Bal Thackeray
Founder of the Shiv Sena and political cartoonist
- Lived
- 86 yrs
- 1926 – 2012
- Works listed
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Bal Thackeray was a cartoonist who founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 to champion the interests of Marathi speakers in Mumbai. He never held public office, but for four decades was one of the most influential and polarising figures in Maharashtra politics.
Biography
Cartoonist
Thackeray was the son of Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, a social reformer active in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement for a Marathi-speaking state. He began his career as a cartoonist at the Free Press Journal in Bombay and in 1960 launched his own Marathi cartoon weekly, Marmik.
Founding the Shiv Sena
In June 1966 he founded the Shiv Sena, initially campaigning for jobs and opportunities for Marathi people in Bombay. The party later adopted Hindu nationalism and allied with the BJP; the alliance won the 1995 Maharashtra election and formed the state government with Manohar Joshi as Chief Minister.
In 1989 he started the party’s daily newspaper, Saamana. His fiery speeches and his remote-control style of leadership from his home, Matoshree, became part of his legend. His rhetoric was also criticised, and the Srikrishna Commission named him in connection with the 1992–93 Bombay riots.
Death and legacy
Thackeray died in Mumbai on 17 November 2012; hundreds of thousands attended his funeral at Shivaji Park. His son Uddhav Thackeray succeeded him as Shiv Sena chief and later served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Personality
Thackeray was known for his sharp wit, his love of cartoons by David Low, his fiery speeches at the annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park and his remote-control style of running both party and, from 1995 to 1999, the state government. He openly admired strong leaders and made provocative statements that made him a polarising figure.
Family
His wife Meena Thackeray, known as Meenatai, died in 1995 and his son Bindumadhav in 1996. His son Uddhav took over the Shiv Sena; his nephew Raj Thackeray left in 2006 to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. His grandson Aaditya Thackeray is a Maharashtra MLA.
Timeline
-
1926
Born in Poona (Pune), Bombay Presidency
-
1950
Joins the Free Press Journal as a cartoonist
Approximate.
-
1960
Launches Marmik
Marathi cartoon weekly.
-
1966
Founds the Shiv Sena
On 19 June in Bombay.
-
1989
Starts Saamana
Party daily newspaper.
-
1995
Shiv Sena–BJP government in Maharashtra
Alliance wins the state election.
-
1999
Barred from voting for six years by the Election Commission
Over campaign speeches.
-
2006
Nephew Raj Thackeray leaves to form the MNS
-
2012
Dies in Mumbai
On 17 November.
-
2012
Died, aged 86
Did you know?
-
1
He never contested an election or held any government post.
-
2
His cartoons appeared in The Times of India’s Sunday edition early in his career.
-
3
He admired the British cartoonist David Low.
-
4
His Dussehra rallies at Shivaji Park drew huge crowds.
-
5
The Election Commission once barred him from voting for six years.
Gallery
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Bal Thackeray?
Bal Thackeray was a cartoonist who founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 to champion the interests of Marathi speakers in Mumbai. He never held public office, but for four decades was one of the most influential and polarising figures in Maharashtra politics.
When did Bal Thackeray die?
Bal Thackeray died on 17 November 2012 at the age of 86.
Where is Bal Thackeray from?
Bal Thackeray was born in Poona (Pune), Bombay Presidency.
What is Bal Thackeray known for?
Bal Thackeray is best known for Founding the Shiv Sena in 1966; the Marmik weekly and Saamana newspaper.
Who is Bal Thackeray married to?
Spouse: Meena Thackeray (died 1995).
References
- Bal Thackeray — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Bal Thackeray — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Bal Thackeray — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Bal Thackeray (Q61193) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Bal Thackeray.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/bal-thackeray
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