it to Vithoba in the Pandharpur temple. Namdev took the offerings and placed it before Vithoba's idol in the temple, asking Vithoba to accept the offerings. When he saw that his request was not being met, he told Vithoba that he would kill himself if Vithoba continued to ignore the offerings. Vithoba then appeared before him and ate the offerings in response to the utter devotion of young Namdev.

At the age of eleven, Namdev was married to Rajai. Namdev and Rajai had four sons namely Nara, Vitha, Gonda, Mahada and a daughter called Limbai. His elder sister Aubai also lived with them. There were in all fifteen people in the household.

The year 1291 was a turning point in his life at the age of twenty-one when he met Saint Dnyaneshwar. Several records in various saint literatures have been found to the following event -

Once, all the Saints like Dnyaneshwar, Nivruttinath, Sopandev, Muktabai, Namdeo, Chokhamela, Visoba Khechar, etc had congregated at Saint Goroba’s house in Terdhoki. As instructed by Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Goroba tapped each saint’s pot (head) to find out who was spiritually mature. The reference to the pot being tapped is because Saint Goroba was a potter and him being selected for the test shows his own spiritually maturity. On testing Saint Namdev, Saint Goroba expressed his opinion that Namdev was still immature, which was backed by Saint Muktabai. Miffed by this, Namdev complained to the Lord himself. But the Lord advised him to accept the guidance of Visoba Khechar and Namdev acquired a Guru.

He accepted Visoba Khechar as his ultimate Guru, through whom he actually saw the form of God.

His Kirtan have references to many holy books. This shows that he was well read and a great scholar. His Kirtan were so effective that it is said –

Namdev Kirtan kari, pudhe nache dev Panduranga (Namdev delivers his kirtan, in front of him dances the Lord Pandurang)

His goal in life was –

Nachu Kirtanache rangi, Dnyandeep lavu jagi (Will dance to the tune of Kirtan, light the lamp of knowledge the world over)

Namdev travelled through many parts of India, reciting his religious poems. In difficult times, he played the difficult role of uniting the people of Maharashtra spiritually. He is said to have lived for more than twenty years in the village of Ghuman in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. The Sikh brethren in Punjab consider him one of their own, singing praises of him as Namdev Baba. Bahordas, Laddha, VishnuSwami and Keshav Kaladhari were his disciples in Punjab. He composed around 125 Abhanga in Hindi. Sixty-one of these came to be included in Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib as Namdevjiki Mukhbani (The holy songs of Namdev). There is an amazing similarity between the ShabdaKirtan of Punjab and the Warkari Kirtan of Maharashtra. A memorial in Ghuman, Punjab commemorates him. Temples in his memory have also built in Rajasthan by the Sikh.

In his early fifties, Namdev settled down at Pandharpur where he gathered around himself a group of devotees. His Abhanga became very popular and people thronged to listen to his Kirtan. Approximately 2500 of Namdev's Abhanga have been collected in NamdevVaachi Gatha. The book also includes the long autobiographical poem Teerthaavali, talking about his travels in the company of Saint Dnyaneshwar. This poem makes him the first auto-biographer in Marathi literature. He has also written a biography on Saint Dnyaneshwar through Aadi, Samadhi and Teerthavali, which makes him the first Marathi biographer. He continued to propagate the Bhagawad-Dharma for 50 years after the death of Saint Dnyaneshwar. Saint Namdev is regarded to have had a significant influence on Saint Tukaram.

He died in July, 1350 at the age of 80 in Pandharpur at the feet of the Lord at Pandharpur. He preferred to be a stepping stone at the temple in Pandharpur so that he would be forever blessed by the touch of innumerable saints and devotees stepping on him into the temple.

गोबिंद गोबिंद गोबिंद संगि नामदेउ मनु लीणा ॥ आढ दाम को छीपरो होइओ लाखीणा
Gobindh Gobindh Gobindh Sang Namadhaeo Man Lena Aadt Dhaam Ko Shheparo Hoeiou Lakhena.
Naam Dayv's mind was absorbed into God Gobind Gobind, Gobind. The calico-printer, worth half a shell, became worth millions.
Sat Guru Arjan Dev Guru Granth Sahib (Page 487)
Namdeo was married before he was eleven years of age to Rajabal, daughter of Govinda Sheti Sadavarte. They had four sons and one daughter. Janabai, the family's maidservant and a devotee and poetess in her own right, records the tradition that Namdeo was born to Gonabai as a result of her worship of Vitthala in Pandharpur.

