Marathi Department – Heritage of Learning and Cultural Enrichment

Yeshwant Mahavidyalaya was established in 1963 with the noble vision of realizing the prayer of Saint Dnyaneshwar — “May the darkness of suffering disappear through education.” Since the inception of the college, the Marathi Department has remained committed to preserving linguistic, cultural, and literary values through quality education and student-centred activities. Rooted in the ideals of Saint Dnyaneshwar, the department has consistently promoted linguistic self-awareness along with universal human values. Reflecting this spirit, he proudly declared:'माझा मराठाचि बोलू कवतिके, परि अमृतातेही पैजा जिंके'  (“I shall speak in Marathi with such excellence that it shall surpass even nectar in sweetness.”) ('I will speak Marathi in my own language, so that even the nectar of death will win the prize'.) 

With the belief that 'When language dies, the country also dies, and the light of culture also shines', the Marathi Department continuously worked to strengthen students’ command over their mother tongue and develop flawless expression, believing that language is central to the all-round development of an individual and society. The department’s journey reflects a harmonious blend of cultural research, innovative teaching, and student-cantered initiatives till date. Over the decades, the department has emerged as a vibrant centre of cultural research, innovative teaching, and student-oriented initiatives.

The department’s strong academic foundation was laid by its first Head, Prof. B. D. Wadikar, who shared a close intellectual association with renowned thinker Narhar Kurundkar. He played a key role in developing student-cantered publications such as Yashogandh and Yashodeep A distinguished critic and writer, he authored notable works including Sahitya Vichar, Gajar, and Lobhas, and earned recognition the department through scholarly lectures delivered across Maharashtra. His legacy was further enriched by Prof. Suryawanshi and Prof. Shinde, who continued the department’s academic tradition with dedication. Later, eminent rural writer Dr. Jagadish Kadam strengthened the department’s literary reputation during his tenure as Head. Dr. Sangeeta Ghuge and rural storyteller Dr. Shankar Vibhute also made valuable contributions to the department’s academic and cultural growth.

The department entered a new era of academic innovation and creative transformation in 2019 with the intra-institutional transfer of Dr. Vishwadhar Deshmukh. Blending technology with literary tradition, he introduced dynamic, student-centric academic practices through digital platforms alongside activities such as posters, lectures, discussions, and annual publications. He initiated the Shraddheya Dr. Shankarraoji Chavan Reading Katta, creating a dynamic literary culture among students. Under his guidance, several innovative student forums were established, including Reading Katta, My Marathi Mandal, Kavi Katta, Kartavya Katta, Kala Katta, Abhiruchi Film Club, Newspaper Readers Club, and Yashwant Bibliophiles. Through these platforms, students actively participate in literary recitations, multilingual poetry gatherings, film screenings and discussions, art festivals, public speaking activities, debates, and collective reading of books on holidays. Along with this, he has organized about 750 programs through YouTube and Instagram channels like Yuva Manvantar, Vicharshalaka, Abhiruchi, Vachan Katta, Yeshwant Bibliophiles till date.

The department has been enriched by the valuable contributions of eminent journalists such as Rajiv Khandekar, Nishikant Bhalerao, Gyanada Kadam, Praveen Bardapurkar, and Vinod Shirsath; distinguished personalities from the film industry including Arvind Jagtap, Sandeep Pathak, Kashmira Kulkarni, Anita Date, and Prasad Namjoshi; renowned literary figures such as Anuradha Patil, Dasu Vaidya, Shrikant Deshmukh, Manoj Borgaonkar, and Indrajit Bhalerao; as well as industrial experts including Mandar Bharde, Prafulla Taware, and Vinayak Pachlag. Through their active participation, guidance, and interaction with students, they have infused the department with intellectual vibrancy and creative inspiration. These innovative initiatives have received appreciation and recognition from leading media organizations such as Lokmat, Sakal, Loksatta and ABP Majha.

Through the initiative Yeshwant Bibliophiles, the department has been actively promoting reading culture in Nanded city. This initiative has been specially appreciated by the District Collector and other administrative authorities.

Along with introducing technology-friendly and student-centred initiatives in the department, Dr. Vishwadhar Deshmukh has made significant contributions as a researcher in the fields of Comparative Literature, Translation Studies, and Media Studies. He received a prestigious research fellowship from the Indian Institute of Advanced Study for his research on the concept of “Indianness.” An accomplished speaker proficient in Marathi, Hindi, and English, he has delivered lectures on various academic and literary subjects across India. He has also written regular columns for reputed publications such as Lokprabha and Punyanagari and has authored 07 books.

