पु.ल. देशपांडे -- Purushottam Laxman Deshpande

P.L. Deshpande, popularly known by his Marathi initials ‘Pu La’, strode the cultural firmament of Maharashtra like a colossus for over four decades. He was a multifaceted genius – illustrious Marathi writer, film and stage actor, singer, harmonium player, music composer and director, and an orator.

Pu La, was born on 8 Nov 1919 in Bombay to Laxman & Lakshmibai Deshpande. Pu La did his schooling in Bombay, went to Fergusson College, Pune, for undergraduate studies and did an M.A. from Willingdon College, Sangli.  He served as a lecturer in a college at Belgaum  and at Kirti College in Mumbai.

Pu La was honoured with many titles and awards, including the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, Sahitya Akademi Award in 1965, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1968, President of the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1974, Padma Bhushan in 1990 and Puneya Bhushan (Pride of Pune) in 1993.