Ashwin Chitale

{{short description|Indian actor|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Ashwin Chitale‌ | image = Ashwin Chitale (2024).jpg | alt = | caption = Chitale in 2024 | birth_name = | birth_date = 18 April 1996 | birth_place = Pune, Maharashtra, India | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Actor, Poet | years_active = 2004–present | known_for = | notable_works = ''Shwaas'' (2004) ''Taxi No. 9211'' (2006) ''Aashayein'' (2010) | awards = National Film Award for Best Child Artist }}

'''Ashwin Chitale''' also known as '''Ashwin Afraad''' is an Indian poet, writer, storyteller and actor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=Pune Mirror |date=2021-11-08 |title=Ruminating over Rumi |url=https://punemirror.com/entertainment/unwind/ruminating-over-rumi/cid5715432.htm |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=punemirror.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-15 |title=Pune This Week: From searching for love on stage to exploring the poetry of Rumi and travelling to the valley of flowers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-this-week-stage-rumi-poetry-travel-8151319/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-31 |title=National Award winner to bring Sindhi love sagas to Pune |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/national-award-winner-sindhi-love-sagas-9242392/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> He won the national award for best child actor<ref name="Frontline-20041009">{{cite news|url=http://www.frontline.in/navigation/?type=static&page=flonnet&rdurl=fl2121/stories/20041022002609000.htm|title=Breath of hope|last=Rajadhyaksha |first=Mukta|date=2004-10-09|work=Frontline|accessdate=4 May 2013}}</ref> for his performance in the film ''Shwaas'' (2004) a Marathi language film. He has played the role of Govinda in the Nagesh Kukunoor directed Hindi movie ''Aashayein''.<ref name="Filmytown-20130504">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmytown.com/aashayein.htm|title=Ashayein|author=Paw|work=filmytown.com|accessdate=4 May 2013}}</ref> The other Hindi films in which he acted are ''Zor Lagaa Ke...Haiya!'' (2009) and ''Ahista Ahista'' (2006).<ref name="OneIndiaEntertainment-20130504">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebs/master-ashwin-chitale/filmography.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620093827/http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/master-ashwin-chitale/filmography.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2015|title=Master Ashwin Chitale filmography|work=One India entertainment|publisher=Greynium Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd.|accessdate=4 May 2013}}</ref> He also played the role of Rishabh Shastri, son of Raghav Shastri (Nana Patekar) in ''Taxi No. 9211'' (2006). thumb|'''President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Best Child Artists Award to Ashwin Chitale in 2005''' Chitale belongs to Pune,<ref name="rediff-20041122">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/nov/02ashwin.htm|title=At home with Shwaas star Ashwin Chitale|last=Nadar|first=Ganesh|date=2004-11-02|work=rediff.com|accessdate=4 May 2013}}</ref> completed his schooling at Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya.<ref name="rediff-20041122" /> and has completed his Master's in Indology and Philosophy<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-28 |title=Philosophy |url=https://ashwinafraad.wordpress.com/philosophy/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=ashwinafraad |language=en}}</ref>

Ashwin has founded ''Aashwin Heritage'', a company dedicated to history, heritage, art, and cultural awareness in India. He has conducted heritage walks and trips across the country, blending storytelling and narratives to bring history to life. Based in Pune, the company frequently organizes heritage walks in and around the city, especially following the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SPOTLIGHT {{!}} A Walk through the Lanes of History |url=https://www.artnowthus.in/blog/spotlight-a-walk-through-the-lanes-of-history-with-aashwin-heritage |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=ArtNowThus / 8910 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ashwin has developed a deep interest in the Persian language and created a show called ''Rumi Hai'', which portrays the life and works of Rumi. Performing under his stage and pen name, Afraad, Ashwin Chitale brings this production to life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-09 |title=Immerse into the philosophy behind Rumi's quotes with this performance in Thane in Mumbai |url=https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/ruminating-the-unknown-23296827 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>

In 2024, Ashwin developed an interest in the Sindhi language and created a show titled ''Shah Jo Risalo'', based on the seven Sindhi love stories written by Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.<ref name=":0" />

Ashwin also teaches Persian and Urdu, conducts heritage trips, and organizes storytelling workshops for children. He has delivered several online and offline lectures on Rumi, Sufism, Omar Khayyam, and the Persian literary tradition.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=UcO4kQK58HEso2yn&v=N8-vi_4vQBM&feature=youtu.be |title=अश्विन चितळे: 'श्वास', रूमी आणि फारसी भाषेचे सौंदर्य {{!}} |date=2025-02-01 |last=Mu. Po. Manoranjan {{!}} मुक्कामपोस्ट मनोरंजन |access-date=2025-02-06 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|1727096}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chitale, Ashwin}} Category:Living people Category:Indian male child actors Category:Best Child Artist National Film Award winners Category:1996 births