Foreword
We see many ideal families where the family members are completely compatible with the family-life of the head of the family: but in a very few families, we see the kith and kin of the head of the family rendering their heartfelt support in her or his life-mission. In ancient times, two of the followers of the great saint Dnyanadev had this fortune. Saint Namdev's four sons, four daughters-in-law, his daughter and his humble servant Janabai all followed the same path of devotion to Lord Vitthal. Saint Chokhamela also enjoyed the same fortune. His wife, son, sister and the sister's husband- all of them composed devotional verses like him.
Even in modern times, such pleasing scenario can be seen in the society in some families. The Nehru family has nurtured the tradition of political leadership. The Kirloskars have made their mark in the field of industries. In the same way, Maharshi Karve's kith and kin have kept the flame of his mission of women's education alight. Iravati Karve, N. M. Athavale, Parvatibai Athavale, Bhaskarrao Karve, K. R. Palkar, Kaveri Karve, Kunda Nene, Vasantrao Nene are some of his relatives whose contribution to Maharshi Karve's mission is of immense value.
Family devoted to the cause of women's education
The name of Mrs. Anandibai alias Baya Karve occupies an important place among all the names mentioned earlier. She was Maharshi Karve's wife and an avowed companion all along the entire journey of his life. Maharshi Karve and some of his relatives wrote their autobiographies. In the same way, Anandibai also wrote her
autobiographical account, titled 'Maze Puran' ( )"The Saga of My Life'. It's first edition was published in 1944. Only after seven years, in 1951, a famous Bombay based publishing company named Keshav Bhikaji Dhavale published its second edition. The crown-sized edition of the book, consisting of a hundred and fifty pages was priced for two and a quarter rupees only. Now, the third edition is being published by the Institute (Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha). It is a happy and auspicious moment for the Institute to publish the autobiography of Mrs. Anandibai alias Baya Karve, because it occupies an important place in the history of women's education, as an authentic document.
Arrangement of the book
Baya has given a very simple and appropriate title for her book. The title is "Maze Puran' 'माझे पुराण' 'The Saga of My life'.
Her daughter-in-law, the late Mrs. Kaveri Bhaskar Karve has excellently accomplished the job of editing the book. In the beginning of the first edition, she has written her preface titled "Naman' (नमन) -'Respectful Tribute'. At the end of the book, she has written the last chapter comprising fifteen pages, titled 'Akher' (अखेर) - 'Baya's Last Days'. It is a comprehensive summing up of Baya's autobiographical account. The second edition of the book includes her preface 'Nivedan' (निवेदन), comprising two pages.
The editor has presented the book in the form of twenty-one small and self-contained chapters. They come under the titles like.... Childhood', 'Marriage', 'Widowhood', 'Sharada-Sadan', 'Remarriage', "New Life after Remarriage', 'The Ashram', 'Our Sons' Education', 'A True Picture of the Society', 'Visit to Africa', 'Provision of My Income', 'Some Untoward Incidents in My Life', 'Karve Even when we read the titles of the chapters, we get a good idea of the content of the autobiography.
Mrs. Kaveritai Karve has explained her viewpoint, as the editor of the book in the following way: "Her experiences are worthy of serving guidelines for others. I have retained what Baya had written except the necessary re-arrangement of the stray strands in her writing. Throughout her life, Baya has worked with a true missionary spirit.
About The Book
THE SAGA OF MY LIFE
Translation of Anandibai alias Baya Karve's autobiography MAZE PURAN 'माझे पुराण'
is a precious social document portraying the social life in Maharashtra in the latter half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.
It is precious not just because Baya Karve was the wife of a great social reformer Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, but because she herself practised noble humanitarian ideals in her personal life; struggling against the orthodoxy of the contemporary society,
Simplicity and straightforwardness of the language, honesty and transparency are some of the rare and remarkable features of this autobiography.
Translation of this trailblazer autobiographical account will serve the purpose of making it accessible to a larger readership in India and abroad.
Hindu (935)
Agriculture (118)
Ancient (1085)
Archaeology (754)
Architecture (563)
Art & Culture (910)
Biography (702)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (565)
Islam (242)
Jainism (307)
Literary (896)
Mahatma Gandhi (372)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist