Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere was born on 21st July 1930 at Nigade, a small village near Pune. He completed his primary education from Municipal School, Pune and secondary education from Poona English School and Poona Night School. In 1966, he completed his graduation. During his high school days he served as a proof reader in the local press. In 1975, he got his Ph.D. In 1980 he was honoured with a Doctorate in Literature (D.lit) by Pune University. In 2004, he received yet another of his D.lit.This was conferred upon him by the deemed University, Deccan college, Pune.
Since 1955 he has been writing on various subjects. Saint literature, Folk deities and gods, Bhakti cult, holy places, folk literature, folk culture, folk art are his areas of studies. Some of his famous books are 'History of Nath cult' (Nath Sampradayacha Itihass), 'History of Dutta Cult' (Dutta Sampradayacha Itihaas), Chakrapani, Lajjagauri, Khandoba, In Search Of Indian Theater (Bharatiya Rangbhoomichya Shodhat), etc. Till now, a total 105 no. of his books have been published. These include his edited and prefaced works also.
Many national-international scholars refer his books to understand the cultural tradition of Maharashtra. Lot of international scholars also often cite his work in various fora and on official research platforms. Recently, his researched volume "Shree Tulajabhawani" is Published. Now his new research project, "Karveerniwasini Mahalaxmi" is in print.
He is honoured with the 'Maharashtra Gaurav' award by Maharashtra Government, Lifetime Achievement Award by Maharashtra Foundation, Sahitya Academy Award and various awards by Pune and Mumbai University as well as Maharashtra Sahitya parishad, and a few other awards of Maharashtra government.
Accolades edit
- Maharashtra State Award: 1959 Dutta Sampradayacha Itihaas
- Maharashtra State Award: 1959 Natha Sampradayacha Itihaas
- Maharashtra State Award: 1961 Pravassi Pandit
- Pune University Award: 1961 Khandoba
- Maharashtra State Award: 1969 Musalmaan Marathi Santakavi
- Chiplunkar Award by University of Pune: 1969 Musalmaan Marathi Santakavi
- Maharashtra State Award: 1971 Shree Namdeo- Ek Vijayyatra
- UGC Senior Rese-arch Fellowship by Deccan College: 1976-78 For a research project- 'Baalgraha: Ek daivatshastriya Adhyayan'
- DR. Y.V. Paranjape Award by University of Pune: 1977 Chakrapani
- Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad Award: 1978 Murarimalla- virachit Balkrida
- Maharashtra State Award: 1978 Murarimalla- virachit Balkrida
- UGC Senior Research Associateship by University of Pune: 1979-84 For a research project: 'Shree Vitthal: Daivat, Sampradaay ani Sahitya.'
- Maharashtra State Award: 1980 Chakrapani
- Maharashtra State Award: 1980 Lajjagauri
- Medal by Pune Municipal Corporation: 1980
- Honorary Membership of Rajwade Sanshodhan Mandal, Dhule: 1981
- Fellowship by Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya Sanskriti Mandal: 1983
- N.C. Kelkar Award by Kesari-Maratha Trust: Shree Vitthal: Ek Mahasamnavay.
- Maharashtra State Award: 1984-85 Shree Vitthal: Ek Mahasamnavay.
- Sahitya Academy Award: 1987 Shree Vitthal: Ek Mahasamnavay.
- Award by Ichalkaranji Education and Charitable Trust: 1988 Shree Vitthal: Ek Mahasamnavay.
- Maharashtra Gourav Award By Maharashtra Govt.: 1990
- S.N. Paranjape Award by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad: 1991 Loksahitya: Shodh ani Sameeksha
- Sant Dnyandeo Award by University of Pune: 1991 For invaluable contribution to saint literature
- For his special contribution to Marathi literature
- Shree Dadamaharaj Natekar Award: 1995 For his lifelong research and writtings on Saint literature
- Nanasaheb Naralkar Award: 1998 For his scholarly work in the field of Marathi literature
- Prof. A.K. Priyolkar Memorial Award: 1998
- S.D. Pendse Award by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad: 1999
- Award by Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust, Pune: 2000 For his invaluable contribution to Marathi literature
- Shree Mahalakshmi Award by Agrawal Trust, Pune: 2000 For his noteworthy contribution to Marathi literature
- Lifetime Achievement Award by Maharashtra Foundation, USA-Mumbai: 2000
- Award by Shaniwarwada Mahotsav Samiti, Pune: 2000 For his massive and noteworthy contribution to Marathi literature
- Dr. Chandrashekhar Kapale Memorial Award by Jangamvadi Veer-Shaiva Math, Kaashi: 2001
- Mrutyunjay Award by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad: 2002
- Prof. N.R. Phatak Memorial Award by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad: 2004 For his research in the field of Saint literature.
- Santa-Darshan Award by Sant Darshan Mandal, Pune: 2005
- Sahitya Seva-Shree Award by Shree Foundation, Sangali: 2005
- Honorary D.lit. by Deccan College Deemed University, Pune: 2004
- 'Jeevanvrat' Award by Chatushrungi Seva Samiti, Pune: 2005
- Lifetime Achievement Award by Bhartiya Vidyabhavan and Advocate D.R.Nagaekar Foundation, Pune: 2005
- 'Nanasaheb Peshwe VidwatGourav Award' by Parvati Devsthan, Pune: 2007
- Dnyaneshwar-Tukaram Award by Maharashtra Govt.: 2007
- 'Shree Moraya Jeevan-Gourav' Award by Chinchwad Devasthan, Chinchwad Pune: 2007
- 'SahkarMaharshi Sahitya' Award by Sahakar-Maharshi Shankarrao Mohite Patil Pratishthan, Solapur: 2008
- Shree Vishnudas Mahhurkar Memorial Award by Shree Vishnudas Mahhurkar Smriti mahotsav Mandal, Nanded: 2008
- 'Jeevan-Sadhana Gourav' Award by Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune: 2009