Chandrakant Mandare was an illustrious artist as well as a Marathi actor. He had devoted his life in the field of art through painting and film. He is reckoned as a master in paintings and powder shading. He was also regarded a superstar of Marathi cinema for over 50 years. His creations made him one of the most acclaimed Indian painters.
Chandrakant Mandare was born in 1913 in Maharashtra. Mandare had always attempted to portray nature, his favourite theme. Natural scenery in and around Kolhapur was the subject matter of his paintings. To him, natural beauty of his country was a key source of inspiration. Chandrakant Mandare had travelled extensively throughout the world. As a painter he had participated in many Painting Exhibitions, which were held in Kolhapur, Mumbai, Belgaum, Aurangabad, Satara, Madras, Miraj, Nipani, Ichalkaranji, Kankawali, Solapur, Karad and also in USA, London, France. In 1997, he had established the `Chandrakant Mandare Kala Academy`. He had donated all his creations to the State Government of Maharashtra (India). His paintings adorn the walls of the academy.
Apart from being a celebrated painter, this multifaceted personality was a famed name in Marathi Films. He had made his debut with the film ` Sawakari Pash `. Chandrakant Mandare has worked in more than 100 English, Hindi and Marathi cinemas. He has portrayed varied roles of a lead actor, negative hero and character artist. He had also earned National Award for his films. As recognition, this true artist was conferred accolades like-- D. Litt. (Doctor of Letters) by Shivaji University Kolhapur in 2000; Rajmata Jijausaheb Manvandana Samiti Award in 2000; Jagtik Marathi Parishad Mumbai, Award in 1989; Fye Foundation Award in 1990; Chhatripati Shahu Award in 1994; V. Shantaram Award in 1994; Akhil Bhratiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandla Chitra Bhushan Award in 1998; Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Pune in 1997; Bhalaji Pendharkar Sansukrutik Kendra Mumbai Award in 1998; Lokmanya Tilak Smrak Trust Late. Barrister V.V. Oak Award. Chandrakant Mandare died in 2001 at the age of 88. But he is still alive through his paintings and performances, remembered by thousands of his admirers.
