Surve's sharp poetry struck an instant chord

Narayan Surve, who passed away in a Thane hospital on Monday, August 16, after a prolonged illness, will long be remembered for transforming the post-1960 Marathi literary scene with his acid-laced poems.

Surve's debut work, a collection of poems titled Aisa Gaa Me Brahma (1962), is considered a milestone in Indian literature. The self-taught poet, who grew up on the streets of Mumbai and was subsequently adopted by a mill worker, chronicled the life of the city's plebeians-their arduous struggle to eke out a living in a fast-paced, industrialized society, their fears and fantasies, travails and triumphs.

Taking on the prima donnas of Marathi literature, Surve wrote, "I am a labourer, a blazing sword. I wish to commit an offence.'' The rebel poet struck an instant rapport with readers, who loved his stark images and his colloquial, robust Marathi which was reminiscent of legendary saint-poets Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram.

Full report here Times of India