{{Short description|Marathi poet (1932–2003)}} {{More citations needed|article's section called "Life"|date=December 2008}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Suresh Bhat | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1932|4|15}} | birth_place = Amravati, Maharashtra, India | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2003|3|14|1932|4|15}} | death_place = Nagpur, Maharashtra, India | occupation = Poet, lyricist }} '''Suresh Bhat''' (15 April 1932 – 14 March 2003) was a Marathi poet from the state of Maharashtra, India.
==Life==
Bhat was born in a Karhade Brahmin family in Amravati, Maharashtra.<ref name="firstpost.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/long-reads/dalit-shahirs-of-maharashtra-in-suresh-bhats-ghazals-a-fight-against-oppression-5525901.html|title=Dalit shahirs of Maharashtra: In Suresh Bhats ghazals, a fight against oppression|date=9 November 2018 |website=Firstpost|last=Maitreya|first=Yogesh}}</ref> His mother was fond of poetry and made young Bhat often read famous Marathi poems. This was a key influence in the development of his own poetry. He earned a B.A. degree in 1955. He struggled with depression throughout his life.
After completing his education he took teaching jobs in rural areas of Amravati and continued writing poems.<ref name="TOI" />
In 1964, he married Pushpa Mehendale, who came from Pune but worked as teacher in Madhan, Amravati.
He converted to Buddhism in the presence of Bhante Surai Sasai and Bhau Lokhande. B. R. Ambedkar was an ideal to him. According to his son, Bhat was an atheist.<ref name="firstpost.com" />
Bhat died of cardiac arrest on 14 March 2003, at the aged of 70.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite news |date=2003-03-15 |title=Popular gazal writer Suresh Bhat expires |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Popular-gazal-writer-Suresh-Bhat-expires/articleshow/40352384.cms |access-date=2026-05-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He is survived by his son, Chittranjan Bhat, and daughter.<ref name="firstpost.com" />
==Works== Bhat published his first collection of poems, ''Roopgandha'' in 1961. In 1974, he published his second collection, ''Ranga maazhaa wegalaa'', and in 1983 he self-published a collection named ''Elgaar''. Other collections of his poems include ''Zanjhaavaat'' and ''Saptaranga.''
''Roopgandha'' and ''Ranga maazhaa wegalaa'' were the recipients of the state literary awards sponsored by the Government of Maharashtra in their respective years of publication.<ref name="TOI" />
Poet Pradeep Niphadkar and ghazal writer Ilahi Jamadar were his students in Pune.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Niphadkar |first1=Pradeep |title=अबोल, मिश्किल इलाही |url=https://www.lokmat.com/manthan/ghazalkar-ilahi-jamadar-a296/ |access-date=27 March 2021 |work=Lokmat |date=7 February 2021 |language=mr-IN}}</ref>
His song on B. R. Ambedkar, "Bhimraya Ghe Tuzya Ya Lekranchi Vandana" (Father Ambedkar, take these offerings from your children) was popular in the Dalit and Ambedkarist communities in Maharashtra.<ref name="firstpost.com"/>
Bhat's poems are generally classified as Marathi ghazals.<ref name="firstpost.com" />
Bhat's best-known verses gained popularity after they were set to music by Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and were sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.<ref name="TOI"/>
Bhat's poem 'Maayboli' was composed by music director Kaushal Inamdar as "Marathi Abhimaangeet", featuring more than 450 singers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Athavale |first=Ashlesha |date=February 24, 2010 |title=India's '˜biggest song' set to strike a chord in the hearts of Maharashtrians |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/indias-biggest-song-set-to-strike-a-chord-in-the-hearts-of-maharashtrians/articleshow/15995270.html |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}</ref>
===List of poetry collections=== {{unreferenced section|date= September 2022}} * ''Roopgandha'' * ''Ranga maazhaa vegalaa'' * ''Elgaar'' * ''Zanjhaavaat'' * ''Saptaranga'' * ''Rasvanticha Mujara'' * ''Kaflaa''
==References== <references/>
==External links== *[http://www.sureshbhat.in Website dedicated to Suresh Bhat and Marathi ghazals (in Marathi)] *[http://www.sureshbhat.in/node/163 Interview with Suresh Bhat (in Marathi)] *[https://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books?AID=4896455013899195489 List of books at BookGanga]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhat, Suresh}} Category:Marathi-language poets Category:Writers from Nagpur Category:1932 births Category:2003 deaths Category:20th-century Indian poets Category:20th-century Indian Buddhists Category:21st-century Indian Buddhists Category:Converts to Buddhism from Hinduism Category:Navayana Buddhists Category:Indian male poets Category:Poets from Maharashtra Category:20th-century Indian male writers