Sage of the Forest: Maruti Chitampalli added one lakh words in Marathi dictionary

Mumbai: Over years he traversed more than three lakh kilometres documenting flora and fauna, writing books in nature and added one lakh words to the Marathi dictionary.

With a long flowing beard, he was fondly known as ‘Aranya Rishi’ (Sage of the Forest).

Maruti Kaka was a guru and guide to many and is admired by all across Maharashtra and outside the state.

The naturalist, wildlife conservationist and writer taught Maharashtra how to read jungles.

Chitampalli (November 5, 1932 - 19 June 2025) was proficient in 13 languages.

Chitampalli, aged 93, passed away in his hometown in the Solapur district of Maharashtra on Wednesday leaving behind a rich legacy.

Less than a month ago, on April 28, President Droupadi Murmu conferred Chitampalli, the Padma Shri for his contribution in the field of literature and education.

In fact, the Maharashtra government celebrates Bird Week between 5-12 November every year. These dates are chosen as November 5 marks Chitampalli's birthday and November 12 is the birth anniversary of the legendary conservationist and ornithologist, late Dr Salim Ali.

Before the 2023 Bird Week celebrations, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Director Kishor Rithe drove to Solapur and told Chitampalli and told him about the correspondences with Dr Ali. “When I told him about the letter, he recalled writing the letter. He was touched to receive the copy of the letter that he wrote to Salim Ali,” said Rithe. Rithe was accompanied by Dr Vyankatesh Metan, an orthopaedic surgeon and conservationist from Solapur.

In October 2020, Chitampalli shifted from Nagpur to his hometown in Solapur because of age related issues. "I roamed in Vidarbha’s rich jungles…I met Adivasis, who speak various languages…..I have learnt one lakh words….I go richer from here…these words that I learnt are very expressive,” he said during the emotional farewell in Nagpur.

Many of the words from the languages of the tribes of Madia, Korku, and Adivasis in Vidarbha's zadipatti forest areas are now part of the Marathi language.

Chitampalli had written books like Ratawa, Ranvata, Pranikosh, Pakshikosh, Mrugpakshishastra, Shabdanche Dhan, and Jangalache Dene.

In recognition of his literary contributions, he presided over the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan at Solapur in 2006 - a rare distinction for a wildlifer-forester.

Chitampalli completed schooling T M Pore School and Northcote Technical High School followed by higher secondary at Dayanand College in Solapur. He then enrolled himself in State Forest Service College in Coimbatore in 1958. Thereafter, he joined the forest services in Maharashtra in 1960 from where he had retired as Deputy Chief Conservator of Forest in 1990.

Chitampalli significantly contributed to the development of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Navegaon National Park, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, and Melghat Tiger Reserve. He also facilitated the creation of orphanages for displaced wildlife at Nagzira and Melghat.

He learnt writing skills from renowned Marathi writer Gopal Nilkanth Dandekar aka Appa Dandekar.

“Chitampalli Sir lived the role of a monk. Chitampally Sir, who knew 13 languages , expressed many of the wonders of nature in words. He put into words the knowledge possessed by the tribals. He told the world the language of birds,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, condemning the death of Chitampalli.