Eminent Marathi literary scholar R C Dhere no more

Eminent Marathi writer R C Dhere, known for his exhaustive research in folk literature and bhakti tradition of Maharashtra, passed away here this morning following prolonged illness, family sources said.
He was 86.
Dhere, a recipient of the Sahitya Academy Award in 1987 for his book 'Sri Vitthal- A Mahasamanvayak (Lord Vitthal- A great coordinator)', carved a niche for himself by tracing the roots of Maharashtra's folk traditions and literature with an extensive research that highlighted the influence of saints on Maharashtrian ethos.
His other works that won acclaim included 'Muslim Marathi Saint Poets', 'Dakshinecha Lokdev Khandoba', 'History of Nath Sampraday' and 'Sri Venkateshwara'.

All India Marathi Sahitya Sammelan president Sripal Sabnis paid rich tributes to Dhere saying he set high standards in literary criticism and research that would inspire generations of Marathi writers.
(Reopens BES2)

Meanwhile, condoling Dhere's demise, Maharashtra Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state has lost an exhaustive and a dedicated researcher in the field of folk literature.
"The information gathered by Dr Dhere about India's history and folk literature is priceless. He has done immense work in areas that were untouched in the history of state's culture," he said.
State Cultural Affairs minister Vinod Tawde described Dhere as a worshipper of folk literature and said that the young generation, keen on researching in the fields of Marathi culture will find Dhere's study compilations very useful.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said Dhere was a 'great researcher'.
"Though Dhere studied history, he was a man with a modern mindset. In the current constricted atmosphere related to religion, his views were testimony of it (his modern mindset). His steadfast belief on studies and his vocabulary skills will always be remembered by Maharashtra," Patil said.