Noted author, literary figure Shubhangi Bhadbhade, passed away on Monday early morning. She was 80. There are 80 novels, two short story collections, and numerous essays and articles and biographical novels to her credit. Last rites will be performed at Ambazari ghat on Tuesday at 10 am. Bhadbhade founded the ‘Padmagandha Pratishthan’, and provided a platform to the writers from Vidarbha. This Pratishthan conducted several activities to encourage young women writers.

 

It was the last appearance of Bhadbhade when she attended the launch of Dr Bharati Sudame’s translated novel ‘Mi Aryaputra’. Bhadbhade was a recipient of the Maharashtra Sahitya Sabha’s poetry award, the Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh’s Ekankika Writing Award, the Sahitya Academy Award, the Katha Award of Baroda, C Suman Deshpande Children’s Literature Award, Children’s Novel Award, and the Akhil Bharatiya Natya Parishad Mumbai’s Ekankinka Writing Award. The Maharashtra Government awarded her Utkrushta Vangmay Puraskar for her on Saransh Katha Sangrah. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep shock over the demise of Bhadbhade. While offering condolences on X, he said “Shubhangitai Bhadbhade, was the author, veteran novelist, and a dedicated literary figure who provided a platform for budding writers through the Padmagandha Pratishthan. She contributed a lot to the field of literature. She authored biographies on eminent personalities such as Swatantryaveer Savarkar, the first Sarsanghachalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Dr Hedgewarji, Golwalkar Guruji, and Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. With her demise, we have lost a talented literary mind.”

 

“When she wrote ‘Mrityunjayacha Mahayagnya,’ on Swatantryaveer Savarkar, I had requested her to convert it into an audio book, and the work was completed. She had asked me to write introductions for many of her books, which led to our continuous interactions. I offer my heartfelt condolences.” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari too expressed deep shock over the demise of Shubhangi Bhadbhade. He said, with her death, a vacuum has been created which can’t be filled. Her loss is irreparable. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule also offered condolences. He wrote, “I was saddened to hear the news of the passing away of senior writer and Founder-President of Padmagandha Sahitya Pratishthan, Shubhangitai Bhadbhade. In March this year, Bhadbhade presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi a pre-release copy of her novel Rajyogi, written on him, during his visit to Madhav Netralaya.