Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar, Writer
Writer

Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar

Born 31 January 1898 · Maharashtra — Died 2 September 1976

First Marathi author to win the Jnanpith Award for his novel 'Yayati' in 1974.

Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar was a Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India. He was the first Marathi author to win the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

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A detail that
surprised us

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The hillock where Khandekar wrote many of his works is locally known as "Khandekaranchi Khurchi" (Chair of Khandekar) in Shiroda, Maharashtra.

The Story

1
In 1919, Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar published his first work, Shrimat Kalipuranam, marking the start of a prolific literary career at just 21 years old in Maharashtra.
2
🎭 As a young man in Sangli, Khandekar was drawn to acting and staged multiple school dramas before turning seriously to writing during his college years at Fergusson College, Pune in 1913.
3In 1920, Khandekar began teaching at a school in Shiroda, Konkan, where he balanced his job with writing, producing many works while sitting on a hillock overlooking the sea, now remembered locally as 'Khandekaranchi Khurchi'.
4Over nearly six decades, Khandekar authored sixteen novels, six plays, around 250 short stories, 50 allegorical stories, 100 essays, and over 200 critiques, shaping Marathi literature with rich thematic diversity.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Jnanpith Award

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Khandekar wrote over 250 short stories during his lifetime, an unusually high output given he worked full-time as a school teacher in Shiroda until 1938.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Sangli, Maharashtra
Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar was born in Sangli, where his father worked as a munsif in the princely state administration.
1898
📚
Education
Matriculation and College Admission
After passing his matriculation, Khandekar joined Fergusson College, Pune, beginning his higher education.
1913
📖
Publication
First Published Work
His first literary work, Shrimat Kalipuranam, was published, marking the start of his writing career.
1919
⚡
Career
Teaching in Shiroda
Khandekar began working as a school teacher in Shiroda, where he wrote many works during his spare time.
1920
🏅
Award
President of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan
He was elected president of the annual Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Solapur.
1941
🏅
Award
Yayati Wins Major Awards
His novel Yayati won Maharashtra State Award and Sahitya Akademi Award.
1960
🏅
Award
Receives Padma Bhushan
The Government of India honored Khandekar with the Padma Bhushan for his literary work.
1968
🏅
Award
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship Awarded
Khandekar was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship recognizing his literary contributions.
1970
🏅
Award
Jnanpith Award for Yayati
He received the Jnanpith Award for his novel Yayati, India's highest literary honor.
1974
🕊️
Death
Death in Miraj, Maharashtra
Khandekar passed away in Miraj, concluding a 57-year literary career.
1976
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His iconic novel Yayati won three major awards: Maharashtra State Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, and the Jnanpith Award, spanning from 1960 to 1974.

02 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite his literary success, Khandekar continued teaching in a small town school in Shiroda for 18 years, writing most of his works during spare time on a hillock overlooking the sea.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1998, the Indian government honored Khandekar’s legacy by issuing a commemorative postage stamp, over two decades after his death.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Khandekar's reinterpretation of mythological themes in his novel Yayati influenced modern Marathi fiction to blend traditional narratives with contemporary issues. His founding of the Khandekari alankar enriched Marathi grammar studies, and his presidency at the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan encouraged literary discourse in Maharashtra. The issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in 1998 by the Government of India cemented his cultural legacy.

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