Taj25O2937005 at 19:00, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T19:00:19Z

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{{Short description|Indian writer (c. 1957–2020)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dadu Mandrekar
| image = Dadu Mandrekar in 2015.jpg
| caption = Mandrekar in 2015
| birth_date = c. 1957
| birth_place = [[Mandrem]], Goa, India
| death_date = {{Death date|2020|11|26|df=y}} (aged 63)
| death_place =
| occupation = Activist, writer, poet, photographer
| education =
| notable_works = ''Bahishkrut Gomantak'' (1997)
| movement = [[Dalit]] rights, [[Ambedkarite]] movement, [[Tibetan independence movement]]
| awards = Goa Marathi Academy Literary Award
}}

'''Dadu Mandrekar''' (c. 1957 – 26 November 2020) was an Indian [[Dalit]] rights activist, writer, poet, and photographer from [[Goa]]. He was a prominent figure in the [[Ambedkarite]] movement in the state and is noted for his literary works documenting the caste-based discrimination prevalent in Goan society. Mandrekar was also a staunch supporter of the [[Tibetan independence movement]].<ref name="TOIDemise">{{Cite news |title=Dalit rights activist Dadu Mandrekar passes away at 63 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/dalit-rights-activist-dadu-mandrekar-passes-away-at-63/articleshow/79435922.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2020-11-27 |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref><ref name="TibetSupporter">{{Cite web |title=Speaker condoles demise of Tibet supporter Dadu Mandrekar |date=28 November 2020 |url=https://tibetanparliament.org/speaker-condoles-demise-of-tibet-supporter-dadu-mandrekar/ |publisher=Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref>

==Life and activism==
Mandrekar was born in [[Mandrem]], Goa. During his education at Mandre High School, he was influenced by the biography of [[B. R. Ambedkar]] and the Marathi novel ''Amrutvel'' by [[V. S. Khandekar]].<ref name="TOIDemise" /> He initially worked in the government sector but resigned to dedicate himself to full-time social work.<ref name="TOIDemise" /> He lived in Mandrem and later Panjim.<ref name="AlzulaijRemember">{{Cite web |title=Remembering Dadu |url=http://alzulaijgoa.com/2020/11/29/remembering-dadu/ |publisher=The Al-Zulaij Collective |date=2020-11-29 |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref>

===Dalit rights and social work===
Mandrekar's activism focused on the eradication of caste-based discrimination and untouchability. He encouraged Dalit youth to abandon traditional caste-associated occupations, such as playing drums at temples and bamboo craftsmanship.<ref name="TOIDemise" /> He co-founded the Social Justice Action Committee-Goa to address issues faced by marginalized communities.<ref name="AlzulaijRemember" />

He spent years documenting the conditions of Dalit colonies (''vastis'') and the lives of the destitute in Goa, often traveling by autorickshaw to map these areas.<ref name="PrintSilent">{{Cite news |title=Goa is silent on caste. It's invisible, and not in English |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/goa-is-silent-on-caste-its-invisible-and-not-in-english/2623543/ |work=ThePrint |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> He embraced [[Buddhism]] and worked to propagate its teachings alongside modern education within the Dalit community.<ref name="TOIDemise" /><ref name="GoaNewsHub">{{Cite web |title=Dadu Mandrekar Takes Eternal Rest On Samvidhan Divas |url=https://goanewshub.com/dadu-mandrekar-takes-eternal-rest-on-samvidhan-divas/ |publisher=Goa News Hub |date=2020-11-26 |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> He was also associated with the "green brigade" as an environmentalist.<ref name="TOIDemise" />

===Support for Tibet===
Mandrekar was an ardent supporter of the Tibetan cause. He authored books on [[Tibet]] in the [[Marathi language]] and organized various events and photo campaigns in Goa to raise awareness about the region's issues.<ref name="TibetSupporter" />

==Literary works==
Mandrekar was a prolific writer in Marathi and Konkani, known for his "raw and angry" yet composed style that balanced the "horror and humour" of caste realities.<ref name="NIEUntouchable">{{Cite news |title=Untouchable Goa: Dadu Mandrekar's writings return in translation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2025/Jul/17/untouchable-goa-dadu-mandrekars-writings-return-in-translation |work=The New Indian Express |date=2025-07-17 |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> He edited the annual magazine ''Prajasattak'', which published articles in Marathi, Hindi, and English on constitutional principles.<ref name="TOIDemise" /><ref name="GoaNewsHub" />

===Books===
* ''Bahishkrut Gomantak'' (1997): A collection of articles and essays documenting caste violence and discrimination in Goa. The book challenges the idyllic image of Goa by highlighting the "parallel geography" of poverty and humiliation faced by lower castes.<ref name="PrintSilent" /> It details specific rituals, such as the exhumation of graves during the [[Shigmo]] festival in villages like Amone and Sal, where bones were paraded before deities.<ref name="NIEUntouchable" /> It also discusses discriminatory practices against the [[Mahar]] community and the specific stigmatization of women.<ref name="NIEUntouchable" /> In 2025, an English translation of the book titled ''Untouchable Goa'', translated by Nikhil Baisane, was published by Panther's Paw Publication.<ref name="NIEUntouchable" /><ref name="PrintSilent" />
* ''Shapit Surya'' (Cursed Sun): A collection of poems.<ref name="TOIDemise" />
* ''Satyacha Shodh'': A study on the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]].<ref name="GoaNewsHub" />

==Awards and recognition==
Mandrekar received several awards for his contributions to literature and social work:
* Goa Marathi Academy Literary Award for his poetry collection ''Shapit Surya''.<ref name="GoaNewsHub" />
* Mahatma Phule and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vichar Pracharak Sanstha Literary Award for ''Bahishkrut Gomantak''.<ref name="GoaNewsHub" />

==Death==
Mandrekar died on 26 November 2020, at the age of 63, following a brief illness. His death coincided with [[Constitution Day (India)|Samvidhan Divas]] (Constitution Day), a day of significance to his activism.<ref name="TOIDemise" /><ref name="GoaNewsHub" />

Following his death, tributes were paid by various figures, including the Speaker of the [[Tibetan Parliament in Exile]], Pema Jungney, who condoled the loss of a "staunch and ardent supporter" of the Tibetan movement.<ref name="TibetSupporter" /> Writer [[Maria Aurora Couto]] also wrote a tribute, recalling his directness and their friendship.<ref name="AlzulaijCouto">{{Cite web |title=Maria Aurora Couto remembers Dadu Mandrekar |url=http://alzulaijgoa.com/2020/12/05/maria-aurora-couto-remembers-dadu-mandrekar/ |publisher=The Al-Zulaij Collective |date=2020-12-05 |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category inline}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandrekar, Dadu}}
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:Dalit activists]]
[[Category:Dalit writers]]
[[Category:Indian male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Goa]]

Dadu Mandrekar - Revision history

Taj25O2937005 at 19:00, 18 December 2025