Apte was born in the village of Samdoli in Sangli District of Maharashtra.[1] After finishing his 7th grade education in Samdoli and Satara, he left his home in 1905 to participate in India's freedom movement.

He traveled extensively throughout northern India; and while traveling, he gained knowledge of Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Nepali, and English languages.

Apte worked for some time as a co-editor of Kirloskar Khabar. He founded a book publishing house, Ajinkyatara Pustkalay, in 1913. He started a literary and political journal named "Alhad" in 1915 and later, another magazine named Madhukar. He started a printing press, Shriniwas Mudranalay, in 1920, and he founded the publishing house "Apte & Co" in 1924.

Apte wrote over 35 novels, and 10 books providing advice on ways to experiencing happy family life. He also published two collections of his short stories. He propagated traditional Hindu values and beliefs through his writings. His first short story was published in Karamanuk magazine which was then edited by Hari Narayan Apte. His first novel Ajinkyatara was published in 1909. He wrote his last novel Javanancha Jiwandharma in 1962.

Baburao Painter in 1925, introduced Apte to Marathi film industry,[3] and Apte wrote screenplays for Marathi films mostly by adapting his own short stories and novels.His most famous works came in the 1930s, Prabhat for Shantaram at the Film Society. He also worked with directors Datta Dharmadhikari, Shantaram Athavale and Dinkar Patil.

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Narayan Hari Apte

Writer