Bal Thackeray & The Rise of The Shiv Sena

by Vaibhav Purandare

How did a quiet, unassuming cartoonist at one of India’s leading newspapers transform into the fire-breathing chief of a militant political outfit? How did his essentially sons-of-the-soil movement take Mumbai by storm in the 1960s with its demands for the Marathi people’s employment rights and attacks on South Indians and the Communists? How did he make the shift from an aggressive Maharashtrianism to strident Hindutva to become one of the major players in Indian politics? What explains his control over India’s financial capital, his capture of power in India’s industrial powerhouse, Maharashtra, and his ability to win over the minds of millions and to strike fear in so many hearts? How did he and his Shiv Sena establish sway over the multi-crore film industry and, with its longstanding alliance with the BJP, become a subject of intense curiosity all over India and even in Pakistan?

This book tells the complete story of Bal Thackeray and the rise, fall and split of the Shiv Sena. It examines Thackeray the person and his intriguing political personality, his party’s militaristic methods of operation, its controversial role at major junctures, the fight between Thackeray’s nephew Raj and son Uddhav, the end of an era in Maharashtra politics after his death in November 2012 and the future of the Shiv Sena without his imposing presence. A must-read for an understanding of contemporary Indian politics and the rise of the Hindu nationalist phenomenon.

Genres: Politics, Biography, History, India, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sandykundra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst sort of biography. It pretends to be well-analysed and researched, but ten pages in, and you become aware of the dark undercurrent of 'propoganda' under the guise of what should be an unbiased biography. The writer, either blinded by his devotion or too lily-livered to be honest, presents a biased, hagiographic view of the man, who, in my opinion and in the opinion of the majority of level-headed Indians, single-handedly destroyed the secular character of the city I loved and the country I admired.
The fact that Sena workers attacked Udipi retaurants and peleted stones at innocent south indians is glossed over by Mr Vaibhav Purandare, by saying that 'Thackeray made no bones about the fact that he suported violence.' The violent chauvinism is justified by pointing out that it was 'no more chauvinistic than Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil or Telegu chauvinism.' The threatening Shiv Sena principles which include rules such as 'Maharashtrians shouldnt sell properties to outsiders and if any one is found doing so, the local shakha must be informed', are ignored, as is the fact that great Sadanand, who had come to Thackeray's houseto bring him back to the Free Press Journal was in fact Swaminathan Sadanand, a south Indian, a man that the Marathi manoos was supposed to abhor. As is the fact that Bombay Presidency was a seperate entitity, which always had a cosmopoitan character, settled by early Eurpoean and Indian traders. It was later cliamed by both Gujarat and Maharashtra as both had a defendable right to it. Consequently, it is disputable as to who is exactly is an 'outsider' here.
Dear Mr Vaibhav Purandhare, you and your ilk are responsible for the poison that spread in the city and is now spreading to the country. If you do not have the courage or the intelligence to be honest, kindly refrain from writing such erroneous accounts and misleading those who mistake the printed word for the truth. And Roli books, you as a publisher, should be ashamed of misrepresenting facts that every child of Mumbai knows to be true.
All I can say is that Thackeray had a sad end, with one son's early death, the other estrangled and the third in a bitter battle with his cousin. That, if anything else, is a true measure of how divisive and destructive the man was in his lifetime.
And oh, yes--I want my money back.

[Ranjeet Bhosale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensational book by vaibhav purandare. It puts in front of us all the facts emcompassing the good and bad points of shiv sena supremo bal thackrey. The unassuming king of all marathi hearts, who put befote us articulate description of the idea of a being a hindu. A politician who really concieved the kingdom of chatrapati shivaji maharaj in its authentic sense and a case in point example of a ideal politician. My urge to all those who really want to know how a politician should be. Read the book.
Ps- The ways he used to get what is the peoples right are quite outlandish in a sense but nontheless necessary at that specific scenario.

[Anuj Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings about interesting side of Senapati ... aka Bal Thackeray ...
I'm happy this book portrays not only good but also some controversial side of him.
He had been the consistent torch bearer of Hindutva, calling it a militant or non-militant form of it, is up to reader's discretion.

