Annabhau Sathe Study Centre (1)

Introduction:

Anna Bhau Sathe, despite lacking formal schooling, became a prolific Marathi writer, penning 35 novels, with "Fakira" (1959) considered his masterpiece. Beyond novels, his literary contributions include short stories, a play, a travelogue on Russia, twelve screenplays, and ballads. His writing, deeply rooted in his life experiences, celebrates the resilience and fighting spirit of characters overcoming adversity.

Anna Bhau Sathe played a crucial role in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, effectively utilizing the Powada form to mobilize support.

Driven by a desire to raise mass awareness against Brahmanism's untouchability practices, which historically pushed marginalized communities towards criminal and military occupations under British rule (Criminal Tribes Act), and against the exploitation of feudalism and capitalism, Anna Bhau Sathe used his artistic and poetic talents to educate the masses.

The Anna Bhau Sathe Study Center was established in 2008 at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad.

Vision:

To empower deprived and unsecured people with the vision of Anna Bhau Sathe, with the center playing a major role with the university's support. The main visions as the director of this center are:

• Implementations of various programmes to provide the vision of Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe at national and international levels.
• To publish the literature of Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe at National and international levels in various languages.
• To publish the unpublished literature of Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe.
• To implement various programmes to provide the vision of Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe to common people.
• To provide action programmes for deprived people through the university study center.
• To arrange essay writing competitions at university and high school levels to disseminate the views and literature of Anna Bhau Sathe to society.
• To organize Youth Leadership and national programmes for students through the Adhyasan Kendra.
• To organize Refresher and orientation programmes through the study center.

Eminent Scholars who worked as Director of this center:

Sr.No.	Name of Director	Duration
1.	Dr. Dilip Sopan Arjune	2008-2012
2.	Professor B.S. Waghmare	2012-2017
3.	Dr. Sanjay M. Sambhalkar	Nov 2017 to Sep 2019
4.	Dr. Digambar M. Netke	Sep 2019 to June 2022
5.	Dr. Sanjay M. Sambhalkar	June 2022 to 30 March 2023
6.	Dr.(Ms.) Vaishali K. Bodele	April 2023 to 2025
7.	Dr. Madanlal Suryawanshi	Sept 2025 to till date

Events Organised:

• ‘Globalization and social justice question’ National debate organized in 2013, with speeches by Dr. Bharat Patankar (Social Activist) and Dr. Krushna Bhoge (former Divisional Commissioner, Aurangabad).
• ‘A role of Anna Bhau Sathe literature’ special speech organized in August 2014, delivered by Prof. Sushma Andhare (Social Worker) with Dr. Vijay Pandharipande, Vice-Chancellor as the chairperson.
• On the occasion of Anna Bhau Sathe birth anniversary, 2016, special speeches were delivered by Dr. Pralhad Lulekar, Dr. Rushikesh Kamble, and Dr. Avhad.
• On the occasion of Anna Bhau Sathe birth anniversary 2017, special speeches were delivered by Sau. Dhamma Sangini and Principal Kamlakar Kamble.
• On the occasion of Anna Bhau Sathe death anniversary July 2018, a special speech was organized on "Sociality of Anna Bhau Sathe's Literature" by Dr. Ravindra Gole (editor of news paper, Mumbai).
• “Views of Anna Bhau Sathe and present situation” special speech delivered by famous speaker Pradip Solunke (Aurangabad).

Plan of Activities:

• Anna Bhau Sathe study center will conduct conferences, seminars & symposia annually on various social issues.
• Anna Bhau Sathe study center will conduct lecture series on social issues.
• Field work and action programmes will be conducted on some identified themes.
• Anna Bhau Sathe Study Center will develop linkages between grassroots level workers & national level scholars.
• Anna Bhau Sathe Study Center will provide Anna Bhau Sathe Research fellowships.

Annabhau Sathe Fellowship to Research Students:

Sr. No	Research Students	Category	Class	Duration	Year
1	Minakshi Punamchand Kuril	SC	M. Phil (History)	1 Year	2018-19
2	Madhav Chandu Waghmare	SC	M. Phil (Political Sci.)	1 Year	2018-19

Director:

Dr. Madanlal Suryawanshi
Director, Anna Bhau Sathe Study Center
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad.