India, Sept. 10 -- On June 16, 1937, the sixth death anniversary of Achyut Balwant Kolhatkar, the versatile litterateur and popular journalist, was commemorated at the Central Talkies in Pune. NV Gadgil, freedom fighter and Congress leader, presided over the gathering. In recalling Kolhatkar's journalism and his independent political outlook, Gadgil also spoke of his deep patriotism.

By then, the Congress had established the practice of observing various national days. But this had not been the case in Kolhatkar's time. Gadgil made a particular point of mentioning that Kolhatkar had used traditional festivals such as Ram Navami and Krishnashtami as occasions for political awakening.

On Krishnashtami, Kolhatkar would visit temples where ...