Kanitkar

Kanitkar is one of the many last names used a certain subcaste of Brahmins in India. This subcaste is called [Konkanastha Chitapavan][1].

Kanitkars, like most other Konkanastha Chitpavan Brahmins, originate in the Konkan strip located on western seacoast of India about 300-500 kilometers south of Mumbai. However, Kanitkars have now migrated to almost all the corners of the world.

A large majority of Kanitkars still live in Pune city in Maharashtra state of India, but there are instances of Kanitkars in Mumbai, Vadodara, and many other cities. Many Kanitkars have also migrated to foreign countries, United States, Australia and Singapore, to name a few.

Genealogy of Kanitkars is documented in "Kanitkar Kul Vrutanta", the latest (second) edition was published on January 26, 1988. It noted that there were around 780 Kanitkar males and 640 females living in various parts of the world at that time. Kanitkars belong to Kaushik Gotra and consider Shri Vyadeshwar at Guhaghar, Maharashtra, India is their primary "family god" [Kul Daivat]. Kanitkars (other names: Parkar or Satkar) were from original five towns and 13 descendant families, spread around to 110 towns by 1988.

Gharane No.	Gharane Name	Living Males	Total Males
1	Basani - Ganeshwadi	124	283
2	Basani - Sakharpe	43	128
3	Basani - Dhom	27	77
4	Basani - Vetoshi	16	43
5	Palshet - Adoor	65	191
6 Palshet - Junnar 101 202 7 Palshet - Bavdhan 110 237 8 Palshet - Kothure 3 38 9 Palshet - LimbaGanesh 37 77 10 Palshet - Chandwad 5 34 11 Palshet - Shirdhon 50 103 12 Palshet - Padli 15 39 13 Palshet - Bhadkambe 54 137 14 Palshet - Aachre 0 31 15 Palshet - Siddheshwar 18 46 16 Palshet - Guttal 33 74 17 Palshet - Guhaghar 12 34|} 18 Palshet - Ambegaon 0 27 19 Palshet - Tarapur 5 34 20 Palshet - Chinchner 6 21 21 Bhatgaon - Aanjarle 21 43 22 Nandiwade - Vileparle 14 29 23 Weldoor - Bhiwandi 21 45 The editors of the second edition suggested that a third edition should be considered around year 2010. Currently, [www.kanitkar.com][2] website is under construction and will have more information of interest to Kanitkars - current and past - around the world. May be in today's electronic age, the next Kul Vruttanta would reside in the cyberspace. Prominent Kanitkars Shrimati Anjali Kanitkar - founder of famous marriage bureau Anuroop Wiwaha Sanstha[3]. She managed to tie knot of over 15.000 marriages over her stunning 25 years devoted to Anuroop. Further Anuroop is known for Brahmin and Chitpavan match making. Shri Hrishikesh Kanitkar - famous cricketer. Specially known for his last bowl boundary against Pakistan in Bangladesh, for Asia Cup. Shri Janardan Mankeshwar Kanitkar (APPA) has been in lifetime involved in the field of Library Development over five decades retired as Librarian of IIPA Delhi in late Sixties He along with his multi talented have been actively involved in amateur Marathi Stage at Delhi for over five decades popularly known as APPA and Vahini in Maharashtrian circle in Delhi. Shrimati Kashibai Govindrao Kanitkar 1861-1948 is considered to be the first female writer in Marathi literature. Her main claim to fame came from her book on "Dr. Anandibai Joshi's biography and letters." Prof. Keshav Ramchandra Kanitkar during his lifetime in twentieth century has been eminent educationist active in Pune. Involved in nurturing and development of Fergusson College has been Principal of the college for a long time. Shri Madhav Kanitkar is a noted Marathi playwright and writer. His contributions include books like Mahabharath in Marathi, and monthly magazines Manini and Prapancha. Shri Manko Mahadeo Kanitkar has been active in moneylending business at Pune during regime of Peshwas in mid eighteenth century. He subsequently led his retired life at Dhom near Wai in Satara District. His successors have continued this business until end of twentieth century. Shri Narhari Keshav Kanitkar popularly known as AnnaSaheb first qualified engineer in the family graduated from College of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering in 1920s got his specialisation in UK and served the then GIP Railways and retired as Chief of Mechanical Engineering in late 1950s.