Shivaji Sawant

Shivaji Sawant (Marathi: शिवाजी सावंत; 31 August 1940 – 18 September 2002) was a renowned novelist in Marathi. He is known as Mrityunjaykar (meaning Maker of Mrityunjay) for writing the famous Marathi novel Mrityunjay. He was the first marathi writer to be awarded with prestigious Moortidevi Award in 1994.

He wrote a book Mrityunjay (English: Triumph Over Death) based on Karna, one of the leading characters of the epic Mahabharat. This book was translated in Hindi (1974), English (1989), Kannada (1990), Gujarati (1991), Malayalam (1995) and received numerous awards and accolades. In 1980 he wrote a book Chhava based on Sambhaji Maharaj's life.

He held the post of the vice-president of Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad since 1995. He was president of Baroda Sahitya Sammelan in 1983.

He was born in a small farmer family of Aajra village in Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. He finished his school education in Vyankatrao High School Ajara. He worked with Rajaram Prashala, Kolhapur as a teacher for 20 years and afterwords as editor with Maharashtra education department's monthly magazine Lokshikshan for six years in Pune (1974–1980).

Books

• Mrityunjay (Mythological Novel)
• Chhava (Novel)
• Yugandhar (Novel)
• Kavadase
• Kanchan Kan
• Ladhat
• Ashi Mane Ase NamuneKan
• Krantisihachi Gavran Boli (compilation)
• Purushottamnama

Dramas

• Mrityunjay
• Chhava

He was not only a historical writer but also a political writer

Mrityunjay

Mrityunjay is a fictional novel very famous in the marathi compositions . It is based on Karna, a great warrior in the epic of Mahabharata. The novel comprises auspicious Marathi writing skills as well as the figures of speech used in the writing is much interesting and hence this novel has got fame in the minds of people. The artistic language is very simple and dealing with the beauties of nature.This novel proves a milestone in the history of Marathi novels yet standing still in this century and it is awarded with many of the prizes and awards given by the Jnanpith (Murti Devi Award)..

Yugandhar

Yugandhar is another Novel of Shivaji Sawant based on the life of Krishna, a great character in Mahabharata and other narrative epics as well as the God of the Hindus.Yugandhar is one of the best and most famous Novel of Marathi language and it is awarded with many of the prizes and awards given by the Sahitya Academy.

Sawant was married to Mrinalini. He has a son Amitabh and daughter Kadambini.

On 18 September 2002, Sawant died at the age of 62 of cardiac arrest in Goa. He was campaigning for the post of President of 76th All India Marathi Literary Conference.