Marathi scholar Ra Chi Dhere dies at 86

Pune: Noted Marathi writer R C aka Ra Chi Dhere died on Friday morning following a prolonged illness. He was 86.
He was known for his exhaustive research in folk literature and the bhakti tradition of Maharashtra. Dhere is survived by his wife, two daughters one of whom is writer Aruna Dhere and a son.
Dhere received the Sahitya Akademi award in 1987 for his book 'Shri Vitthal Ek Mahasamanvayak (Lord Vitthal A great coordinator)'.
He carved a niche for himself by tracing the roots of Maharashtra's folk traditions and literature with extensive research that highlighted the influence of saints on Maharashtrian ethos. A total of 105 of his books have been published till now.
Since 1955, Dhere has been writing on various subjects saint literature, folk deities and gods, Bhakti cult, holy places, and also folk literature, culture and art.
Some of his famous works include 'Nath Sampradayacha Itihass (History of Nath cult)', 'Dutta Sampradayacha Itihaas (History of Dutta Cult),' 'Chakrapani', 'Lajjagauri', 'Khandoba', 'Bharatiya Rangbhoomichya Shodhat (In Search Of Indian Theater)'.
Besides the Akademi award, he has also been honoured with the state government's 'Maharashtra Gaurav' award, Lifetime Achievement Award by Maharashtra Foundation, various awards instituted by Pune and Mumbai universities, Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad and a few from the Maharashtra government.
Dhere's collection of books would be made accessible to people through a trust. These books would be especially useful to young researchers studying Marathi culture.
Dhere's vision on important resources and minor resources is remarkable. Many experts said that it is closer to a sociological approach rather than just a historical approach. He proved the importance of minor resources in research and their capability to unravel complicated cultural occurrences through their applications. He never denied the importance of any element of culture. His basic theorem was that the study of any deity is always related to its devotees.
Condoling Dhere's death, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state has lost an exhaustive and dedicated researcher in the field of folk literature.
State cultural affairs minister Vinod Tawde described Dhere as a worshipper of folk literature and said that the young generation keen on researching in the fields of Marathi culture will find Dhere's study compilations very useful.