Bhagwatilal Rajpurohit (born 2 November 1943) is an Indian scholar, playwright, and researcher known for his work in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Malwi literature. He has contributed to the preservation and study of Indian epigraphy, classical literature, and regional culture. In 2024, he was conferred the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to literature and education.[1][2][3][4][5]
Rajpurohit was born in Chandodiya village, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.[6] He earned master's degrees in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Ancient Indian History and Culture, and later completed a doctorate from Vikram University, Ujjain.[6]
Career
Rajpurohit is proficient in Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Apabhramsha, and Malwi. He has held academic positions including Director of the Maharaja Vikramaditya Research Institute, Ujjain, and Professor of Hindi at Sandipani Mahavidyalaya.[7] His research work includes deciphering ancient Indian Brahmi inscriptions and studying literary accounts related to Vikramaditya and Rajabhoj.[1][7]
He has published over a hundred books and edited several previously unpublished works.[8] His contributions include studies on the origins of modern Indian languages and research related to historical figures such as Patanjali.[1][8]
Literary work
Rajpurohit has authored more than fifty plays in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Malwi, often based on historical and mythological themes.[9] Notable works include Kalidascharitam, Shree Krishna Ujjaini, Raja Bhoj, Meera, and Kaikayi.[9] He has translated Sanskrit plays into Hindi and Malwi, including the complete works of Kalidasa.[9] His adaptations of Meghadoot and Ritusamhara into Hindi songs have been performed in cultural events.[9][10]
Cultural activities
Rajpurohit has participated in cultural events including the Bhartrihari Utsav, Vikramaditya Utsav, Bhoj Utsav, and Kalidas Samaroh.[11] He contributed to the establishment of the Rajpurohit Ashram in Ujjain and the Malwi Kala Sanskriti Sansthan.[11][12]
Awards
Rajpurohit has received several recognitions, including:
Kalidas Award (1963, 1964)
Bhoj Award of Madhya Pradesh Sanskrit Academy (1986, 1990, 1992, 2000)
Bal Krishna Sharma Navin Puraskar, Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Parishad (1990)
Dr. Radhakrishna Award, Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Grant Commission (1990, 1992)
Sanskrit Shikhar Samman, Government of Madhya Pradesh (2023)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