God's name was always on the lips of Namdeo. He was asked by the king to show miracles. He refused to do so and was thrown before a drunk elephant to be crushed to death.

Follows Bhakti Marg[link]

Under the influence of saint Jnanadeva, Namdev became part of the Bhakti Movement. Vitthala of Pandharpur was now the object of his devotion and he spent much of his time in worship and kirtan, chanting mostly verses of his own composition. In the company of Jnanadeva and other saints, he roamed about the country and later came to the Punjab where he is said to have lived for more than twenty years at Ghuman, in Gurdaspur district, where a temple in the form of samadhi still preserves his memory.

In his early fifties, Namdev settled down at Pandharpur where he gathered around himself a group of devotees. His abhangas or devotional lyrics became very popular, and people thronged to listen to his kirtan. Namdeo's songs have been collected in Namdevachi Gatha which also includes the long autobiographical poem Tirathavah.

His Hindi verse and his extended visit to the Punjab carried his fame far beyond the borders of Maharashtra. Sixty-one of his hymns in fact came to be included in the Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. His hymns or shabads were very much a inspiration to the Sikh Gurus and they were able to identify the God in Namdeo's hymns with the Sikh version of the formless God.

Remembrance of God's Name central[link]

Namdeo is a pioneer of the Radical bhakti School. Though he appeared a century earlier than Kabir, his religious and social views are very much like those of Kabir. He unambiguously repudiates all the four fundamentals of Vaisnavism. Though in his devotional approach, he is clearly a monotheist, he makes many pantheistic statements too, e.g., every thing is God; there is nothing but God; consider the world and God to be one; the foam and the water are not different. Chaturvedi writes: "Sant Namdeo seemed to believe both in transcendence and immanence, in pantheism and nondualism.

His devotion was purely of the non-attributional absolute. He also considers God to be immanent, everywhere, in all hearts, and the Creator of everything. Like Kabir and the Sufis, Namdeo is very other worldly. He says, "The strength of contempt of the world should be in the body an unchanging companion.

Message of Unity for all[link]

One should lay aside differences between oneself and others, and feel no anxiety for things of the world. Ranade also writes: "He (Namdeo) tells us that it is impossible that the pursuit of God can be coupled with a life of Samsara. If it had been possible for a man to find God while he was pursuing Samsara, then Sanaka and others would not have grown mad after God. If it had been possible for him to see God while carrying on the duties of a householder, the great Suka would not have gone to the forest to seek God. Had it been possible for people to find God in their homes, they would not have left them to find out. Nam Dev has left all these things, and is approaching God in utter submission." (Abhg. 83)

Namdeo's cosmogenic views are also orthodox. He says that God created maya and "maya is the name of the power that placeth man in the womb." Indirectly, he is neither happy with the world, nor with human birth. To him, shop, shopkeeper, men and everything are unreal excepting God. Against this background he sought release from the world and suggested renunciation: "Namdeo gave up trade, and devoted himself exclusively to the worship of God".

The world being a play of maya and not being a worthwhile arena for spiritual endeavours, Namdeo's goal was to have union with God through devotion and singing His praises. He says, "I perform worship, sing God's praises and meditate on Him for eight prahar in a day i.e., round the clock. At the same time, he suggests good conduct and purity of life. For, God created all men alike. Though he holds every person responsible for his acts, he clearly does not believe in a world rigidly governed by karma. Because he says: If everything were determined by karma, who created karma originally?

Sant Namdeo not only claims union with God, but, like Kabir, also states that more than once God miraculously intervened on his behalf to reveal Himself to him, or help him. Without doubt, Namdeo's approach remains otherworldly both before and after his achievement. At one time, he even gave up work so as to remain absorbed in his worship and meditations. He never initiated any religious institution or movement. His was a solitary search for God, without creating any social or religious organisation.

We find that in his repudiation of Vaisnava doctrines, in his metaphysical ideas, methodology and goal, and more particularly in his otherworldly approach to the world and society, Namdeo's views are quite identical with those of Kabir.

The shabad by Bhagat Namdeo in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib where the temple rotated towards his direction as he was not allowed to sit in there.

Gurdwara & Temple[link]

Ghoman is situated about 26 KM Southeast of Batala city and about 10 KM from Sri Hargobindpur. It is towards west side of Sri Hargobindpur. Ghoman is associated with Baba Namdeo (1270–1350). Baba Namdeo was the founder of this town and meditated here for 17 long years. Here he did miraculous deeds.

