A pictorial book on Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji containing 100 paintings by a local tribal artist, will be released in the British Parliament House on the May Day this year, according to the publishers.
Udveli Books, who brought out the volume 'Shivaji the Real Hero', in association with Shri Maharaj Seva Pratishtan and Shri Maharaj Group of Companies, said it will be launched in London at the Winston Churchill Hall on May 1.
The first book from the triology on the great Maratha ruler, which is set to be released that day will contain 100 paintings by artist Brijesh Mogre from Palghar here.
Mogre (38) has been painting these pictures since the last 18 years and is proud to have his work published for a global audience.
Talking to newsmen, publisher Vivek Mehetre said the aim of bringing out such a book was to spread the valour and greatness of the legendary Hindu king in the West in a form that they love most.
The book will be available in e-form and will be sold by popular sites like Amazon.Com and Flipkart, he claimed.
The two other volumes of the book would be brought out in gap of six months and would be published in Israel and America respectively. It has been priced as low as three pounds. In India when it is subsequently released, it will cost around Rs 250.
"It is a matter of honour for all Indians that this historical book would be released in the Britsh Parliament House. Shivaji's life was full of adventures. We want to show the world that he was a real hero who fought against Mughals, unlike fictional characters such as Superman, Batman or Phantom," Mehetre said.
Great historian Babasaheb Purandare, who is said to be an authority on Shivaji Maharaj, has written the foreword to the book and had guided publishers from time to time.
He will be present on the occasion of the book launch.
Also Sadashiv Gorakshakar, the former curator of the Prince of Wales Museum, has contributed the text to each of the pictures, painted by Mogre.