Dr. Deshmukh serves as the Vice-Chancellor nominated member of the Board of Studies in Marathi at Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University and has played an important role in designing the updated curriculum under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Through his contributions to research, innovative teaching, public speaking, and interdisciplinary writing, he has brought distinct recognition to the department.

On 25 July 2022, Dr. Sanjay Jagtap assumed charge as Head of the Marathi Department. Under his leadership, the department successfully organized several major academic events. An International Conference on Human Values and Marathi Literature was organized on 16–17 December 2022 with participation from 161 delegates. A National Seminar on Jijyasu Mahadaisa was conducted on 25 December 2022 with 61 participants. Further, on 20 July 2025, the department organized a workshop on the revised B.A. First-Year Marathi curriculum under NEP 2020, attended by 91 university representatives.

Dr. Sanjay Jagtap has made notable contributions to research in Mahanubhav literature. He has published 51 research papers in national and international journals and authored 10 books. He honoured with 04 awards. He is widely respected across India as a distinguished scholar and accomplished speaker.

Bibliography -

1) Images of women in Mahanubhav Literature

2) Mahanubhav's Folklore

3) Mahanubhav sahiyache Samajik Drustine Aakalan

4) Bodh- Prabodh (Swami Ramanand Tirth Marathwada University Nanded B.A. Included in the first year Marathi curriculum)

5) Sarvoday Sanchit

6) Human Value and Marathi Literature

7) Folklore World Perspective

8) Dr. Babasaheb Bidkar Literature Review

Apart from academic research, Dr. Jagtap has contributed significantly to creative literature. His story collections Abhalmati and Bardana, based on the lives of farmers, have received appreciation from readers and critics alike. He has participated as a poet in the All India Marathi Literary Conference held in Delhi.

As a distinguished speaker, he has delivered lectures at numerous conferences organized by the Marathwada Sahitya Parishad and served as a keynote speaker at the National Seminar on the Life of Women in the Mahanubhav Sect held at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. So far, he has delivered more than 100 lectures on Mahanubhav literature and philosophy.

He successfully completed a UGC-sponsored minor research project titled" महानुभाव पंथाच्या मौखिक साहित्याचे संकलन: विशेष संदर्भ मराठवाडा (Collection of Oral Literature in the Mahanubhav Sect: Special Reference to Marathwada). He has also contributed as a curriculum writer for Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, and Marathi Language University Riddhapur Amravati. His research primarily focuses on the representation of women in Mahanubhav literature, and he has guided two research students in this field.

Dr. Sanjay Jagtap is actively associated with several literary and academic organizations as:

1.   Executive Member, Marathwada Sahitya Parishad Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar .

2.   Member, Mahanubhav Sahitya Research Board Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

3.   Vice-President Mahadamba Sahitya Sangh.

4.   Vice-President and Member,  Akhil Bharatiya Mahanubhav  Parishad.

He has shown a keen interest in promoting student-centered activities and has also served as the editor of the college annual publication Yashodeep.

The third faculty member of the department, Dr. Shivaji Suryawanshi, joined in 2023. He is a renowned orator, poet, and prolific writer who has authored more than seven books.

He has successfully completed the Faculty Development Programme conducted by the Indian Cancer Society and an Orientation Course under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme. In addition, he completed two Skill Development Programmes organized by Yeshwant Mahavidyalaya, as well as a training programme conducted by the Intellectual Property Office, India.

In the same academic year, four of Dr. Shivaji Suryawanshi’s research papers were published in academic journals, and one chapter was included in a book. He was also honored with seven awards for poetry writing by Majhi Lekhani Sahitya Manch and other social organizations.

Throughout this period, he delivered motivational lectures at Mahatma Phule Naik Nagar, Kilbil Shishu Kendra, Nanded, and St. Peter’s English Medium School. He also participated in poetry recitation at the Sant Namdev Literary Conference.

In the academic year 2024–25, two of his research papers were published in international journals. He also contributed a chapter to the book, “Literature and Human Values”. In the same year, he received the “Kavayitri National Award”  from Shodh Rutu.

During the academic year 2024–25, two of his research papers were published in international journals. He also contributed a chapter to the book Literature and Human Values. In the same year, he received the Kavayitri National Award from Shodh Rutu.

For over six glorious decades, the Marathi Department has been dedicated to enlightening and empowering students through quality teaching, meaningful research, and student-centred activities, steadfastly carrying forward its mission of leading them “from darkness to light.”