Dilip Prabhavalkar:
Dilip Prabhavalkar is by far one of the finest thespians of Marathi Theater today. Prabhavalkar entered TV serials as 'Chimanrao' in the serial of the same name, telecast on Doordarshan in 1977-79. In 1992 he received the Maharashtra State award for best actor for his portrayal of a mentally retarded boy In the film 'Chaukat Raja'. He achieved nation-wide recognition when he portrayed the role of Mahatma Gandhi in 2006 film Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
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Ashok Saraf:
The all time great comedian and character actor from the world of Marathi Feature films and theater. With his intense acting and perfect sense of timing he has raised the bar in acting.
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Kanchan Parulekar:
She started as highschool teacher in Usha Raje Girl's highschool. She left Bank-Officers' lucrative -steady job at the age of 42, to accept the challenge of shouldering "Swayamsiddha" - an institution devoted for women's personal development, self- confidence, self-defense and self-dependency as Director on 01/05/1992 & is still today.
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Anil Mohile:
At the age of 7, he started Sangeet Sadhana Playing Jaltarang, Tabla Tarang, etc. He worked as Music Arranger & Orchestra Conductor with Vetern Music Composers like Pandit Hirdaynath Mangeshkar, Sachin Dey Burman, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Khayyam, Kalyanji - Anandji, Bappi Lahiri, Anup Jalota & Shrinivas Kale. He was honored as 'Best Music Director' By Maharashtra State Government in 1986 - Marathi Film Festival.
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Dr. Smita & Dr. Ravindra Kolhe:
Inspired by David Verner's 'Where there is no Doctor', this young Doctor, Dr. Ravindra Kolhe, decided to take the road less travelled and left for Behragad in Satpura ranges. Alongwith his wife, Dr. Smita Kolhe, he has devoted his life towards the wel-being of Adivasis.
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Pravin Thipsay:
He has received the title of 'International Grandmaster' from International Chess Federation (FIDE) in 1997, 'Arjuna Award' from the Government of India in 1984 & 'Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar' from the Government of Maharashtra in 1990. He was the first Indian to achieve a Grandmaster Norm (in 1985).
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Narayan Surve:
Padmashri Mr. Narayan Surve lived a tough life in mill workers colony – and his poetry is doing the work of opening the eyes of people whose world doesn’t go beyond themselves.
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Madhukar Nerale:
Tamasha is one of the important cultural art forms of Maharashtra. Mr. Madhukar Nerale, who is from the family of Tamasha artists has been working relentlessly for the upliftment of Tamasha and Lavani artists.
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Kumar Ketkar:
He has been in the field of journalism for 40 years. He started writing in 'Maratha' of Acharya Atre. He has also written for the Times of India Group for over 27 yrs, as editor-in-chief Maharastra Times & currently is the chief editor of Loksatta. He has received the 'Rajiv Gandhi Journalism of Excellence Award'
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