Pune, Maharashtra – The family of the late Gangadhar Kelkar has voiced urgent concerns regarding attempts to convert his ancestral samadhi (mausoleum) into a cowshed, appealing to the citizens of Pune to help preserve this piece of heritage. Dr. Shrikant Kelkar, an 83-year-old ophthalmologist and grandson of Gangadhar Kelkar, recently visited the site and implored the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take decisive action to protect the structure.
Dr. Kelkar stated that there have been repeated efforts to repurpose the area surrounding the samadhi for use as a cowshed. He has submitted multiple applications to the PMC highlighting these concerns and urging for the preservation of the site, which was constructed in 1928 by Gangadhar Kelkar’s sons, Bhaskar and Dinkar Kelkar. Bhaskar Kelkar was associated with the renowned Kelkar opticians, while Dinkar Kelkar was the founder of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum.
The samadhi, located in the Mutha riverbed behind the Omkareshwar temple, has faced challenges over the years. While the structure itself was built in 1928, historical accounts suggest it sank by about six feet following the Panshet dam floods in 1961. The family has been actively engaged in efforts to ensure its protection as a heritage structure. In February 2023, the family installed a legacy board detailing the history and construction of the samadhi, emphasizing its importance for future generations. The board explicitly states: “This Samadhi belongs to late Gangadhar Kelkar and it was constructed by Bhaskar and Dinkar Kelkar in 1928.”
Previously, the Kelkar family had also raised objections against the site being converted into a religious shrine by unidentified individuals. They have consistently advocated for the preservation of the original structure. Dr. Shrikant Kelkar has communicated with PMC officials, including the former Mayor Muralidhar Mohol, seeking permission to restore the samadhi at his own expense, citing years of correspondence with the civic body since 2018. Despite these efforts, the family claims that the PMC has not provided a definitive response regarding its heritage status, although the civic body acknowledged in a letter in March 2022 that the monument’s protection could be considered as part of a river improvement project due to its unique structure and aesthetic value.
The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, founded by Dinkar Kelkar, is a testament to his lifelong passion for collecting Indian artifacts. His extensive collection, numbering over 22,000 items, reflects the everyday life and craftsmanship of India across various eras. The museum itself is a significant cultural institution in Pune, housing a vast array of objects that narrate tales of Indian heritage.
The current situation underscores a broader challenge in urban heritage preservation, where historical structures often face threats from encroachment and neglect. The Kelkar family’s continued advocacy highlights the importance of community involvement and official action in safeguarding cultural landmarks for posterity.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
