2013 is the centenary year of M.M.Kelkar who ran single-handedly a Marathi literary magazine Vangmayshobha for 55 years non-stop. Kirloskar  came before Vangmayshobha and Hans and Vasant around the same time. Even then Vangmayshobha  has carved out a special place in the literary world. Kelkar started the publishing business in 1937 under the name of Manohar Granthmala, and Vangmayshobha  was launchad in 1939. In initial years, the Kelkar family contributed a great deal to the magazine—his uncle N.C.Kelkar, Prof. D.K.Kelkar and mother Geerijabai Kelkar. Many other literary giants joined these family members and enriched the journey of Vangmayshobha. In the initial years, it had N.C.Phadke, S.M. Mate, G.B. Nirantar, V.M. Joshi. Later V.S. Khandekar and P.D. Bhave too contributed. S. N. Navre, S. G. Malashe, Vasundhara Patwardhan, Madhu Mangesh Karnik, Sadanand Rege too contributed. G. A. Kulkarni too wrote for it. Vangmayshobha  published several genres of literature—debates, discussions, interviews, political write-ups, fiction, book reviews, short stories, novels, poetry, women’s issues etc. Kelkar published Lokmanya Tilak’s article defining Hindutva from Chitramayjagat  and N. C. Kelkar’s 1902 article on Israel in Vangmayashobha in 1948. Reprints of a great heritage, Kelkar invited many thinkers to write about socio-political issues. Its poetry section was enriched by Kavi Yashvant, Sopandev, Vinda Karandikar, Mangesh Padgaonkar and Dutta Halsagikar. Manmohan Natu’s Radha Tujha Sail Ambada  poem charmed everyone.

Kaksparsha, which was adopted to a movie, was published in Vangmayshobha. The writer of this story is Usha Datar. Between 1956 and 1964, Kelkar paid honorarium to the authors according to his capacity. To Kelkar, Vangmayshobha  was a sort of laboratory to create literature.

Kelkar avoided erotica and police investigation stories. He was very careful about proof reading. Kelkar’s autobiography Swabhavala Aushadh Nahi Ani Deva Pundhe Gati Nahi  was liked by the readers.

Kelkar edited Vangmayshobha  till 1992. When he started, he was 26. When he left, he was 79. In 1980s and 1990s, DD and movies competed with magazines to attract the audience, but Kelkar survived against these rivals. He roped in many cartoonists. He allowed artists like Dalal and Mulgaonkar to showcase their talents. Vangmayashobha’s covers were designed by artists like Padma Sahastrubuddhe, Vasant Sahastrabuddhe and Ashok Dombare.

Vangmayshobha created a virtual literary  treasure in 55 years of its existence. Kelkar wanted to publish select issues for the benefit of the readers but his wish never got fulfilled. He assigned the editorial responsibility to his younger son in 1992. In the changed circumstances, he published the last obituary issue on the death of Kelkar ( 5th Nov1994 ). Thereafter, Vangmayashobha was closed down. The surviving family members of Kelkar have digitised all the volumes of Vansmayshobha  between 1939 and 1992. They are available on bookganga.com. This is a real tribute to M. M, Kelkar.