Atmaram Ravaji Deshpande

He was married to Kusum Jayawant in 1929; she took the name Kusumavati Deshpande and was also a Marathi writer. Deshpande introduced free style --Muktachhand -- poetry to Marathi literature. He also introduced in Marathi Dashapadi, a new genre of sonnets comprising ten lines. His collection of poems with the same name Dashapadi received a Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977. He was elected for Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 1979. He presided over Marathi Sahitya Sammelan at Malvan in 1958. Deshpande won several international honors. He was a member of the committee of literacy experts of UNESCO. He was leader of Indian delegation of literary experts to USSR. He was awarded UNESCO fellowship for studying social education schemes in various countries. A collection of letters between Deshpande and his wife was published under the title Kusumanil in 1976.

• Name — Atmaram Raoji Deshpande • Pen Name — Kavi Anil • Born — 11 September 1901 • Birthplace — Murtijapur, Akola district, Berar Province • Died — 8 May 1982 • Language — Marathi • Movement — free style -Muktachhand (मुक्तछंद) - poetry to Marathi literature • Spouse — Kusumavati Deshpande, Marathi Writer • Occupation — Marathi Poet • Awards — Sahitya Akademi Award, 1977 Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 1979

The following are the titles of collections of Deshpande's poems: • Phulwat (फुलवात) (1932) • Bhagnamoorti (भग्नमूर्ति) (1940) • Nirwasit Chini Mulas (निर्वासित चिनी मुलास) (1943) • Perte Vha (पेर्ते व्हा) (1947) • Sangati (सांगाती) (1961) • Dashapadi (दशपदी) (1976)