Khadhilkar Pandurang Dattatray was born in December 1903 in the village of Ugar Khurd, within the former Sangli kingdom. His early years saw him residing in Dodwad near Dharwad, Karnataka and later in Sambre near Veergavan due to his father's job. By 1910, his family had moved to Sangli, where he continued his education at Sangli High School until 1921. During his schooling, he cultivated skills in elocution, singing, swimming, cricket, football, and indigenous exercises.
Tragedy struck early with the loss of his mother in Miraj in 1910, followed by his father's demise from plague in Sangli in 1916. Undeterred, he pursued his undergraduate studies at Willingdon College from 1921 to 1925. In 1926, he gained admission to the esteemed National School, where he began exploring his talents in writing and singing powadas. Alongside his artistic endeavours, he became increasingly involved in the national movement, dedicating himself to the cause of freedom. From 1926 to 1942, he actively participated in Congress activities, delivering lectures, kirtans (devotional songs) and powadas to inspire patriotism among the youth.
His commitment to the cause led to consequences, including a one-year hard labour sentence in Yerwada jail in 1920 for his involvement in the freedom movement. Between 1932 and 1936, he faced constant surveillance from the British government, ing him to relocate to Ahmedabad to avoid investigation. Despite the challenges, he continued his activism, even serving as the Principal of Nandurbar Municipal High School from 1937 to 1939.
Khadhilkar Pandurang Dattatray passed away in 1988.
Name mentioned in Gazetteer Government of Maharashtra.
Source: Vijay Balasaheb Pawbake, Contributor for CCRT