RC Dhere, one of the great chroniclers and scholars of folk tradition, has left us a prolific amount of output detailing almost every aspect of the folk, bhakti and paurāṇika traditions of Maharashtra and beyond. Given the vast sweep and importance of his seminal work, it is imperative that his work be known and read by anyone interested in the religious-cultural history of this country. So far only two of his works have been translated into English: The Lajjagauri and Anandanayaki by Jayant Bapat, and Rise of a Folk God: Vitthal of Pandharpur by Anne Feldhaus.

Tattva Heritage Foundation is interested in getting more of his classic works translated into English and other Indian languages. Translating such works has become important because the real richness and diversity of what we call Hinduism is only fully visible once we document our religious traditions and culture at the level of village, regions and states. Moreover, our academia no longer produces scholars of the level and stature of R.C. Dhere, so the least we can do is propagate his memory by disseminating his scholarship and writings for posterity.   

As part of this process, we have commissioned an English translation of R.C. Dhere’s pioneering work Muslim Marathi Sant Kavi (Muslim Marathi Saint Poets). This book is about the life and times of numerous Vaishnava Bhakti saints of medieval Maharashtra who came from Muslim backgrounds. The translation will be undertaken by Dr Shubhangana Atre, formerly at Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune.

We are also in the process of commissioning an English translation of two more books by R.C. Dhere – Nath Sampradayacha Ithihas (History of Natha Tradition) and Loka Daivatanche Vishwa (The journey & transition of various popular folk gods, goddesses, & deities). if any scholars with a flair for translation are interested in this project, then please reach out to us.