Dhondo Keshav Karve (DK Karvae)

Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve was an Indian social reformer and educator born on April 18, 1858, in Dapoli, Bombay Presidency, British India. He was a professor, writer, and social worker who worked towards the welfare of women in India. He was a pioneer in promoting widows' education and advocated widow remarriage. Karve founded the first women's university in India - SNDT Women's University, and also started an orphanage for girls. Karve was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India, in 1958, and Padma Vibhushan in 1955 by the Government of India for his contributions towards social reforms and women's education. He passed away on November 9, 1962, in Pune, Maharashtra, India, at the age of 104.

Background

Dhondo Keshav Karve, also known as Maharshi Karve, was a prominent social reformer in India who dedicated his life to improving the status of women in society. Born on 18th April 1858, he was a strong advocate for widow remarriage and played a vital role in promoting women's education in India.

Karve believed that women should have the right to education and worked tirelessly to establish institutions that provided education to girls and women. In 1916, he founded the first women's university in India, the SNDT Women's University, which was a significant step towards women's empowerment in the country.

Apart from promoting education, Karve also worked to eliminate harmful social practices like the devdasi system and advocated for the welfare of orphans and widows. He founded the Anath Balikashram, an orphanage for girls, and played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the rights of widows and the need for their remarriage.

Karve's contributions to the betterment of society did not go unnoticed. In 1958, the Government of India awarded him the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, in recognition of his exceptional work in the field of social reform.

Karve's legacy continues to inspire people across India, and his efforts towards women's empowerment and social justice serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

Early life

Dhondo Keshav Karve was born on 18 April 1858 in Sheravali, a small village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. He was born into a lower middle-class family and was the son of Keshav Bapunna Karve.

Growing up, Karve received his early education in Marathi and Sanskrit, and later went on to study English at the Wilson High School in Mumbai. He then pursued his further education at the Deccan College in Pune, where he obtained a degree in Mathematics in 1884.

Karve's passion for education and social reform can be traced back to his childhood, where he witnessed the harsh realities of poverty, illiteracy, and social inequality. These experiences inspired him to work towards uplifting the marginalized sections of society and improving their lives through education and social reform.

Career as a college professor

After completing his education, Dhondo Keshav Karve began his career as a college professor. From 1891 to 1914, he taught mathematics at Fergusson College in Pune, Maharashtra.

Karve's tenure at Fergusson College was marked by his passion for teaching and his commitment to promoting education. He was known for his innovative teaching methods and his ability to connect with his students. Karve also used his position as a professor to advocate for social reform and women's education.

During his time at Fergusson College, Karve started working towards promoting the education of girls and women. He began by opening a small school for girls in his own house in 1896, which later became the Hingne Stree Shikshan Samstha, an institution that provided education to girls and women.

Karve's dedication to women's education and social reform continued throughout his life, and he went on to found the SNDT Women's University and the Anath Balikashram, among other institutions. His contribution to the field of education and social reform in India continues to be celebrated and revered to this day.

Autobiographical works

Dhondo Keshav Karve wrote two autobiographical works, one in Marathi and the other in English.

The Marathi autobiography, titled "Ātmawrutta," was published in 1928. It chronicled Karve's life and his journey as a social reformer and educationist. The book was well-received by Marathi readers and is considered an important work in Marathi literature.

Karve also wrote an autobiography in English, titled "Looking Back." The book was published in 1936 and provided a glimpse into Karve's life and his efforts towards social reform and women's education. The book was aimed at an English-speaking audience and was an attempt to share his experiences with a wider audience.

Both of Karve's autobiographical works provide valuable insights into his life, his struggles, and his accomplishments. They offer a unique perspective on the social, cultural, and political context of India during his time and continue to be celebrated as important works of literature.

Depictions in popular culture

Dhondo Keshav Karve has been depicted in popular culture through various works, including a Marathi play, a documentary film, and a feature film.

The Marathi play "Himalayachi Saavli" by Vasant Kanetkar, which was published in 1972, is loosely based on the life of Karve. The play depicts the tension between Karve's public life as a social reformer and his family life due to the social backlash and economic hardships his children and wife had to endure.

