About Prof. Shriram Pujari

Towards Education

In 1934, a young man arrived in Pune with merely nine rupees, determined to pursue education. Battling malaria, taking meals at different households on fixed weekday arrangements, and fighting against every adversity, he completed his education. Inspired by intellectuals such as Senapati Bapat, Sevanand Kanitkar, and Poet Girish, he declined high-paying job offers, embraced the teaching profession, and throughout his life donated at least 10% of his income for needy students. This dedicated, art-loving, and universally friendly teacher was — "Prof. Shriram Shankar Pujari" His personality was continually enriched through the association of eminent literary figures such as Poet Girish, Mahakavi D. R. Bendre, Datto Vaman Potdar, Poet Yashwant, Indira Sant, Vinda Karandikar, Mangesh Padgaonkar, and Vasant Bapat; music luminaries such as Pt. Kumar Gandharva, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Vidushi Kishori Amonkar, Vidushi Hirabai Barodekar, Vidushi Gangubai Hangal, Vasantrao Deshpande, Pt. Jasraj, and Pt. Ravi Shankar; and great personalities such as P. L. Deshpande, Ranjit Desai, Tarkateertha Laxmanshashtri Joshi, & Anant Kanekar.

With Late Mrs. Pujari

Music was his very breath, and he would say —

"Pt. Kumar Gandharva and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi are my two eyes."

Pratishthan Establishment

On 5th July 1975, to celebrate Prof. Pujari's 50th year, his friends and students organised a 3 day festival of literature, art, and music in Solapur — featuring musical concerts by Pt. Kumar Gandharva, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, and Pt. Jasraj, and a 'Triveni' poetry recitation by Vinda Karandikar, Mangesh Padgaonkar, and Vasant Bapat. Inspired by this celebration, the Shriram Pujari Pratishthan was established under the chairmanship of Seth Lalchand Hirachand Shah and inaugurated by Tarkateertha Laxmanshashtri Joshi.

Mahakavi D. R. Bendre made the first contribution to the fund, followed by generous donations from students & friends. Prof. Pujari himself began a daily contribution of ₹1, later revised to ₹10 per day from 2000 onwards. Additional funds were raised through concerts by the same maestros and premiere shows of Marathi films "Umbarthaa" and "Ek Hota Vidushak" directed by Dr. Jabbar Patel, graced by the presence of Smita Patil & Lakshmikant Berde.

The Pratishthan's founding vision was unwavering — to ensure no deserving student is denied education due to financial hardship. That vision stands fulfilled today, as many of those very students now donate, participate actively, and serve as trustees — continuing this legacy forward. This, truly, is the Pratishthan's greatest achievement.

Presidents of Pratishthan

1980 - 1991 : Late Pt. Kumar Gandharva, Devas
1991 - 2011 : Late Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pune
2011 - 2023 : Justice Uday Lalit
2023 - present : Dr. Prakash Joshi, Solapur

Meet Our
Trustee

Dr. Prakash Joshi — President, Solapur
Dr. Navneet Toshneewal — Working Director, Solapur
Dr. Kiran Joshi — Treasurer, Solapur
Ms. Lalita Datar — Secretary, Solapur
Dr. Shrikant Kamatkar — Trustee, Solapur
Dr. Vidyadhar Borade — Trustee, Solapur
Prof. Keshav Shinde — Trustee, Solapur
Prof. Pramod Vaidya — Trustee, Solapur
Shri. Prithviraj Bias — Trustee, Pune
Dr. Madhusudan Khaladkar — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Atul Panchwadkar — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Satish Joshi — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Sanjay Joshi — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Utsav Joshi — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Shekhar Godbole — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Ram Kolhatkar — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Anil Nandedkar — Trustee, Pune
Ms. Meera Kulkarni — Trustee, Pune
Mrs. Subhada Yogesh Pathak — Trustee, Pune
Shri. Prafula Khanolkar — Trustee, Mumbai
Shri. Vikram Kulkarni — Trustee, Pune
Dr. Siddeshwar Rudrakshi — Trustee, Solapur
Shri. Dilip Shete — Trustee, Solapur
Mrs. Manjusha Gadgil — Trustee, Solapur
Shri. Sham Yemul — Trustee, Solapur

Our Goals

To provide scholarships, financial assistance, free medical treatment, and free or subsidized accommodation to economically challenged and deserving students.
To preserve and promote classical music, poetry, and literature by creating platforms for their wider appreciation and reach in society.
To encourage and financially support promising artists in theatre, music, and other arts, and to make resources available for arts education.
To provide financial assistance during difficult times to teachers engaged in the sacred work of imparting education, and to social workers who selflessly strive for the welfare of society.
To organize gatherings, seminars, lectures, exhibitions, and initiatives that actively contribute to the field of education.