Kulkarni

Kulkarni Marathi-(कुलकर्णी/कुळकर्णी) Kannada-(ಕುಲಕರ್ಣಿ) is a common family name in the Maharashtra and Karnataka states of India.

The name Kulkarni is believed to be a combination of two words (kula and karani). Kula means the root of the family, and Karanika means one who maintains records or accounts. Traditionally, Kulkarni was a title used for people who used to maintain the accounts and records of the villages and used to collect taxes. The title of the Kulkarni was later replaced by the Talati. The Kulkarni Watan was abolished in 1920 and paid Talatis from all castes were appointed to the new office of the Talati. In some cases, the Talatis were the oppressed castes and the abolishing of the Kulkarni Watan system was viewed as a progressive move. Most Kulkarnis belong to the oldest and the original Brahmin caste of Maharashtra, the Deshastha Brahmins. The surname is also found amongst Karhade Brahmin, and the CKP, GSB and Daivajna communities of Maharashtra. In Karnataka Kulkarni is common surname among Vaisnavas/Madhwa & Smartha(Shaiva) Brahmins. Most Kulkarnis speak Marathi but those from Karnataka Speak Kannada as their mother tongue. The surname Kulkarni is also common in the northern part of Karnataka as well as Maharashtra, and can also be found in the southern part of Karnataka, especially in the Bangalore & Mysore Districts.

Most Kulkarni families originate from Maharashtra or northern Karnataka but in more recent times migrated and settled all over the world.

Some of the famous Kulkarnis

Many prominent landmarks and roads in several cities are named after famous Kulkarnis. Some examples are the Kulkarni Garden in Nashik, G. A. Kulkarni road in Pune and Kulkarni Galli in Belgaum. In the mathematical field of differential geometry the Kulkarni–Nomizu product is very famous as well.

In the old times, many Kulkarni saints were pioneers of social revival. Some of the examples are: Sant Dnyaneshwar who is widely credited to be the founder of Marathi literature, Sant Ramdas, Brahma Chaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj and Sant Eknath.

In the more recent times, many Kulkarnis have made immense contributions to society and left their mark in a wide variety of fields like entertainment, literature, and academics.

Saints (Sants)

• Sant Dnyaneshwar: Pre-sainthood name: Dnyāneshwar Kulkarni: 1275 - 1296
• Sant Eknath: Pre-sainthood name: Eknāth Kulkarni : 1533 - 1599
• Samarth Ramdas: Pre-sainthood name: Narayan Kulkarni (Thosar): 1608 - 1681
• Nivruttinath: Pre-sainthood name: Nivrutti Kulkarni : Elder brother and GURU of Dnyaneshwar, was first saint of Varkari Panth and an authority on philosophy of the Nath sect.
• Sopan: Pre-sainthood name: Sopan Kulkarni : Wrote a book "Sopandevi" based on the Bhagvadgita's Marathi interpretation along with 50 or so abhangas.
• Muktabai: Pre-sainthood name: Mukta Kulkarni : She is considered as one of the first poetesses in Marathi with around 40 abhangas attributed to her. She was also GURU of Changdev Maharaj.
• Gondavalekar Maharaj: Pre-sainthood name: Ganapati Kulkarni: 1845 - 1913

Literature

• G. A. Kulkarni (1923 - 1987): Short story writer and a Sahitya Akademi Award recipient for 1973.
• Gopal Dutt Kulkarni (1936 - ): Writer of both fiction and non-fiction, Anthropologist, Lead writer for newspaper Gavkari.
• N. K. Kulkarni (1936 - 2004): Pen name 'Enke' has to his credit 13 novels, eight books on literary criticism, 20 one-act plays, biographies and innumerable articles on personalities of the cultural world of Karnataka. He is recipient of Rajyotsava Prashasti Award and Karnataka Patrika Academy award.

Entertainment

• Atul Kulkarni: Marathi Film and Theater actor and has won "Best Actor In A Supporting Role" in 2000 and 2002.
• Dhondutai Kulkarni: Last living icon of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana and awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy Award.
• Mamta Kulkarni: Bollywood actress
• Mrinal Dev-Kulkarni: popular Marathi actress, on television.
• Nina Kulkarni: popular Bollywood and Marathi tele-actress.
• Pallavi Kulkarni: Television actress.
• Patthe Bapurao: (Shridhar Krishna Kulkarni) Singer-poet famous for writing Tamasha and Lawanis 1868–1941
• Salil Kulkarni: Popular Marathi singer Ayushawar Bolu Kahi fame , judge on Marathi TV talent show SaReGaMaPa Marathi
• Sandeep Kulkarni: Marathi Actor featured in Shwaas and Dombivli Fast
• Sangeetha Katti Kulkarni: Kannada Singer and Hindustani Classical Musician & Vocalist
• Sonali Kulkarni: Bollywood actress famous for her role in Dil Chahta Hai and has won the best actress award at the Milan Film Festival
• Sonalee Kulkarni: Noted for her role in the acclaimed 2009 Marathi film Natarang and she received the Zee Gaurav for the movie Bakula Namdev Ghotale.
• Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni: Famous director of acclaimed Marathi films like Deool, Vihir and Valu.

Sports

• Nilesh Kulkarni: Indian cricketer and only Indian bowler to take a wicket with first ball he bowled in Test cricket.
• Raju Kulkarni: Former Indian cricketer.
• Umesh Kulkarni: Former Indian cricketer.
• Shubhangi Kulkarni: Indian women cricketer, was the secretary of the Women's Cricket Association of India.
• Dhawal Kulkarni: Indian Cricket Player, Currently playing from Mumbai Indians (IPL).

Professionals

• Sudha Kulkarni Murthy: Kannada writer, first woman employee of Tata Motors and Founder of Sudha Murthy Foundation. Notably wife of Narayan Murthy co-founder Infosys.
• Shrinivas Kulkarni : Professor, Astrpophysics, California Institute of Technology
• Sudheendra Kulkarni : Indian politician and columnist credited with initiatives such as Delhi–Lahore Bus and India Shining.