But he always stood for what was right and that is the main virtue of his personality.
Even though I'm a north Indian, I still and will be admiring Bala Sahab, a true Senapati for Hindutva cause.

[Ali Bhatti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be really insightful; being a Pakistani it does provide a concise look on the neighbouring country's political infrastructure and of course on the most dominant and well kmown force in the indian political scene.

[Nikhil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chronicle of Shiv Sena and Bal Thackery, completed and published at the time of Thackeray's death in November 2012. Vaibhav Purandare tries to make the book as balanced as he possibly could, but it gets too biased at times and covertly justifies some of the heinous crimes committed by the saffron outfit. It does get back at the Sena for brief moments and criticizes it objectively, especially the sole period when the Sena was in power in Maharahstra from 1995 - 1999. The book is a good starting point to understand the powerhouse that was Shiv Sena, and how deftly Bal Thackeray played his cards to garner mass support. Also a good way to gain insight into the evolution of Maharashtra politics and the death of communism in Maharashtra. Read it and you may finally get your answers to why 15 lakh people attended the funeral of Bal Thackeray or in other words how easy it is to manipulate people in this country by prodding at their insecurities.

[Vaibhav]

Its a good take on Maratha Politics. The prodigal Thakery is no less of a Godfather when Maharashtra is concerned. A common man who rose from nowhere to become everything. To call him a politican or even Political Cartoonist would be an understatement. He is an IDEA. A very good take on this Phenomenon. Hats off Vaibhav Purandare.

[Shrutam Desai · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's an okey read. i thought, the book will be able to provide some more insight about this leader but disappointed. however, overall content is good enough to anyone who is not marathi manus to understand this gentleman

[Baidhurya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more a collection of events related to Balasaheb Thackeray and Shiv Sena as they happened. It has a lot of useful information about the man. You will be disappointed if you are looking for an in depth analysis.

[Mahaakshay Chakraborty · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 1st Political book. I loved it. A great biography. Surely a must read.

[Anirudh Acharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well balanced book. It shows how it is easy to be a vigilante but hard to be in government.

[Akshay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surface level biography. Doesn't delve deeper into the pyshce of Thackeray. Entertaining in some parts; more due the life lived by the main character than the actual book.

[Jordan Balid · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kind of hate this book
And i have nothing to say more than that

[Kshitij Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, easy to read and well sourced history of Shiva Sena and its founder. Worth a read for anyone wanting ti acquaint themselves with the organisation.

[Kunal Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well written and amazing insight of Bala Saheb's Political Life.

[Amit Tyagi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book actually held promise in the early parts, as it starts off with a chronological history of the Shiv Sena over the years. That is much appreciated since any talk of Bal Thackeray or Shiv Sena is strongly laced with the writer's judgement. However, while reading this "objective journal", one's hoping that the author will eventually delve into some analysis, but that is short lived as whatever opinions or analyses are offered are pretty superficial and casual in their approach.

A good book to read for an objective history of the Sena and Bal Thackeray's career.

[Vishal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich insight into the world of politics in Maharashtra. Vaibhav Purandare humanizes Bala Saheb, a cartoonist who would revolutionize politics in the state, who, in my view, is one of the tallest political leaders. Bal Thackeray has shaped politics in such a way that no other has, bringing to the fore Marathi Asmita. Loathe him or love him, Bal Thackeray stands tall as an influential figure in the politics of Maharashtra. Absolutely interesting book on one of the most inspiring figures.

[Chandru]

too many news items and timelines mentioned. not too deep insights provided. missed a great oppty to write about the central character, Bal Thackeray who evokes too many emotions for too many folks. How did one city mumbai withstand all this action!

[Pratap Bhaskar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about anti-hero of marathi manoos and the hindutva in India. What you would dislike about the book is that it seems to be a collection of articles from the shivsena and the rival newspaper.

[Abhijit Selukar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needless to say a biased book. If you are a Marathi and know the history of SS then avoid.

[Harmeet · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about the history of bombay and rise of the right wing Shiv Sena political party.