‘Translating Chitampalli's work will bring wider recognition he deserves'
Nagpur: Padma Shri Maruti Chitampalli, fondly known as Aranya Rishi, and revered for bringing Maharashtra's forests alive through his words, was paid heartfelt tributes in Nagpur on Friday.
The condolence meeting organised by Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh (VSS) at Ameya Hall turned into an emotional homage, with speakers unanimously describing Chitampalli as a literary figure of global calibre whose legacy deserves to transcend linguistic boundaries.
VSS president Pradeep Date presided over the meeting. On stage were prominent editors and personalities, including Shrimant Mane (editor, Lokmat), Shailesh Pande (editor, Tarun Bharat), Shripad Aparajit (editor, Maharashtra Times), Pramod Kalbande (editor, Sakal), ornithologist Dr Anil Pimpalapure, retired forest officer Kishor Mishrikotkar, and former information officer Anil Gadekar.
Speakers drew comparisons between Chitampalli's writing and world-renowned nature writers like American naturalist Henry David Thoreau and English author Ruskin Bond. Yet, as many pointed out, while Chitampalli's works are of international standard, they have remained 'local' purely because they are available only in Marathi. "Translating at least ten of his select works into other languages would be the truest tribute we can pay him," several speakers suggested.
Dr Anil Pimpalapure described Chitampalli as a writer with extraordinary observational skills and gentle, nuanced prose. "He worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between environmental science and society," he said. He proposed naming the Ambazari Biodiversity Park in Nagpur after Chitampalli as a fitting tribute.
Retired forest officer Kishor Mishrikotkar reflected on Chitampalli's unique ability to teach people how to 'walk through and read the forest'.
"If you want to understand the jungle, you must walk through it on foot. He taught us how to write in a simple, scientific, and evidence-based manner," Mishrikotkar said. He proposed naming the Navegaon Tiger Project after Chitampalli, instituting an award in his name, and establishing a memorial at Navegaon, his karmabhoomi.
Shripad Aparajit called Chitampalli a true 'Vansakha' — a friend of the forest — and emphasised that compiling a comprehensive collection of his writings would be the ideal homage.
Shrimant Mane highlighted Chitampalli's pioneering concepts like jungle reading and forest reading and credited him for bringing medicinal uses of trees to public awareness. Pramod Kalbande said Chitampalli's work helped people understand forests, birds, animals, and ecological intricacies, calling for more scientific study of his writings.
Shailesh Pande observed that Chitampalli lived as an integral part of the forest ecosystem.
In his presidential remarks, Pradeep Date said Chitampalli carved a 'green path' in Marathi literature through his intimate connection with nature. In his introductory address, Anil Gadekar traced Chitampalli's remarkable journey, recalling how Vidarbha embraced his literature and how VSS once honoured him by naming him the president of its literary convention.
The condolence meet saw participation from various literary and environmental personalities, including Vilas Manekar, Dr Pinak Dande, Ashutosh Shewalkar, Prakash Edlabadkar, and Teerthraj Kapgate.
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