Suresh Bhat

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Suresh Bhat (15 April 1932 – 14 March 2003) was a Marathi poet from the state of Maharashtra, India.

Bhat was born in a Karhade Brahmin family in Amravati, Maharashtra to Shridhar Bhat, a physician. His mother was fond of poetry and made young Bhat often read famous Marathi poems. He later acknowledged this practice to be a key influence in the development of his poetic abilities. He earned the B.A. degree in 1955. Poems comforted him as he battled bitterness and depression throughout his life finally accepting Atheism.^[1]

After completing his education he took teaching jobs in rural areas of Amravati and continued writing poems.

In 1964, he married Pushpa Mehendale, who hailed from Pune, but worked as teacher in Madhan, Amravati.

He converted to Buddhism in presence of Bhante Surai Sasai and Bhau Lokhande. Dr. Ambedkar was an ideal to him.^[2]

Bhat died of cardiac arrest on 14 March 2003, at the aged of 70.^[3] He is survived by his son, Chittranjan Bhat and daughter.^[1] The famous ghazal writer Ilahi Jamadar was his student.

Bhat published his first collection of poems, Roopgandha in 1961. In 1974, he published his second collection, Ranga maazhaa wegalaa and in 1983 he self-published a collection named Elgaar. Other collections of his poems include Zanjhaavaat and Saptaranga

Roopgandha and Ranga maazhaa wegalaa were the recipients of the state literary awards sponsored by the Government of Maharashtra^[3] in their respective years of publication.

Poet Ilahi Jamadar was his student in Pune.^[4]

His famous song on B. R. Ambedkar 'Bhimraya Ghe Tuzya Ya Lekranchi Vandana' (father Ambedkar, take these offerings from your children).^[2]

Bhat's poems are generally classified as Marathi ghazals.

Bhat's best-known verses gained popularity after they were set to music by Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and were sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.^[3]

Bhat's poem 'Maayboli' was composed by music director Kaushal Inamdar as the Marathi Abhimaangeet as a song featuring more than 450 singers.^{[citation needed]}

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• Roopgandha
• Ranga maazhaa vegalaa
• Elgaar
• Zanjhaavaat
• Saptaranga
• Rasvanticha Mujara
• Kaflaa

• www.sureshbhat.in - a site dedicated to Suresh Bhat and Marathi ghazals (in Marathi)
• An interview with Suresh Bhat (in Marathi)
• http://www.sureshbhat.in/
• Suresh Bhat: BookGanga