Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t73: Govind Purushottam Deshpande
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t73
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Govind Purushottam Deshpande
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Govind Purushottam Deshpande (August 2, 1938 – October 16, 2013), known as GPD to his peers and students, was born into a family based in Rahimatpur, western Maharashtra, active in Indian freedom struggle and ideologically inclined towards socialism. Endowed with versatile intellectual credentials as an expert in the international politics as well as a playwright, GPD was an eminent scholar of Chinese Foreign Policy and Chinese Politics and contributed immensely towards a better understanding of China in the Indian academia.
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In his early college years, Deshpande was trained in History and Sanskrit; later, he went on to study Chinese language in Hong Kong and acquired a doctoral degree in Chinese Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He later taught China Studies in the Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, for more than three decades till he retired in 2004. During this period he had supervised M. Phil. and PhD research of many scholars; he was Chairperson of Centre for East Asian Studies and Dean of School of International Studies for several terms. GPD was a founder member of China Study Group in 1969, which went on to become independent institute of repute, the Institute of Chinese Studies. He was an Honourary Fellow and later became the Honourary Director of Institute of Chinese Studies in 2001-02. He was associated with the journal *‘China Report’* for many decades in various capacities such as Member, Editorial Board, and was the Editor of the journal for the period 2003-05. GPD was also a Founder Editor of *‘Journal of Arts and Ideas’*, and Editor-in-Chief of *‘International Studies’*, the journal of School of International Studies, JNU, for the period 1997-1999.
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In the field of China’s domestic politics and international relations, Deshpande was known for his brilliant multi-disciplinary approach and discursive framework. His major published works include ‘*China’s Cultural Revolution: A View from India*’ (1971), ‘*United Front against Imperialism: A study of China’s Foreign Policy in Africa*’ (Co-author), and ‘*Crossing a Bridge of Dreams: Fifty years of India and China*’ (as a co-editor in 2001).
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G. P. Deshpande
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Deshpande was also an eminent Marathi playwright whose contribution to the Indian theatre was best exemplified by his introduction of what can be called the “discussion play” to theatre audiences. He created a modernist theatre, which explored the ways in which politics permeates our life, and in turn shapes it. His representative plays included ‘*Uddhwasta Dharmashala*’, ‘*Chanakya Vishnugupta, Andhar Yatra, Raste*’, and ‘*Satyashodhak*’. He was honoured with ‘Sangeet Natak Akademy’ (National Academy of Drama and Music) award for best playwright in 1997.
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(*Sabaree Mitra*)