Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (28 May 1883 to 26 Feb 1966) was a fearless freedom fighter, social reformer, writer, dramatist, historian, political leader and philosopher. Savarkar’s thoughts touch upon virtually every aspect of nation-building and are relevant even today. Unfortunately, Savarkar has been a victim of malice and misinformation. As a considerable part of his literature is in Marathi, his thoughts and achievements in several spheres are largely unknown outside Maharashtra.
The web is a powerful medium of communication and is thankfully not subject to the whims of the thought-police. On scanning the World Wide Web, we found widespread interest on the subject of Savarkar but very little authentic content. This website is an humble attempt to present Savarkar’s life, thought, work and relevance to a global audience. By a happy coincidence, the website has been developed in 2008 or Savarkar’s 125th birth anniversary year. The website aims to be both comprehensive and authoritative. The website had its domain name registered on 28 May 2007, the birth anniversary of Veer Savarkar.
The first phase of this website was released on 26 February 2008, his atmarpan divas. In its first phase, the website is bilingual – in Marathi and English. The first phase focuses on four subjects that formed the core of Savarkar’s life-mission. These four subjects are armed revolution, social reform, rationalism and Hindutva. Savarkar’s views on social reform and rationalism are almost wholly in Marathi. His assorted thoughts on these two crucial topics have been translated into English for the benefit of those who cannot understand Marathi. The website has a brief life history of Veer Savarkar. The question and answer section of the website aims to place Savarkar in true perspective. The website gives brief information on some of Savarkar’s associates such as Shyamji Krishnavarma, Madanlal Dhingra, Madame Cama, Bhagoji Keer, Dr. Moonje and Dr. Mookerji. The website contains rare material on Veer Savarkar such as his first Marathi biography written in 1924 and the history of his revolutionary organization Abhinav Bharat that was written in 1950. The website has hundreds of rare photographs, audio clippings of his original speeches, rare video shots of Savarkar, video clippings of the places associated with him and the award-winning Films Division documentary on his life.
The website is dedicated to the sacred memory of Savarkar’s elder brother Krantiveer Babarao and sister-in-law Sau. Yesuvahini who made unprecedented sacrifices. It fittingly contains their brief English biography.
The website has been developed on a non-commercial basis. This website is a result of combined efforts of several individuals and organizations. We plan to periodically enrich this website further.
We appeal to you to give widespread publicity to this website and help in disseminating Savarkar’s message. We aim to translate and put up the Collected Works of Savarkar in all major Indian languages. We appeal to you to come forward and help us in translating Savarkar’s thoughts.
Acknowledgements:
- Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Mumbai
- Abhinav Bharat Mandir Trust, Nashik
- Deccan Education Society, Pune
- Hindu Mahasabha Bhavan, New Delhi
- Aditya Pratishthan, Pune
- Mumbai Hindu Sabha
- Gandhi Films Foundation
- Imperial War Museum, London
- Vishwas Vinayak Savarkar (son of Veer Savarkar)
- Himani Ashok Savarkar
- Vasudev Shankar Godbole, London (Author of books on Savarkar)
- Arvind Sadashiv Godbole, Mumbai (Savarkar’s physician, author of books on Savarkar, ex-President and present Trustee, Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Mumbai)
- Prem Vaidya, Pune (formerly, Films Division, Government of India, made award-winning Films Division documentary on Savarkar)
- Suhas Bahulkar, Mumbai (Renowned Artist, has made the much-acclaimed paintings and murals in Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Mumbai)
- Prabhakar Gangadhar Oak
- Dr. Aditya Dhopatkar
- Shridhar Damle
- Anurupa Cinar
- Chandrashekhar Sane
- Akshay Jog
- Dr. Harindra Srivastava
- Milind Sabnis
- Shashi Dharmadhikari
and several individuals who wish to remain unnamed.
You can now follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/savarkar_org/