Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar (8 July 1916 – 1 June 1998) was a Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India.
Dandekar was born in Paratwada in Amravati district.
He grew up in Vidarbha but ran away from his home in Nagpur at age thirteen in response to Mahatma Gandhi's call to young people for joining his movement for India's attainment of freedom from the British Raj. After spending a few years in extreme poverty, he found some stability with a few patrons. Later he joined Rashtriya Svayamsevak Sangh and worked as a volunteer in Gadge Maharaj's social service movement. He traveled extensively.
Awards and honors
In 1976, Dandekar received a Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiographical work Smaran Gatha. He was elected president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held at Akola in 1981. He received an honorary D.Litt degree from Pune University on 30 December 1992.
Dandekar and his wife Neera Dandekar have a daughter, Veena Dev. Veena has two daughters: Marathi actress Mrinal Kulkarni, and Madhura.
Smaran GathaShituPavanakathacha Dhondi (1955)Padaghavli (Novel concerning a Brahmin family in coastal Maharashtra. It describes the lifestyle there in the 18th century.) (1956)Machivarala Budha (1958)Zunjar MachiKuna Ekachi BhramangathaPurnamaychi LekareRanbhuliChhand Maze VegleTambadphutiMrunmayiAamhi Bhagirathache Putra (Novel based on the construction of Bhakra-Nangal dam on river Satlaj)Jait-Re-jait (A film based on this novel was later made by Jabbar Patel.)Baya Dar Ughad (Part 1 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)Har Har Mahaadev (Part 2 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)Daryabhavani (Part 3 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)Zunzarmachi (Part 4 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)He To Shrinchi Ichchha (Part 5 of 5 novels on Raja Shivaji's Maharashtra)Rumaalee RahasyaTya Tithe RukhataliWaagharuKarnaayanShriRamayanTudavalele Gharkul" Bhillaveer Kalinga" a historical story/novel on Tribes of Narmada Banks.maza me
KrishnawedhDurga Bhramangatha (Concerrning wanderings among the hill forts of Maharashtra)Durga Darshan ( Concerrning wanderings among the hill forts of Maharashtra)Kille (Informative book about trekking routes in Sahyadri)Maharashtrachi DharaTirthe (Informative book about forts in Maharashtra)Maharashtra Darshan (Informative book about Maharashtra, especially the rural parts).Narmadechya TataakiDakshin WaaraMogara Phulala (Based on the life and works of Dnyaneshwar)Das Dongari Rahato (Based on the life and works of Ramdas Swami)Anandvan BhuvaniTuka Akaashaaevdhaa (Novel based on the life and works of Tukaram)The Last Kirtan of Gadage BabaWaadalatil Deepstambh (Novel based on story of Keshav Baliram Hedgewar the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh)DevakiNandan Gopaalaa"shree gadge maharaj" (the biography of maharashtras saint -majestic prakashan-pablisher book )Some of his books are available at http://www.sahyadribooks.org/booklistingauthorwise.aspx?auid=5
