Govind Shantaram Athavale (b. 1910)

Marathi and Hindi director, better known as a Marathi lyricist; born in Pune, where he saw many classic Sangeet Natak? performances in his childhood. Apprenticed to novelist Narayan Hari Apte, helping him to publish the journal Madhukar in Koregaon. When Apte was invited to script Amritmanthan (1934) for Prabhat, Athavale followed his mentor as a songwriter, and achieved instant success esp. with the song Kiti sukhada. Achieved even greater renown when he wrote the only new song for Sant Tukaram? (1936), the others being the saint poet’s original compositions. The song in question, Adhi beej ekale, convinced many Tukaram authorities that an unknown Tukaram composition had been discovered. He wrote most of the songs of Prabhat hits such as Kunku? (1937), Mazha Mulga? and Gopal Krishna? (both 1938), Sant Dnyaneshwar? (1940), Sant Sakhu? and Shejari? (both 1941), Daha Wajta? (1942) and Ramshastri? (1944), often in partnership with composer Keshavrao Bhole?. Left Prabhat (1942) to write dialogues and lyrics for Debaki Bose’s Aple Ghar? (1942) and lyrics for Vijay Bhat?t’s Bharat Bhet? (1942). For his début as director with Bhagya Rekha, he hired his former teacher N.H. Apte together with the star associated with his songs, Shanta Apte.

Athavale’s Main Abla Nahin Hoon was one of Apte’s better-known post-Prabhat performances. Made numerous educational shorts and documentaries, mostly in English. Wrote a history of Prabhat, ‘Prabhat’ Kaal (1965).

FILMOGRAPHY: 1948: Bhagya Rekha; 1949: Main Abla Nahin Hoon; 1953: Vahinichya Bangdya; 1954: Sansar Karaychay Mala; 1955: Shevgyachya Shenga; 1958: Padada; 1960: Fix it Right (Doc); Write it Right (Doc); 1961: How to Vote (Doc); Gift of Sight (Doc); 1962: Citizens and Citizens (Doc); The Homecoming (Doc); Marriage and After (Doc); 1963: Chatur Balak; 1965: Vavtal; 1968: Sankat Main Swasthya Aur Safai (Doc); 1971:

Director Music