83RD MARTAHI SAHITYA SAMMENLAN

Currently 83rd Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan under progress at Pune.
The first was more than 83 years ago again in Pune. It was not regular annual feature then. It was not called then even as Marathi Sahitya Sammelan ( Marathi literature meet). It was named as Granth Uttejak Sabha. It became associated with Sahitya or Literature later on. It crossed boundary of the Pune city to become Akhil Bharatiya. Nothing new for Pune. Many movements carried in the bye lanes of Pune call themselves as national movements. But some movements have definitely become national and even international movements. The literature meet is one such. No longer ii is a promotional meet for the printers and publishers but truly a meet for the cause of literature. It is so by and large in spite of numerous controversies that regularly haunt the Sammelan year after year. There is no parallel example of any other Indian language that can boast of such meet held regularly and participated by thousands of literature lovers of the particular language. Many of them have doctorates earned from the study of Marathi literature.

To become President / Adhyaksha of the Sammelan is the best honor that can be conferred upon a Marathi writer or poet. It has equal to or may be greater prestige than Jnanpeeth award. All Jnanpeeth awardees from Marathi language have been past Presidents of some such meet in some year. A casual look at the list of past Presidents will reveal that almost all those who matter have been bestowed with the honor. Some glaring examples can be cited of those who did not like to offer themselves for the elections for the post. Some would love to have the honor without elections. Some worthy have lost elections. In the opinion of some people every elected President is not worthy of the honor. But such comments are part of democracy and are found in every sphere of public life. The honors conferred without election like Padma awards also not devoid of comments and controversies.

The speech presented by the President of the Meet is worthy of nothing less than a doctorate. Many debates have sparked of as a result of some Presidential speeches. Equally note worthy are the inaugural welcome speeches. You will find people like past Prime Ministers, Governors, Central and state Ministers, Chief Ministers from adjoining states, known public figures performing the job.

One blog is not sufficient to give justice to the stature of the Meet. May be some more will follow.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210