“Grand Inauguration Ceremony of Marathi Vangmay Mandal Held at St. Xavier’s College“
Mumbai Marathi Vangmay Mandal: On first week of Sept, 2024, at 5 PM, a magnificent literary event marked the inauguration of the “Marathi Vangmay Mandal (M.V.M.)” at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. This ceremony also heralded the beginning of the new year for the college’s cultural committee. The festival representative informed Sachi Shiksha correspondent that this event, part of a major initiative, brings together various students, teachers, and notable artists from the Marathi film and theater industry in this celebration of culture and creativity.
Inauguration: The ceremony commenced with the national anthem, followed by the Maharashtra regional song, which emotionally connected the attendees and ignited a deep sense of pride. Subsequently, Dr. Rajendra Shinde, Principal of St. Xavier’s College, and Neeraja Gokhale, General Secretary of the Marathi Vangmay Mandal, along with college teachers, officially inaugurated the program by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
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Historical Discussion:
Principal Dr. Rajendra Shinde addressed the assembly, highlighting the rich 102-year history of the Marathi Vangmay Mandal. He humorously remarked that St. Xavier’s College has emerged as a “culturally event-centric” college due to institutions like the Marathi Vangmay Mandal. He praised the Mandal for promoting students’ holistic development and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting cultural roots.
Student Committee and Mandal:
The representative further stated that the student committee of Marathi Vangmay Mandal includes Neeraja Gokhale, Rutvi Chaudhari, and Om Adhav, who effectively utilized the platform to share their experiences. Gokhale, speaking on stage, emphasized that this platform provides appropriate space not only for literature but also for drama, music, and other cultural activities. Manasvi Mehta and Niharika Jalan also highlighted the inclusive nature of this platform, explaining how the Mandal accommodates all students, transcending linguistic or cultural background boundaries.
Film and Theater Artists:
A distinguished panel of dignitaries from the Marathi film and theater industry, including Vandana Gupte, Ganesh Pandit, Chhaya Kadam, Saurabh Gokhale, and Shashank Ketkar, shared their personal insights and thoughts during the event. This discussion session, moderated by Dr. Pranati Chirmuley and Ms. Rutvi Chaudhari, covered topics such as the richness of the Marathi language, the need to dispel inferiority complexes about regional languages, and the importance of embracing one’s cultural heritage.
Vandana Gupte expressed her thoughts on her love for the Marathi language and her illustrious career, while Ganesh Pandit emphasized the need to present stories in one’s mother tongue. Shashank Ketkar talked about the evolution of Marathi television, and Chhaya Kadam and Saurabh Gokhale discussed the role of language in shaping one’s identity. The panel collectively urged students to embrace and take pride in Marathi in today’s globalized world.
Punar Bhet Play:
The evening’s main attraction was the much-anticipated musical play, “Punarbhet.” This musical drama tells a poignant story of artists reconnecting with their inner artistry after years of being separated from their art. With captivating dialogues, emotive music, and well-choreographed Lavani dance, this play touched the hearts of the audience.
The final segment featured a blend of classical and contemporary dance styles, symbolizing the fusion of tradition and modernity. The artists’ excellent coordination and emotional performance drew enthusiastic applause from the audience, with the Kathak-Hip Hop fusion dance being particularly spectacular.
Conclusion:
The evening concluded with a fashion display showcasing a mix of modern and traditional Indian attire. The Mandal’s key members took to the stage at the play’s end to introduce the performers, which was met with applause from the audience in honor of the artists. They praised the students’ hard work and passion in making the inauguration ceremony a success.
The representative reported that the Marathi Vangmay Mandal has reignited enthusiasm and pride for the Marathi language and culture among students, establishing a strong foundation for the next academic year. It’s worth noting that the national newspaper Sach Kahoon and the magazine Sachi Shiksha are media partners for this festival.
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