The eastern entrance to this temple is known as the Namdeo gate (after the great 13th century Vaishnava saint). The sanctum enshrines the standing image of Vithoba also known as Panduranga, Pandhari or Vitthala. Stylistically the image dates back to the 5th century. There are inscriptions in this temple dating back to the 13th century which place origin of this shrine to the 6th century.

Profession of Chhimba[link]

Namdeo is referred to as a chhimba, "cẖẖīpro", "Cẖẖīpė" and "cẖẖīpā". This refers to Bhagat ji's profession as a printer of cloth. Chhippas were calico printers/artists and used to decorate, colour and print textiles with art work. Some of them were also tailors as this was a profession connected with clothes.

External links[link]

• Saint Namdeo Maharaj
• Saint Namdev
• Religion and public memory By Christian Lee Novetzke
• Sant Namdev on Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2011)

Suresh Wadkar
Wadkar at the launch of Sonu Nigam's album Classically Mild
Background information
Born	1954 (age 57–58)
Genres	film music (playback singing), Indian classical music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1976–present

Suresh Ishwar Wadkar (Marathi: सुरेश ईश्वर वाडकर, born 1954) is an Indian playback singer. He performs in both Hindi and Marathi films.He has sung songs in some Bhojpuri films and in Konkani.

Early life[link]

Suresh Wadkar from Bhandari Caste , was born in Kolhapur at post. Dindnerli Tal. Karvir, India. At the age of 8, he began acquiring basic music education from Jialal Vasant. He soon impressed his guru with the quality of his voice. He began performing on the stage at a very early age.

Music Teaching life[link]

Back in 1968, when Suresh Wadkar was barely 13, Acharya Jialal Vasant entrusted him with a student to initiate in Tabla. A year later, he was given the responsibility of a group of youngsters to teach vocal classical. Our system of education in music makes it mandatory to teach before you appear for your graduation in music through Prayag Sangit Samiti, because there “Prabhakar” certificate is equivalent to B. Ed. and it authorizes you to teach professionally. Guruji made every child studying for Senior Diploma, to sit in the class of 1st year with an experienced teacher and learn the process of “teaching”. Suresh successfully completed his “Prabhakar” and joined “Arya Vidya Mandir, Mumbai as a music teacher. A lot of famous “stars” of today had the opportunity to learn from him.

Acharya Jialal Vasant, announced during his felicitation function organized by his students on May 1985. He said, “We continuously talk about the benefits one enjoys when one is blessed with a good Guru. But let me tell you, that every Guru looks for at least one student, who can take his torch forward. I have been, I must say, very fortunate to get ‘the’ student; I have always looked for in Suresh. I am fully confident that he will leave no stone unturned to accomplish what I desire the most – to attain excellence both as a singer & a teacher. I feel that my mission is fulfilled.”

He has a music school in Mumbai, India (www.ajivasan.com) and New Jersey/New York, USA (www.sureshwadkarmusic.com) where methodical training is given to students.

Suresh Wadkar added a new chapter in his Music life when he started the First Online Music teaching school "SWAMA" (Suresh Wadkar Ajivasan Music Academy) under Ace Open University.

Singing career[link]

Though groomed for Indian classical music, he entered the Sur-Singar competition in 1976. Wadkar won the competition which was judged by composers from the Indian film industry including Jaidev. Jaidev later offered him the song "Seene Mein Jalan" in the film Gaman (released in 1978). He also performed in the film Paheli (released 1977).

At the time, Lata Mangeshkar was so impressed with his voice that she strongly recommended him to film personalities including Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Khayyam and Kalyanji-Anandji.^[1] Laxmikant-Pyarelal, impressed with his voice, soon recorded a duet with Lata "Chal Chameli Bagh Mein" for Krodhi (released in 1981). Soon after, he was given the opportunity to perform for songs in Hum Paanch, Pyaasa Sawan ("Megha re Megha Re") and above all, his turning point in films - Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (released in 1982).

Wadkar also produced the film Tanman.com.^[2] He was a judge on the Indian TV singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs International and at the 2005 Sanjeet Awards.^[3]

Suresh Wadkar has for the first time sung a song in the upcoming Tamil film Kanden Kadhalai. This film is an adaptation of the Hindi Blockbuster Jab We Met. The song is a ghazal type song called "Naan Mozhi Arindhaen".

