Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi


Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi C.B.E, popularly known as Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi or Bhawanrao Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi, was the ruler of the princely state of Aundh of British Raj during the reign.
He is known for inventing the exercise sequence of Surya Namaskar, Salute to the Sun, now incorporated into modern yoga as exercise.

Life

Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao was born to Meherban Shrimant Shriniwasrao Parashuram "Anna Sahib" on 24 October 1868. He studied at Satara High School and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Deccan College of University of Bombay in Pune. He succeeded the Aundh State as the Raja on 4 November 1909. Although Balasaheb was not a scholar, he was avid reader and his Sanskrit was tolerably good. He worked as Chief Secretary to his father from 1895-1901 in order to learn the Administration of the State. He was a man of letters, an accomplished painter, and an erudite musical kirtankar. He presided over Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Indore in 1935. He also served as the founding President of the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha.
In the 1920s, he popularised the flowing sequences of salute to the sun, Surya Namaskar, containing popular asanas such as Uttanasana and upward and downward dog poses, helping to shape yoga as exercise.

Family

His second son Appa Sahib Pant served as Indian ambassador in many countries. The Government of India honoured him in 1954, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his contributions to the society, placing him among the first recipients of the award.

Awards