Every city has symbols of its unique identity. Nagpur city is fortunate to have been blessed with several such symbols that have survived through the weathers. One such symbol is Shivraj Finer-Art Litho Works, popularly referred to as Shivraj Press. The building holds a unique honour of having the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj atop. Today, as the Shivraj Press enters its centenary year, it is right time to recollect how it came into being and how it survived the test of time. Dattaji Ramji alias Dadasaheb Dhanwate is a name that is closely associated with the modern identity of the city of Nagpur. A person who worshipped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dadasaheb was good at drawing. To make both ends meet and support his family, he used to draw the portraits of dignitaries. While doing so, he got attracted towards the art of Lithography. He secured a job at Bolton Fine Art Litho Works in Mumbai, and learned the craft of the art. The lithographs he made of trademarks and labels etc of various companies won him accolades. In 1916, Dadasaheb thought of having own Lithograph Press.

 

 

He started efforts in that direction, and chose Nagpur for his dream project. At that time, he had to work hard to gather enough resources to bring to Nagpur the imported Lithograph machine of German-make. He decided to start the press in a big godown in Craddock Market (Santra Market) of Nagpur Municipality. The rent of Rs 45/- per month was fixed. A person who worshipped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dadasaheb named the press ‘Shivraj’, and chose the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj riding a horse as trademark of the company. He himself drew the image. Thus, on May 11, 1921, Shivraj Fine-Art Litho Works came into being in Nagpur. Then, beedi production business was booming in Central India and Shivraj Press started printing beedi labels etc. Similarly, the press started getting commercial printing works of Empress Mills, Model Mills, etc. Everything was going on well, till an eviction notice stating that it was violation of rules to rent out the building for a printing press. After considering several other locations, finally a plot of land to the south of Shukrawar Talao (Gandhi Sagar) was purchased for Rs 28,000/-. The contract for construction of new building was given to one Mr. Pawr.

 

The new building was ready in 1937, and the printing started with renewed vigour. Experts handled eight departments in the press. Dadasaheb’s elder son Vasantrao alias Baburao Dhanwate joined as Chief Manager. As the press handled almost all major printing works in Central India, the space in new building proved to be inadequate. Hence, new three-storeyed building was constructed. Shivraj Press has been a pioneer in printing industry in India. It brought the first three-colour offset printing rotary machine in India in 1948, brought giant process cameras, four-coloured German-make offset machine in 1965, German-make picture scanning machine etc.

 

Shivraj Fine-Art Litho Offset Works, Nagpur, enjoyed the ‘Number One’ position in entire Asia. It won almost all top awards in printing industry not only in India but also interationally. More than 500 skilled employees delivered wonderful performance while handling works from various Governments and leading industries. Considering the workload, Dadasaheb’s other sons namely Marotrao, Shyamrao, Shankarrao, Krishnarao, and Yashwantrao also joined the company. Later on, third generation of Dhanwate family also joined the business. Dadasaheb wanted a horse-riding statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Central India. Accordingly, Baburao Dhanwate got the 16-feet tall statue made from noted sculptor Sadashivrao Sathe from Delhi. Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister, graced the ceremony when the statue was installed atop the Shivraj Press building on January 6, 1959. However, events took unfortunate turn over the years and the press functioning got affected at various levels. This hit the procurement of raw material and also payment of monthly wages to employees.

 

The employee union approached the Government, following which Shivraj Press resumed functioning in August 1980, now as a part of Printing Department of Maharashtra Government. Every organisation weathers rough times in its existence, especially the organisations like Shivraj Fine-Art Litho Works that have a legacy of 100 years. However, they stand as symbols of pioneering effort in respective field. Today, on May 11, 2021, the city of Nagpur must celebrate centenary of this world-class institution -- Shivraj Fine-Art Litho Works. The building has the unique heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue atop it. Let us salute the pioneers on this occasion. (The author is Promoter of ‘Chhand Mahotsav’ event) n