Rang Avadhoot

Rang Avadhoot was born Pandurang Vitthalapant Valame on 21 November 1898 (Kartika Sud 9 according to Hindu calendar) in Godhra in a Marathi family of Vitthalpant Jairam Valame and Rukmini (née Kashi).

[2][3][4] His family belonged to Devle village (now in Sangameshwar taluka of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra).

Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, he postponed his studies in order to participate in the non-cooperation movement in 1920.

After spending some time in Ranapur, in December 1925, he moved to Nareshwar on the bank of Narmada River.

In 1936, when his younger brother died, his mother moved to Nareshwar and lived there till her death in 1967.

[4] He died on 19 November 1968 (Kartika Vad 30) at Haridwar (now in Uttarakhand, India) on the bank of the Ganga River.

He played an important role in spreading Datta-panth (path of Dattatreya) in Gujarat, India.

[2][3][4] Rang Avadhoot was fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, English and Sanskrit.

[2] Under the pen name of Ganjeri, he started writing columns on contemporary issues in dailies.

Sadbodhshatakam-Balbodhini (1924) is a commentary on shlokas (verses) selected by Kaka Kalelkar from Bhartṛhari's Śatakatraya and dedicated to the students.

His other works during this period include Rentiyanu Rahasya, Swaraj-Kirtan, Ahinsa Etle Shu?, columns published under title of Bhangno Loto.