Sudhir Joglekar is like a songbird—unseen by many but heard by all. A quiet yet deeply influential presence in the world of books and literature, he has spent a lifetime reading, writing, and fostering a love for the written word. Recently, his latest book, The Krishna Chronicles, a captivating tale for adolescents on the life of Shri Krishna, was launched to an overwhelming response. The event drew a diverse audience, a testament to the many lives he has touched through his work.
A passionate storyteller, Sudhir Joglekar’s literary journey is rooted in a childhood shaped by rich experiences and an inspiring lineage. His father, who served in the army and later the Border Security Force, ensured that Sudhir’s early education took place across various locations, from Barshi to Secunderabad and finally Belagavi. During his formative high school years, he stayed with his maternal grandparents in Barshi. His grandfather, a close associate of Swatantryaveer Savarkar and President of Maharashtra’s Hindu Mahasabha, played a pivotal role in rehabilitating women who had suffered at the hands of the Razakars. In his extensive library, young Sudhir was introduced to the writings of Savarkar, particularly his views on caste eradication and scientific thought, along with works by R.D. Karwe and Durga Bhagwat. His maternal uncle, a progressive farmer, converted his vast land into social forestry and an ashram, where Vedic studies thrived. These influences left a profound impact on his worldview.
A deep engagement with intellectual thought marked his college years. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda and A.J. Cronin’s Citadel, he gravitated toward a circle of idealistic friends at GSS College, including Shivu Patil and Dilip Kamat. In 1969, a letter he wrote to Maharashtra Times calling for youth-driven social change was published, leading him to connect with like-minded individuals such as Husain Jamadar, Kumar Saptarshi, and Anil Avachat. Drawn to the idea of a self-sustaining commune, he and his friends initially aspired to establish a rural farm inspired by Tolstoy’s philosophy. Dilip Kamat trained at Baba Amte’s ashram, while Sudhir trained in dairy farming at Vishwaneedam, a Sarvodaya-led initiative on land donated by Jamnalal Bajaj.
Academically, he completed his schooling at Beynon Smith, pursued his PUC at GSS College, and secured admission at Karnatak Medical College, Hubli. However, the early 1970s brought a turning point. JP Narayan’s movement for social change was at its peak, and Sudhir found himself dropping out of medical school and pursuing his passion of social work. He also worked in Mumbai in the Engineering Mazdoor Union. Recognizing the immense need for resources in the social reform field, he and his friends pivoted towards publishing instead. Later when he shifted to Belagavi, he was very active in taking up the cause of the weaver community in Khasbag and Vadgaon area and also went to Jail for this.
This decision to shift focus led to his deep involvement in the printing industry. He co-founded a well-known press in Belagavi, managing it for a decade before starting his own press, which he ran alongside his wife. It was then that he started working in the Adivasi belt of Shahada while his wife managed the press. When his children showed no interest in continuing the business, he decided to move on, seeking new avenues of expression for the love of books. His foray into writing mythology stemmed from interactions on the Goodreads platform, where he noticed that while Indians were well-versed in Western and Greek classics, their mythological heritage remained relatively unexplored. Determined to bridge this gap, he turned to authoritative sources like Kisari Mohan Ganguli’s The Mahabharata, the Critical Edition by the Bhandarkar Institute, and Pt. S.D. Satawlekar’s Hindi translations. His work underwent meticulous beta testing by professionals who volunteered their expertise.
The “world edition” of Pandav Princes [with modified names] was published in Jan 2020, The Krishna Chronicles in October 2020 and the version for Indian readers is being published now in 2025. Originally intended to simplify Indian epics for Western readers, the books received an overwhelming response, particularly through Amazon. This success encouraged him to adapt them for Indian adolescents, ensuring they could engage with the Mahabharata in an accessible and compelling way. The book – Adventures of the Pandav princes tells a compelling story of each of the five Pandavas in a lucid style, easy to understand by young readers. The Krishna Chronicles is again a conversation style book meant to simplify the complex life of Lord Krishna. Both the books begin with explaining the lineage of the Kuru and the Yadava dynasties, making it easy to connect the dots as we read.
Meanwhile, he also delved into the genre of short stories with his Marathi anthology- Katha Saptak which is a stunning piece of literature.
The journey doesn’t end here—his next book, Kings of Yore, a prequel exploring the ancestors of the Pandavas, is set for release in six months. These books are essential reading for young minds eager to grasp the depth of Indian mythology. With his unwavering dedication to storytelling, Sudhir Joglekar continues to illuminate the path to India’s rich literary and mythological heritage. He has completed a course in film appreciation conducted by the Film Institute, Pune and plays a small part in promoting classic movies, first through Ajanta Film Society as its treasurer and now through Chitralok organized by the Lokmanya Granthalaya.
R.C. Joglekar has published these books for Omega Publications, Belagavi and are available in bookshops in Dharwad, Panaji, Pune and Mumbai.
You can get these books in Belagavi from the author by connecting with him on 9886203256
Great! Shri. Sudhir Jogalekar’s written work is known only to a few persons. His articles about films get published regularly. The book release ceremony was a grand success. His journey as a person and also as a writer is well elaborated. I congratulate you for this.