P. Savalaram, born Nivruttinath Raoji Patil, stands as a monumental figure in the history of Marathi music and literature. Over a career spanning three decades, he etched his name into the hearts of millions through his emotional lyrics, transitioning from a humble rural background to becoming one of the most celebrated lyricists, social workers, and educators in Maharashtra.

Nivruttinath was born on July 4, 1914, in his maternal home of Gotkhindi, located in the Sangli district. His biological parents, Abaji Patil and Bhagirathibai, originally hailed from Vidarbha but had settled in Yedenipani in Sangali district. Nivruttinath was the eldest of nine siblings—seven brothers and two sisters.

A significant turn in his childhood occurred in 1920 when, at the age of six, he was adopted by his uncle, Raoji, leading to his name becoming Nivruttinath Raoji Patil. Although Raoji passed away shortly after the adoption and Nivruttinath continued to be raised by his biological parents in a modest financial environment.

The most profound influence on his poetic sensibilities was his mother, Bhagirathibai. Despite having little formal education, she possessed a natural gift for composing Ovis, Bharuds, and Abhangs. Whether she was performing household work, working in the fields, or preparing for festivals, she was always singing her own compositions. It was from these rhythmic folk verses that the seeds of poetry were planted in young Nivruttinath’s mind.

Nivruttinath’s education was a testament to his perseverance against poverty. He completed his primary schooling in Gotkhindi, where he consistently ranked first in his class. For his secondary education, he moved to Tasgaon High School, where he met Vitthal Sakharam Page. This friendship introduced him to the "Dattatraya Mandal," fostering an interest in physical exercise, spirituality, and literature.

It was Vitthal Page who gave him the nickname "Savlya," inspired by a character in H. N. Apte’s novel Ushakkal. This name resonated deeply with him. However, financial hardships forced him to take a one-year break after the fifth grade while his father saved money for his further studies. He eventually resumed his schooling in Satara and later at Rajaram High School in Kolhapur, successfully passing his Matriculation in 1935.

To fund his college education, he worked as a teacher at Prince Shivaji Vidyalaya from 1935 to 1937, while also supporting his younger brother Sitaram’s education. In 1937, he enrolled in Rajaram College, Kolhapur, where he came under the mentorship of legendary figures like Prof. N. S. Phadke and Prof. Madhavrao Patwardhan (Madhav Julian). He considered Madhav Julian his Guru, who provided critical direction to his poetic talent.

While publishing his poems in the college magazine Rajaramian, he decided to adopt the pen name "Savalaram," based on his childhood nickname, and added the "P" from his surname Patil, thus creating the legendary identity P. Savalaram. His poem "Kala Gulab" (Black Rose), which argued that beauty lies within rather than in complexion, brought him his first wave of fame during his college years. He graduated with a B.A. in 1943.

On May 7, 1943, P. Savalaram married Krishna, the sister of his friend Vinayak Jadhav; her name was later changed to Sunanda. Due to growing family responsibilities, he had to abandon his B.T. (Bachelor of Teaching) studies in Belgaum in 1944. Seeking better opportunities, he moved his family to Thane in late 1944, where he secured a job in the Ration Office in Kurla.

His career as a lyricist began to flourish in Thane when he met the composer Vasant Prabhu. In 1948, the duo made a successful debut with songs like "Raghu Bole Mainechya Kanat G". However, it was the 1949 song "Ganga-Jamuna Dolyaant Ubhya Ka?" that catapulted him to stardom. The song's opening lines were inspired by a real-life moment Savalaram witnessed at Pune railway station—a mother’s spontaneous words while bidding farewell to her daughter. This song became a household favorite across Maharashtra and established the iconic trio of P. Savalaram (lyricist), Vasant Prabhu (composer), and Lata Mangeshkar (singer). Following this success, he resigned from his government job to become a full-time writer.

From 1950 to 1980, P. Savalaram’s career reached its zenith. He wrote approximately 200 songs for 52 films, starting with the silver jubilee hit Ramram Pahuna. His collaborations with directors Dinkar Patil and Madhav Shinde were particularly fruitful.

Beyond films, he was a master of non-film devotional and emotional music (Sugam Sangeet), composing over 125 works, including 74 Bhavgeet, 17 Bhaktigeet, 12 Gavlan and 18 loksagit

Some of his immortal creations include "Jithe Sagara Dharani Milte," "Vithala Samcharan Tuje Dharito," "Lek Ladki Ya Gharchi," and "Rimjhim Rimjhim Paus Pade". His words were frequently brought to life by the voices of the Mangeshkar family, particularly Lata and Asha.

Savalaram also contributed to literature through five film stories and the production of the film Nandayla Jate. For All India Radio (Akashvani), he wrote 14 folk plays (Loknatya), 6 short plays, and 2 musicals. His deep connection to the folk arts led to his unanimous election as the President of the fourth Tamasha Parishad in 1963.

P. Savalaram was not just a man of words but also a man of action. In 1962, he entered politics as an independent candidate and was elected to the Thane Municipal Council. He served as the Chairman of the Education Committee (1963), Vice President (1965), and finally, on June 30, 1966, he became the Nagradhyaksha (President) of Thane. Though his tenure as President lasted only one year, he was known for his integrity and for resolving several long-standing issues in the city.

His contribution to education was equally significant. He played a pivotal role in establishing Bedekar Vidyalaya, the first college in Thane, by helping secure land at a nominal rent. He was also a founding member and long-time Vice President of Dnyansadhana College and contributed to the establishment of Kelkar College in Mulund.

After his last film Bhalu in 1980, Savalaram retired from active lyric writing. He spent his later years reading the Dnyaneshwari, spending time with friends, and playing with his grandchildren. Despite personal tragedies, such as the accidental death of his son-in-law in 1986, he remained a pillar of strength for his family.

P. Savalaram passed away following a severe heart attack on the morning of December 21, 1997. To honor his memory, Dnyansadhana College built the "Janakavi P. Savalaram Cultural Hall". Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through his songs, which continue to be an inseparable part of Marathi culture.