A prolific writer, Keshav penned plays, biographies and booklets to create awareness about the Maharashtra movement. He became actively involved with the movement in 1951. Supporting the demand to include Dang district in Maharashtra instead of Gujarat, he appealed for Dang Day to be observed on June 3, 1951.
Keshav used his diplomatic and persuasive skills in bringing together leaders of all political parties in the best interest of Maharashtra movement. Keshav brought all these leaders under one umbrella - Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti.
It was launched in 1955 to pursue the demand for the formation of Maharashtra, with Mumbai and Belgaum as parts of it. Keshav led from the front and was even arrested during this movement.
Bal Thackeray, at the time, worked as a cartoonist in the ‘Free Press Journal'. He also contributed to Marathi publications, including Navyug, under the pseudonym Mavla. Bal Thackeray supported the demands made by the samiti and attacked the Congress through his cartoons.
