Legacy remains

The 100 years of the Russian revolution were enthusiastically celebrated all over the world except in Russia which held a low key march because no one cares! Being an ironic incident, this reminded me of a simmilar event happened recently. International Marathi Day (27 February) which was exuberantly cherished all over the virtual world except in real life. Physical celebration means nothing if intellect is ruined. It is routine practice to read jokers in Marathi literally circle crib for donation for lit fest, Marathi celebrities to approach MNS/SS to help screen their movies, left-socialist cry out for liberal/ right wing onslaught, right wing to shout out
majoritarian agenda, amidst all these things, are we producing anything unique & new Marathi?

Today, I was speaking to one Maharashtrian lady which holds high tables in the leading Indian company. As our discussion went ahead & lady needed explain her point more in depth, her forte came out in open. Being Maharashtrian, her Hindi was sounding like burning candles at the both ends. Refusing to give up in a conversation which comes naturally women, she was hell bent on percolating her points into my ear-drums. Our conversation continued in broken Hindi without thinking to switch to Marathi. It was a sheer horror.

Another incident was interesting. Once I got a call from a company which required freelance writers. When I mentioned writing for Marathi portals, I was nimble enough to understand hesitation in the tone post mention.

However, I never hide my credentials. Being born in Marathi speaking family,  Marathi is a usurper in my consciousness.  Speaking in geological terms, mother tongue is a bedrock. Even if you add up layers, it is there. It is intriguing to witness how globalization is making us all similar in all aspects.

In the post script, I would recommend every to read Ramchandra Guha's seminal essay on ' Bilingual scholars of India'. Guha showcased how Savarkar (yes he wrote about him), Ambedkar, Nehru, Gandhi were equally good in both, their mother tongue as well as professional language. The essential point he underlines is their knowledge, irrespective of their ideological leanings which made them & their language. Point to be noted.

#ninadkharkar