Pune: Dr. Sudhir Rasal, a renowned critic in Marathi literature, has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his critical book, Vindache Gadyarup. The Sahitya Akademi announced the award in recognition of his groundbreaking contribution to Marathi literary criticism.

Dr. Rasal’s work is a pioneering effort in exploring the theoretical dimensions of Marathi literature, a field that has seen limited development. Vindache Gadyarup offers an in-depth critique of Vinda Karandikar's poetic theories, emphasizing their significance in understanding the unique aspects of literary art.

Marathi literary criticism has seen only two major theoretical contributions in its 150-year history. Bal Sitaram Mardhekar introduced the "Laya Siddhant" (Theory of Rhythm), which examined the interconnectivity of fine arts, while Govind Vinayak (Vinda) Karandikar developed the "Jeevanvedhi Kala" (Life-Piercing Art) theory, focusing exclusively on the essence of literary art. However, Karandikar’s contributions were largely neglected, unlike Mardhekar’s well-recognized theory.

Dr. Rasal’s book seeks to address this gap by presenting a systematic critique of Karandikar’s poetic framework. The book not only elaborates on the theoretical aspects but also establishes a comprehensive poetic structure centered on Karandikar’s philosophy.

The award acknowledges Dr. Rasal’s dedication to advancing the theoretical understanding of Marathi literature and his efforts to bring Vinda Karandikar’s underappreciated contributions to the forefront.