Age, Biography and Wiki

Kusumagraj was born on 27 February, 1912 in Pune, is an Indian writer and poet (1912–1999). Discover Kusumagraj's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 87 years old?

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Occupation Poet, playwright, novelist, short story writer, humanist
Age 87 years old
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Born 27 February, 1912
Birthday 27 February
Birthplace Pune
Date of death 1999
Died Place Nashik
Nationality India

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 27 February. He is a member of famous writer with the age 87 years old group.

Kusumagraj Height, Weight & Measurements

At 87 years old, Kusumagraj height not available right now. We will update Kusumagraj's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Kusumagraj Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Kusumagraj worth at the age of 87 years old? Kusumagraj’s income source is mostly from being a successful writer. He is from India. We have estimated Kusumagraj's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income writer

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Timeline

1912

Vishnū Vāman Shirwādkar (27 February 1912 – 10 March 1999), popularly known by his pen name, Kusumāgraj, was a Marathi poet, playwright, novelist and short story writer, who wrote of freedom, justice and emancipation of the deprived.

In a career spanning five decades starting in India's pre-independence era, he wrote 16 volumes of poems, three novels, eight volumes of short stories, seven volumes of essays, 18 plays and six one-act plays.

Kusumagraj was born into a Deshastha Brahmin family on 27 February 1912 in Pune as Gajanan Ranganath Shirwadkar.

1930

He even published some of his poetry under this name in 1930s.

Upon being adopted somewhat late in life in 1930s, his name was changed to Vishnu Waman Shirwadkar.

He later adopted the sobriquet 'Kusumagraj'.

He pursued his primary education in Pimpalgaon and high school education in the New English School of Nashik, which is now called J.S. Rungtha High School of Nashik.

He passed matriculation from Mumbai University.

1932

In 1932, at the age of 20, Shirwadkar participated in a satyagraha to support the demand for allowing the entry of the untouchables in the Kalaram Temple at Nashik.

1933

In 1933, Shirwadkar established the Dhruv Mandal (ध्रुव मंडळ ) and started writing in a newspaper called Nava Manu (नवा मनू).

In the same year, his first collection of poems, Jeevanlahari (जीवन लहरी), was published.

1934

In 1934, Shirwadkar obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marathi and English languages, from the H. P. T. College in Nashik.

1936

Shirwadkar joined Godavari Cinetone Ltd. in 1936 and wrote the screenplay for the movie Sati Sulochana (सती सुलोचना).

He also acted in the movie as Lord Lakshmana.

However, the film failed to be a success.

He later worked as a journalist.

He wrote in periodicals such as Saptahik Prabha (साप्ताहिक प्रभा), Dainik Prabhat (दैनिक प्रभात), Saarathi (सारथी), Dhanurdari (धनुर्धारी), and Navayug (नवयुग).

1942

His works like the Vishakha (1942), a collection of lyrics, inspired a generation into the Indian freedom movement, and is today considered one of the masterpieces of Indian literature.

1942 was a turning point in the career of Kusumagraj, as the father-figure of Marathi literature, Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar, published Kusumgraj's compilation of poetry, Vishakha (विशाखा) at his own expense, and in his preface describing Kusumagraj as a poet of humanity, wrote, "His words manifest the social discontent but retain the optimistic conviction that the old world was giving way to a new one."

Its publication coincided with the Quit India Movement, and carried the message of freedom and stood against slavery, and soon its words became popular with young men and women; in time it was to become his lasting legacy to Indian literature.

1943

After 1943, he started adapting the plays by literary giants like Oscar Wilde, Moliere, Maurice Maeterlinck and Shakespeare, especially his tragedies, and which played an important role in boosting Marathi theatre of the period.

1944

In 1944, he married Manorama (née : Gangubai Sonawani) ; she died in 1972). He was associated with Rajaram College, Kolhapur. Noted critic Keshav Rangnath Shirwadkar (1926-2018) was his younger brother.

While Shirwadkar was at the H. P. T. Arts College in Nashik, his poems were published in the Ratnakar (रत्नाकर) magazine.

1946

In 1946, he wrote his first novel Vaishnav (वैष्णव) and his first play Doorche Dive (दूरचे दिवे).

From 1946 to 1948, he also edited a weekly called Swadesh (स्वदेश).

While temperamentally he ranged from reclusive to exclusive, he had a keen social sense and championed the cause of the downtrodden without involving himself in ground level activities.

1950

In 1950, he founded the Lokahitawādi Mandal (लोकहितवादी; organisation for social good) in Nashik which is still in existence.

He also edited certain academic textbooks for school students.

However, Kusumagraj's main claim to fame was as a poet and writer.

1954

In 1954, he adapted Shakespeare's Macbeth as Rajmukut (राजमुकुट), 'The Royal Crown' to Marathi.

It starred Nanasaheb Phatak and Durga Khote (Lady Macbeth).

1960

He also adapted Othello in 1960.

He also worked as a lyricist in Marathi cinema.

His work reflected the changing social milieu, from being the reflection of national uprising during Indian freedom struggle and in the post-independence era it got steeped into rising social-consciousness amongst Marathi writers, which marked the advent of modern Dalit literature.

Shirwadkar was also an active participant in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.

To honour his work in Marathi Literature, every year the birthday of Kusumagraj, 27 February, is celebrated as "Marathi Bhasha Din" (मराठी भाषा दिन) (transl. Marathi Language Day).

1964

He also served as the President of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held at Margao in 1964.

1970

This continued into the 1970s when his masterpiece Natsamrat, styled after Shakespeare's play King Lear , was first staged in 1970, with Sriram Lagoo as the lead.

1974

He was the recipient of the 1974 Sahitya Akademi Award in Marathi for Natsamrat, Padma Bhushan (1991) and the Jnanapith Award in 1987.

1999

He died on 10 March 1999 in Nashik, where his home also served as the office of the Kusumāgraj Pratishthān.