Snapping ties with Marathi will lose connect with culture

 Media Coverage  |  28-02-2025

Opines noted lyricist Javed Akhtar on Marathi Rajbhasha Day

Mumbai

“Every mother should speak to her children in their respective mother tongue only. If there is no interaction between a mother and child in their native language, the children will lose their linguistic roots. Consequently, they will also lose their connection with their culture and, in the end, they will belong to nowhere,” said veteran lyricist and screenplay writer Javed Akhtar.

To mark Marathi Rajbhasha Day, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) organised a classical Marathi book exhibition at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

Speaking at the event’s inaugural function, Akhtar recalled that Marathi literature has produced extraordinary works for centuries, but unfortunately, they remained limited to Marathi readers only.

“There was a time in Europe when women had to publish their poems under the garb of men’s names. However, Maharashtra had Sant Muktabai, Sant Janabai, and Bahinabai, whose poetry made them superstars. Maharashtra was ahead of its time in this regard. Therefore, it is now essential that Marathi literature reaches global audience by translating works in other languages,” he stressed.

Today is a ‘Raj Day’,

says Dr Vijay Darda

Today is Marathi Rajbhasha Day. Since Raj Thackeray specially invited me to this event, today is truly a ‘Raj’ Day,’” said chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda. Dr Darda also recited Kusumagraj’s poem ‘Akher Kamai’, which compels deep introspection about social harmony. Besides, he presented his own poem, ‘Antim Tarikh’, which he had written in 1976.

‘Kon Tu Re Kon Tu?’

MNS chief Raj Thackeray recited Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare’s famous poem ‘Kon Tu Re Kon Tu, Kalikeche Khadga Tu?’ in his distinctive, powerful voice.

Asha Bhosle performs

When invited to participate, legendary singer Asha Bhosle humorously said, “Raj Thackeray has asked me to read a poem and not to sing!” She then began reading Suresh Bhat’s ghazal ‘Kenvha Tari Pahate’. However, after the second stanza, she spontaneously started singing, delighting the audience with a thunderous applause.

Those presented poems

Several prominent personalities also presented their poetic tributes, including Ranganath Pathare, Riteish Deshmukh, Sonali Bendre,Ashutosh Gowariker, Ashok Saraf, Sharvari Wagh, Vicky Kaushal, Abhijat Joshi, Laxman Utekar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Nagraj Manjule, Parag Karandikar, Rajiv Khandekar and Girish Kuber among others.

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