His voice has been acknowledged to have a quality for devotional songs. He has sung numerous devotional songs in various languages.

In 1996, Wadkar sang Channeache Rati among several other songs in Rajendra Talak's Konkani album Daryachya Deger with Asha Bhosle.

In a recent program, Suresh Wadkar gave credit to Ravindra Jain for shaping his singing career.

Marathi Music career[link]

Suresh Wadkar has worked with some of the top class Marathi music directors like Pt.Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Sudhir Phadke, Shrinivas Khale, Shridhar Phadke, Vasant Desai, Ashok Patki, Anil-Arun etc. Some of his notable marathi songs are:

• Dayaghana with pt.Hridaynath Mangeshkar
• Kaal dehasi ala khau with Shrinivas Khale
• tula pahile mi with Shridhar Phadke
• Omkar swaroopa
• Pahile Na Mi Tula

Stage Performances[link]

Suresh Wadkar often performs with other legendary artistes such as Zakir Hussain, Shrinivas Khale, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, and Kavita Krishnamurthy for numerous stage performances.

Personal life[link]

Wadkar is married to classical singer Padma.^[4] He has two daughters, Ananya and Gia.

Awards[link]

In 1976, Wadkar won the Madan Mohan Best Male Singer Award at the Sur-Singar competition.^[5]

He also won the 2007 Maharashtra Pride Award which is given by the government of Maharashtra to citizens of note.^[6]

He is also a recipient of the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar instituted by Madhya Pradesh government.

In 2011, he won the National Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (Marathi).

Collaborators[link]

Suresh Wadkar has sung for a variety of composers in the Indian film industry. These include:

• Shrinivas Khale (Marathi)
• Shridhar Phadke (Marathi)
• Anil-Arun
• Laxmikant Pyarelal
• Kalyanji Anandji
• R.D. Burman
• Ilayaraja
• Ravindra Jain
• Bappi Lahiri
• Khaiyyam
• Usha Khanna
• Arun Paudwal
• A.R. Rehman
• Vidyasagar
• Nadeem-Shravan
• Vishal Bhardwaj
• Rajesh Roshan
• Raamlaxman
• Shiv-Hari
• Jatin-Lalit
• Hridayanath Mangeshkar
• Shridhar Phadke
• Anand-Milind
• Anu Malik
• Himesh Reshammiya
• Shanker
• Ravi
• Chitragupta
• Jaidev
• Brahma Kumaris
• Kaushal Inamdar

Selected filmography[link]

• 7 Khoon Maaf(2011)
• Kanden Kadhalai(2009) (Tamil)
• Kaminey (2009)
• Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi (2008)
• Omkara (2006)
• Vivah (2006)
• Bal Ganesh (2006)
• Indra (2002)
• Hu Tu Tu (1999)
• Sar Utha Ke Jiyo (1998)
• Satya (1998)
• Maachis (1996)
• Prem Granth (1996)
• Rangeela (1995)
• Guddu (1995)
• Aaina (1993)
• In Custody (1993)
• Parampara (1992)
• Dil Aashna Hai (1992)
• Thalapathi (1991)
• Lamhe (1991)
• Lekin... (1991)
• Henna (1991)
• Kurbaan (1991)
• Aaj Ka Samson (1991)
• Patthar Ke Phool (1991)
• The Blow (1991)
• Shiva (1990)
• Parinda (1989)
• Bhrashtachar (1989)
• Toofan (1989)
• Purani Haveli (1989)
• Chandni (1989)
• Hero Hiralal (1988)
• Libaas (1988)
• Thikana (1987)
• Hifazat (1987) directed by Prayag Raj
• Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
• Utsav (1984)
• Sadma (1983)
• Masoom (1983)
• Disco Dancer (1982)
• Prem Rog (1982)
• Hum Paanch (1980)
• gaman (1978)
• Paheli (1977)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Suresh Wadkar at the Internet Movie Database
• Suresh Wadkar sings Marathi ghazal

(Marathi:भरत जाधव) (English:Bharat Jadhav) is a popular Marathi theatre and film actor. He is known as a comedian, particularly when working in commercial Marathi cinema and drama. His play Sahi re Sahi is one of the most successful Marathi plays ever^{[citation needed]}. He has also starred in Shrimant Damodarpant, All the Best,^{[disambiguation needed ]} and Aamchya Sarkhe Aamhich.

