A Festival of Letters on the Historic Soil of Satara: Grand Inauguration of the 99th All India Marathi Literary Conference

Book procession revives traditional memories

Satara, January 2026 : In the historic city of Satara, the 99th All India Marathi Literary Conference was inaugurated today through an unprecedented confluence of literature and ideas. The grand opening ceremony of this literary conclave took place with the hoisting of the flag at the ‘Swarajya Vistarak Chhatrapati Thorle Shahu Maharaj Sahitya Nagari’ (Shahu Sports Complex). A unique blend of Satara’s rich heritage and literary tradition was witnessed on this occasion.

The All India Marathi Literary Conference is being organised in Satara from January 1 to 4 by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, jointly organised by the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune (Shahupuri branch, Satara) and Mawala Foundation, Satara.

Dignitaries and Flag Hoisting

The conference flag was hoisted by Prof. Milind Joshi, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal. The ceremony was attended by the Conference Reception Committee Chairman and Public Works Minister Shrimant Chhatrapati Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, and Conference President Vishwas Patil.

Also present on this historic occasion were Chairperson of the 98th Literary Conference Dr Tara Bhawalkar, Executive President Vinod Kulkarni, Executive Secretary Sunitaraje Pawar, District Collector Santosh Patil, Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi, senior industrialist Bhalchandra Joshi, Sandeep Shah, Ravindra Bedkihal, along with a large number of writers, dignitaries and office-bearers of the All India Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal.

Enthusiasm at Various ‘Kattas’

The inauguration of the book exhibition, a major attraction of the conference, was performed by Dr Tara Bhawalkar. Adorned with thousands of books, this literary city has become a treasure trove of knowledge for readers. Several thematic platforms (‘kattas’) reflecting different facets of literature were also inaugurated.
The Poetry Katta was inaugurated by industrialist Bhalchandra Joshi in the presence of Ravindra Bedkihal, while the Ghazal Katta was inaugurated by Reception Committee Chairman Shri Bhosale. The Publication Katta was inaugurated by Conference President Vishwas Patil.

Satara Ready to Welcome Guests: Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale

Reception Committee Chairman Shrimant Chhatrapati Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale welcomed all participants on behalf of the people of Satara. He said the city is fully prepared to warmly welcome literary stalwarts and that no effort is being spared by the administration and organisers. He expressed confidence that this conference would add a jewel to Satara’s crown.

Great Enthusiasm Among Citizens: Vishwas Patil

Conference President Vishwas Patil said there is tremendous enthusiasm among the people of Satara for the event. Literature lovers from all corners of Maharashtra have gathered here, and their passion is a source of inspiration for the organisers. He expressed confidence that writers and readers from Satara, neighbouring districts and across Maharashtra would participate in large numbers.

The 99th Conference to Be the Most Impressive So Far

Executive President Vinod Kulkarni said the conference has begun with great enthusiasm through flag hoisting and various programmes, and it will be more impressive than all previous conferences. He praised the arrangements, stating that high-quality facilities have been provided with strong support from the administration, and extended a warm welcome to literature enthusiasts from across the country and the world.

Book Procession Revives Traditional Memories

The book procession (Granth Dindi) organised as part of the 99th All India Marathi Literary Conference revived memories of Maharashtra’s cultural traditions, saint literature and literary heritage. The procession was inaugurated by senior litterateur Dr Tara Bhawalkar, Reception Committee Chairman and Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, Mahamandal President Milind Joshi, Executive Secretary Sunitaraje Pawar, Executive President Vinod Kulkarni, District Collector Santosh Patil, Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi, President of MASAP Shahupuri branch Nandkumar Sawant, and President of Mawala Foundation Sharad Beble, among others, by breaking a coconut.

The procession began from Rajwada, with Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale and Milind Joshi themselves shouldering the procession. It passed through Rajpath, Powai Naka and the Police Drill Ground, before reaching the Chhatrapati Thorle Shahu Maharaj Sahitya Nagari. Prior to this, a ceremonial procession was taken out in a silver chariot featuring Reception Committee Chairman Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, Conference President Vishwas Patil and Mahamandal President Milind Joshi.

Students from 55 schools participated in the book procession, presenting attractive tableaux and artwork on themes such as the environment, tourism in Satara, saint literature, the educational movement of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule and social reformer Mahatma Phule, and the propagation of the saint tradition by Sant Dnyaneshwar and Muktabai.