Shakespeare Memorial receives unusual gift from Maharashtra

London, Mar 9 (PTI) The Shakespeare Memorial at
British town of Stratford upon Avon has received an unusual
gift from Maharashtra - three books presented by octogenarian
Marathi poet Mangesh Padgaonkar.

The books will form part of the Memorial's public
collection.

After Rabindranath Tagore, the next Indian poet to
find a pride of place in the Memorial is Padgaonkar.

Padgaonkar, who was on a wheelchair, travelled from
London to Stratford upon Avon, specially to gift the Marathi
translation of 'The Tempest', 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Julius
Ceasar', his spokesman said Sunday night.

These were received by the Memorial's Director of
Learning, Dr Paul Edmondon. As a tribute to Padgaonkar's
monumental work, Edmondon read out a few paragraphs from the
Bard's works and Padgaonkar reciprocated by reading their
Marathi translation.

Padgaonkar was taken to the highly-protected archives
of the Memorial where he saw some of the oldest works on
Shakespeare, one of them published just seven years after the
death of the greatest playwright.

During the UK visit, Padgaonkar visited the Canterbury
Cathedral and presented a copy of his translation of the New
Testament to the Archbishop. Canon Clare received it on behalf
of the Archbishop.

Padgaonkar was felicitated by the Maharashtra Mandal
on Saturday for receiving the "Maharashtra Bhooshan," highest
civilian award of the state government.

Local members of the Mandal rendered a few of
Padgaonkar's popular songs on the occasion. The function was
organised by the Kale Trust of London and the Mandal. An
audio-visual based on Padgaonkar telling his life story was
released on the occasion. The film is made by "Granthali", the
influential literary movement in Maharashtra. PTI HSR
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