This article delves into the legacy of R.C. Dhere, explores his most influential works, and discusses the importance of his scholarship in the digital age. Born in 1910 in the Pune district, R.C. Dhere spent his life peeling back the layers of Maharashtra's history. Unlike many historians of his time who focused primarily on elite narratives, political treaties, and dynastic wars, Dhere turned his gaze downward—to the soil, the villages, and the common people.
He was a pioneer in the field of Lok Sahitya (folk literature) and Lok Sanskriti (folk culture). His work challenged established narratives, often blurring the lines between mainstream Brahmanical Hinduism and the traditions of the masses. He wrote extensively on the evolution of gods and goddesses, tracing how local folk deities were assimilated into the greater Hindu pantheon. r c dhere books pdf
In this book, Dhere explores the origins of the Varkari sect and the worship of Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur. For centuries, the identity of Vitthal remained shrouded in mystery. Was he a Jain deity? Was he a form of Vishnu? Or was he a hero-stone memorialized as a god? This article delves into the legacy of R