The documentary film "The Story of Dr. Karve," directed by Neil Gokhale and Ram Gabale, was produced by the Government of India's Films Division in 1958. The film provides an overview of Karve's life and his contributions to social reform and women's education in India.

The feature film "Dhyaas Parva" by Amol Palekar, which was released in 2001, is based on the life of Karve's son Raghunath but also depicts the Karve family and their social reformation projects.

In 2017, Taluka Dapoli, a research-based initiative, made a documentary on the life of Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve.

Awards and honours

Dhondo Keshav Karve received several awards and honours throughout his life in recognition of his contributions to social reform and women's education in India. Here are some of the major ones:

• In 1942, he was awarded the Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree by Banaras Hindu University.
• In 1951, he was awarded D.Litt. by Pune University.
• In 1954, he was awarded D.Litt. by S.N.D.T. University.
• In 1955, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of India, by the Government of India.
• In 1957, he was awarded LL.D. by the University of Mumbai.
• In 1958, he was awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India, by the Government of India.

In addition to these awards, Karve has several institutions and roads named after him. Karvenagar, a suburb in Pune, was named after him. Queen's Road in Mumbai was also renamed to Maharshi Karve Road.

Karve's legacy continues to inspire social reform and education in India. The Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, founded by him, continues to promote women's education and empowerment in Maharashtra. His works and ideas continue to influence scholars and activists in India and beyond.

FAQ

Why did Dhondo Keshav Karve got Bharat Ratna?

Dhondo Keshav Karve, also known as Maharshi Karve, was a renowned Indian social reformer and educator who dedicated his life to the advancement of women's rights and education. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of women's education in India.

Karve was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1958 in recognition of his lifelong work in the field of women's education and social reform. Throughout his career, Karve worked tirelessly to promote women's education and empowerment, founding several schools and colleges for women and advocating for women's rights in all areas of Indian society.

Karve's contributions to Indian society were widely recognized during his lifetime, and he was honored with numerous awards and accolades for his work. The Bharat Ratna was just one of many honors he received in recognition of his lifelong commitment to social justice and education.

Who was Shri Dhondo Keshav Karve?

Dhondo Keshav Karve, also known as Maharshi Karve, was a prominent Indian social reformer and educator who dedicated his life to the advancement of women's rights and education. He was born on April 18, 1858, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and passed away on November 9, 1962, in Pune, Maharashtra, at the age of 104.

Karve was a pioneering figure in the women's education movement in India, and he played a key role in establishing several schools and colleges for women in the early 20th century. He was also a vocal advocate for women's rights in all areas of Indian society, and he worked tirelessly to promote gender equality and social justice throughout his life.

In recognition of his contributions to Indian society, Karve was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1958. He was also the recipient of numerous other awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan, two of India's highest civilian honors.

Karve's legacy as a social reformer and educator continues to inspire generations of Indians, particularly in the fields of women's education and empowerment. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of women's education in India, and his work has had a lasting impact on Indian society and culture.

When did Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve founded widow marriage promotion church?

Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve did not found a "widow marriage promotion church." However, he did establish the "Hingne Stree Shikshan Samstha" (Hingne Women's Education Society) in Pune, Maharashtra, in 1896, which was focused on promoting education and social reform for women, including widows.

Karve was a strong advocate for the rights of widows, who were often stigmatized and marginalized in Indian society at the time. He believed that educating and empowering widows was essential for promoting gender equality and social justice in India.

Through the Hingne Women's Education Society, Karve established several schools and colleges for women, including the first women's university in India, the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University, which was founded in 1916.

While the Hingne Women's Education Society did not promote widow marriage specifically, it played a key role in advancing women's rights and education in India, including for widows.

Who is Karve Nagar named after?

Karve Nagar is a locality in Pune, Maharashtra, India, that is named after Dhondo Keshav Karve, also known as Maharshi Karve. Karve Nagar was established in the 1960s as a residential area for families and students associated with the various educational institutions founded by Karve, including the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University and the Hingne Women's Education Society. Today, Karve Nagar is a thriving community that is home to a diverse population of students, professionals, and families.