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Laxman Maruti Gaikwad

ラクシュマン・マルティ・ガイクワード

Laxman Maruti Gaikwad

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1952-07-23 （Dhanegaon, Latur District, Maharashtra, India）
Nationality
India
Languages
Marathi, Hindi, English
Residence History
Mumbai, India

Career

Occupations
Writer, Novelist, Social activist
Active Years
1975-
Affiliations
Jankalyan Vikas Sanstha (President), Denotified and Nomadic Tribes Organization (President)
Memberships
Former member, National Human Rights Commission, Convener, Sahitya Akademi, Former member, State and Central Government Literature Department, Former member, State Backward Class Commission

Awards

Sahitya Akademi Award
1988
Work: Uchalya (The Branded)
Organization: Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Maharashtra Gourav Puraskar
1990
Organization: Government of Maharashtra
Result: 受賞
SAARC Literary Award
2001
Organization: SAARC / Presented by President of India
Result: 受賞
Best Writer Award (Government of Maharashtra)
2003
Organization: Government of Maharashtra
Result: 受賞
Galib Ratna Puraskar
Organization: Mumbai organisation
Result: 受賞
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Puraskar
Organization: Unknown awarding organization
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Uchalya (The Branded)

Autobiographical novel

Uchalya is an autobiographical work recounting the trials of the author's tribe, the Uchalya—historically labeled as pilferers by colonial classifications. The novel exposes social injustice faced by Dalits and nomadic communities in India and brought international recognition to the author; its English translation is known as The Branded.

Caste discriminationLife of nomadic/denotified tribesSocial injusticePoverty and marginalization
Adaptations
  • [Documentary] Uchalya (documentary produced by Government of India)
  • [Stage play] Uchalya (stage adaptation)
Translations
  • The Branded

Dhubang

Novel

One of his novels depicting the plight of the marginalized and working people.

Labor movementSocial justice

Wadar Vedna

Novel / Social literature

A work addressing the suffering of nomadic tribes and slum dwellers on the urban periphery.

Urban povertyTribal hardships

Bibliography

  • Uchalya
  • He Swatantrey konasati
  • Chini Matitil Divas
  • Samaj Sahitya Ani Swatantrey
  • Vakilya Pardhi
  • Wadar Vedna
  • Buddhachi Vippassanna
  • Dhubang
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkaranchi Jivan Ani karya
  • Utav
  • Gav Kusa Baheril Mansa

Adaptations

  • Government-produced documentary (Uchalya)
  • Stage adaptation (Uchalya)

Translations of Works

  • The Branded (English translation of Uchalya)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Autobiographical/confessional styleRealismSocially engaged prose
Recurring Motifs
Caste and discriminationTribal life and culturePoverty and mobilityResistance and survival

Legacy

Laxman Gaikwad is known for bringing the experiences of the Uchalya tribe and Dalits to the forefront of literature. Uchalya is considered a landmark in Marathi literature, cited in academic curricula and studied widely; it has been adapted into documentary and stage forms. He has received numerous awards and is recognized for bridging literature and social activism.

In Popular Culture

  • Works adapted into stage plays and documentary films

Trivia

  • Considered one of the youngest recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1988 (sources vary).
  • Uchalya was translated into English as The Branded, gaining international attention.
  • A government-produced documentary and national stage performances have been made based on Uchalya.
  • He has long been involved in welfare work for nomadic tribes, slum dwellers and labourers.