PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to fallen Indian soldiers in the World War. | (Photo Courtesy: X)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on February 21 the 98th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which will bring together authors and critics from across the country.
About The Conference
The conference, which was first held in 1878 with noted scholar and social reformer Mahadev Govind Ranade as president, has been held almost annually since 1926 and brought together scholars, critics, and literary figures to deliberate on a range of issues, including the relevance of Marathi in changing times.
Well-known expert of Marathi folk literature, culture, traditions, and theatre artist Tara Bhawalkar is the president of the conference which returns to the national capital after a gap of 71 years.
The conference was last held in Delhi in 1954 with renowned lexicographer Tarkatirtha Laxmanshastri Joshi as the president. The conference was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
It is a coincidence that Bhawalkar, who had worked closely with Joshi on the Marathi encyclopedia, is the president of the conference — the first since Marathi was conferred the classical language status by the central government last year.
Tara Bhawalkar Voices Concern
In an interaction with PTI, Bhawalkar voiced concern over the indifferent attitude towards Marathi language by the government and the people in general.
“We need to have original research to be done and published in Marathi to generate interest among the people. There is a growing trend towards English language and even the government is sanctioning new English medium schools,” she said.
Bhawalkar said the government should promote technical education in Marathi language and encourage publication or research in the mother tongue, contending that such an approach will help preserve the language.
“The classical language status can help get more funds for studies in Marathi language,” she said.
Bhawalkar said Marathi language was thriving in rural areas where numerous literary festivals were being held regularly.
“In a Marathi literary conference, people who speak the language come from all across, from Vidarbha, Marathwada and the Konkan and even the border areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra. There are discussions and poetry readings. Literary festivals are happening in small towns and cities and these are well-attended and give people the space to express their opinions,” Bhawalkar said.
The three-day conference will be held at the Talkatora Stadium, which will be renamed for the duration of the event as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sahitya Nagari’.
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