Taking Forward the Literary Movement of Classical Marathi

The 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference will be held in Delhi from February 21 to 23. Marathi has been granted the status of a classical language, and the event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this context, a special article…

Indian culture has been deeply influenced by the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Even in an era when reading and writing were rare, stories from these epics and other scriptures were passed down orally by grandparents to their grandchildren. But where did they acquire this knowledge?

Until the pre-independence period, most Indian villages remained isolated from the outside world. With bullock carts as the primary means of transportation, farming was dependent on the monsoons. After the harvest season, the same bullock cart paths remained largely unused for months. Despite this, villages were self-sufficient and harmonious, with different castes and communities contributing their skills to maintain social balance. Folk arts and cultural traditions thrived, binding people together through the thread of Indian heritage.

Konkan was no exception. The region had its share of bhajan and kirtan singers, folk performers, and artisans who practiced traditional crafts. Storytelling, music, and theatrical performances were integral to rural life. These forms of art were not just entertainment but a way to preserve knowledge and values. For instance, devotional songs and mythological stories were memorized and recited during daily activities, ensuring cultural continuity.

As time passed, formal education took precedence, and schools became the primary source of learning. The oral tradition of passing down folklore and local dialects started fading. Native village languages were deemed inferior to standardized Marathi, and those who spoke in their local dialects were often looked down upon. The cultural richness of folk songs, riddles, proverbs, and storytelling traditions gradually disappeared.

Urbanization and modernization further disrupted these traditions. With piped water replacing wells, women no longer gathered to sing while drawing water. Mechanized farming reduced communal agricultural activities, leading to the disappearance of songs and games once shared during work. The sound of shepherds playing the flute at dusk became a thing of the past.

While Marathi has now attained classical language status, the true essence of its literary wealth lies in its regional dialects and oral traditions. To make classical Marathi more vibrant, writers and poets must reconnect with the villages, reviving the language spoken in fields, forests, rivers, and homes. Folk languages are the backbone of any linguistic heritage, and nurturing them is essential for the growth of Marathi literature.

For the past decade, the Rajapur-Lanja Taluka Nagrik Sangh, Mumbai, has been organizing Rural Marathi Literary Conferences in Konkan’s Ratnagiri district. These gatherings aim to preserve and promote the region’s dialects, offering a platform for local poets and writers. The movement has been sustained entirely through community contributions, proving that grassroots efforts can keep folk literature alive.

— Subhash Lad
President, Rajapur-Lanja Taluka Nagrik Sangh, Mumbai
Contact: 9869105734