He began his acting career in 1985, when he joined Maharashtrachi Lokdhara dance troupe, under the guidance of Sahir Sable.^[1]

Bharat Jadhav's official website(www.bharatjadhav.com) was released on 11 April 2010, which was designed and developed by his close friend Vikas Kore Director - BizCAT Entertainment Australia in Sydney,Australia, which was launched in the presence on respected Raj Thackeray, in Kohinoor Hall, Dadar.

BizCAT Entertainment Australia will be taking all the steps to make Bharat Jadhav as a Global Icon of the Marathi Film Industry, and name him as a 'Maharashtra Cha Sahi Nayak'.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bharat Jadhav Official website
• Bharat Jadhav Association with BizCAT Entertainment Australia
• IMDB page
• Review of Jatra (2006)
• Movie stills from Jatra
• Bharat Jadhav in Marathi Video
• Bharat Jadhav in Drama at early stages
• Stills of Bharat Jadhav From Marathi Movies

This article about an Indian actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Sonali Kulkarni
Sonali's portrait that appears on the cover of her book So Kool
Born	(1974-11-03) 3 November 1974 (age 37) Pune, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Film actress
Years active	1990–present
Spouse	Chandrakant Kulkarni (divorced) Nachiket Pantvaidya (m.2010-present; 1 child)
Children	1 daughter (b. 18 Oct 2011)
Website
http://www.sonalikulkarni.org

Sonali Kulkarni (born 3 November 1974) is an Indian actress. She was born in Pune. She has worked in Marathi and Hindi films. She is known for her roles in Dil Chahta Hai, Singham, Taxi No 9211, and Gair.

Career[link]

Sonali Kulkarni first made her appearance on the screen in a Kannada film titled Cheluvi directed by Girish Karnad. She thereafter has appeared in many films, which includes an Italian film titled Fuoco Di Su Me for which she won an award in the 2006 Milan International Film Festival.

She has received a Special Jury Award (non-feature) in the 49th National Film Awards (2002) for her role in a short film in Marathi Chaitra.^[1]

Apart from acting, she was an editor with Viva, a supplement of Marathi daily newspaper Loksatta from June 2005 till May 2007. She used to pen a weekly column called "So Kool". The columns are published in the book So Kool by Rajahansa Prakashan.^[2] Actor Nana Patekar on the release of this book said, "Whenever I read her articles, I feel she is talking to me. There is so much of simplicity in her writing."

Kulkarni showed her dancing skills in the second season of the popular celebrity-dance competition show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Sony TV.

She has also worked with Doordarshan channel and did some films like 'Gulabari' in 1994 in Hindi which telecast in 1995 and 'Kata Rute Kunala' in 1996 in Marathi for which she has also got RAPA Award-Best television performance of the year.

She was also seen in one story (Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai-Directed by Tanuja Chaturvedi) of Star Bestsellers TV Series telecast in 1999-2000 on Star Plus.

Personal life[link]

Sonali was born in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family at Pune, Maharashtra. Her father is an engineer and she has two brothers: Sandeep and Sandesh. She completed her schooling from Abhinava Vidyalaya and did her graduation from Ferguson College, where she majored in Political Science and got a scholarship in Marathi literature. For her interest in acting she attended a workshop by Satyadev Dubey after which she and Sandesh formed a theater group called Samanvay. Sandesh is now a film director.

Sonali with her husband Nachiket Pantvaidya at a Star Parivaar Awards event

Sonali's first brief marriage with Chandrakant Kulkarni, film director and writer, ended in a divorce. Since May 24, 2010 she is married to Nachiket Pantvaidya.^[3][4] Pantvaidya is MD of Fox TV Studios and this is also his second marriage. Together they have one daughter born on October 18, 2011.^[5]

Awards[link]

Won[link]

• 1996: RAPA Awards, "Best television performance of the year", "Kata Rute Kunala (Marathi)"
• 1996: Filmfare Awards(Marathi), "Best Actress", Doghi
• 2002: National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Non-Feature Film), Chaitra
• 2004: Star Screen Awards(Marathi), "Best Actress", Devrai
• 2005: Milan International Film Festival, "Best Actress", Fuoco Di Su Me (Fire At My Heart)^[6]

Nominated[link]

• 2001: Filmfare Awards, Best Supporting Actress, Mission Kashmir
• 2001: Screen Weekly Awards Best Supporting Actress, Mission Kashmir

Filmography[link]

Reality TV shows[link]

• Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi on Colours TV
• Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Sony TV