पुरुषोत्तम लक्ष्मण [पु. ल.] देशपांडे हे लोकप्रिय मराठी लेखक, नाटककार, नट, कथाकार व पटकथाकार, दिग्दर्शक आणि संगीत दिग्दर्शक होते. त्यांना महाराष्ट्राचे लाडके व्यक्तिमत्त्व असे म्हटले जायचे. त्यांच्या आद्याक्षरांवरून महाराष्ट्रात ते प्रेमाने पु. ल. म्हणून ओळखले जातात. लेखक आणि कवी वामन मंगेश दुभाषी ऊर्फ ऋग्वेदी हे पु.ल.देशपांड्यांचे आजोबा होते तर आणि सतीश दुभाषी हे मामेभाऊ आहेत.
P. L. Deshpande was one of the legends in marathi literature. Probably the most read, most quoted and most loved author of maharashtra
The writings though mostly known for its sublime comic nature,include a vast range of plays,caricatures,essays, travelogues and much more
Marathi is my mother-tongue but in 23 years of my existence I have probably read only 4 Marathi novels. That and the fact that I am reviewing a Marathi book in English speaks volumes of the need of Marathi literature in my life. To remedy this situation, I picked one of the most beloved authors in Maharashtra, Pu La Deshpande.
You cannot grow up in Pune without hearing his incidents, his command over the language and the several plays and novels that he has authored. He was known for his vivacious personality and his razor-sharp tongue. In this book, he has written colourful character sketches about renowned people who have impacted him. These people are truly remarkable with talents in writing, singing, theatre, social service, etc. More importantly, all of them share enviable personal qualities like humility, kindness and a love for life.
I took way too long to finish this 140 page book, but I was ecstatic when I finished. I did not ‘enjoy’ reading because honestly, reading in Marathi was a task for me. However, I did enjoy the book and it taught me many new things. The personality which impressed me the most was Madan Mohan Lohia who was a general manager at a sugar factory in Kolhapur but who was also an ardent theatre lover. I hope I pick up another Marathi book soon and reading it no longer remains a ‘task’. I was not lucky enough to see Pu La in real life but every time I see a play in Bal Gandharva Rangamandir, I remember that this cultural building stands tall today because of him. I can read his books and listen to his comical sketches and laugh to my heart's content. He lives even today, 100 years after his birth through his endearing work.
स्पर्धा. वरचढ. रॅट रेस. या अशा शब्दांची रेलचेल आता वाढली आहे. कारण आता व्यवसाय कुठलाही असो, या शब्दांच्या मागे "जीवघेणी" हा शब्द आपोआप जोडला जातो. पण एक असा काळ होता, जेव्हा एकाच वर्तुळात वावरणारी कितीतरी दिग्गज मंडळी, जेव्हा एकमेकांबद्दल काही बोलत असत, त्यात सुद्धा एक प्रकारची आपुलकी असायची. स्तुती असू देत किंवा मग टीका, त्यात समोरच्याला दुखावण्याचा हेतू कधीच नसायचा. व्यक्ती चित्रणाची किमया पु. लं च्या "व्यक्ती आणि वल्ली" मध्ये आपण अनुभवली आहेच. त्यांनी त्यांच्या "आपुलकी" या पुस्तकात विविध क्षेत्रात कार्यरत असलेल्या अनेक नामवंत व्यक्तींबद्दल, त्यांच्या कामाबद्दल, आणि त्यांनी आपल्यावर सुद्धा कसा प्रभाव पाडला, यावर खूप छान शब्दांत लिहिलेलं आहे.