‘Padma Shri’ for Maruti Chitampalli

 

 

A wave of happiness spread in the literary, social, and forest circles as the name of ‘Aranya Rishi’ Maruti Chitampalli figured in the list of ‘Padma Shri’ awardees declared on the eve of Republic Day on Saturday evening. Widely known as a wildlife conservationist and Marathi writer, now nonagenarian Maruti Chitampalli spent more than four decades in Vidarbha region before leaving for his native place Solapur in 2020. As soon as the news about ‘Padma Shri’ announced to Chitampalli spread, greetings started pouring in for him. Though he was in Solapur when the announcement was made, his acquaintances in Nagpur and Vidarbha expressed happiness that a man dedicated to the cause of forest and wildlife conservation was chosen for the coveted civilian honour. Born on November 5, 1932 at Solapur, Chitampalli studied Sanskrit, German, and Russian languages. A Forest Officer by training, he served in different forests and national parks.

 

He retired as Deputy Director of Melghat Tiger Reserve in 1990. His contribution in development of Navegaon National Park, Nagzira Sanctuary, Melghat Tiger Reserve, and Karnala Bird Sanctuary was instrumental. After retirement, he was actively associated with various organisations, and served on State Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee, Marathi Curriculum Committee, and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. He was President of the first Maharashtra Pakshimitra Sammelan held at Nashik in 1987. In his journey closely associated with the flora and fauna of forest-rich Vidarbha region, he walked around 3 lakh kms in search of new experiences. His seminal works ‘Pakshikosh’ and ‘Pranikosh’ took 12 years and 6 years respectively to see light of the day. When he left Nagpur, the draft of ‘Matsyakosh’ was ready.

 

Most of his books have been published by Sahitya Prasar Kendra, Nagpur. Many of his books have won prestigious awards including Maharashtra State Literature Award for three books namely ‘Jangalacha Dena’, ‘Ranwata’ and ‘Ratwa’. He was honoured with several awards including Nagbhushan Award (2008), Jeevanvrati Puraskar of Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh (2003), and Vasundhara Sanman (2009). Besides earning the sobriquet of ‘Aranya Rishi’ (Sage of Forests) for his unparalleled dedication towards the cause of unravelling the forests, he blossomed into a litterateur who has gifted 1,00,000 new words to Marathi, many of which he collected from tribals. Before moving to Solapur, Chitampalli stayed at Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, for quite some time.

 

 

Maruti Chitampalli had made a very thought-provoking observation in the introduction of his book‘ Jangalacha Dena’,“Stay in forest deepens one’s thinking. Feelings become purer... Jungle is a sacred centre of Indian philosophy of life. In that context, it has been our residence for ages. In the recent past, we have not been able to preserve the precious gift of Nature.

 

The feeling of thanklessness towards jungle is increasing in us, like an insolvent...” As was recorded by‘TheHitavada’ in October 2020, Chitampalli had become emotional while leaving Nagpur. In a select gathering at the residence of renowned litterateur late Principal Ram Shewalkar, Chitampalli not only recollected some of his experiences, but also mentioned that his foray into the world of literature had started with the ‘spell’ cast by the riches of Nagzira forest. He got acquainted with animals, birds, trees, and ‘life’, he had said. As his curiosity grew with each visit, he took notes in his diary, which, gradually became the foundation of his literary works. ‘