PM Modi to inaugurate Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Delhi-OxBig News Network

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 98^th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan being held in the national capital between February 21 and 23, 2025.

The Sammelan has returned to Delhi after 70 years and the inauguration by the PM underscored its importance not just as a literary gathering but as a moment of national cultural celebration, its organizer Sanjay Nahar said.

“His (PM’s) presence at the 98^th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan reflects the growing recognition of Marathi literature’s contribution to India’s cultural and intellectual fabric, especially following the conferral of the “Classical Language” status to Marathi,” Nahar said.

Veteran politician and ardent literary enthusiast Sharad Pawar will serve as the President of the Reception Committee, he said, adding his involvement highlighted the enduring link between literature and Maharashtra’s socio-political evolution, showcasing the role of literature in shaping public consciousness.

Dr. Tara Bhavalkar, an esteemed scholar and a distinguished literary figure, will preside over the Sammelan, symbolizing the rich legacy of women’s contributions to Marathi literature and thought, he added.

The selection of Delhi as the venue might surprise some, but for seasoned litterateurs and writers—Marathi and non-Marathi alike—it’s a continuation of a long-standing tradition, he said.

“Since its inception in 1878, the Sammelan has been hosted outside Maharashtra many times, in cities such as Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Belgavi (Belgaum), Karwar, Madgaon (Margao-Goa), Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal, Raipur, and Ghuman (Punjab). The last time the Sammelan was held in Delhi was 1954, making this year’s Sammelan a momentous return to the nation’s capital,” Nahar said.

He said the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan has a rich legacy that dates back to 1878, making it one of the oldest literary gatherings in India.

“Over its 146-year history, it has served as a platform for intellectual discourse, artistic exchange, and the celebration of Marathi culture. The Sammelan in its early years has been graced by luminaries such as Justice Mahadeo Govind Ranade, Lokahitwadi Gopal Hari Deshmukh, and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Tilak’s disciples including Madhav Shrihari Ane and Shivram Mahadev Paranjape, and Swatantryaveer Savarkar. These figures were not only literary stalwarts but also social reformers and freedom fighters. They represented diverse ideologies—moderates and radicals—debating and resolving their differences within the framework of mutual respect, a hallmark of the Sammelan’s inclusive ethos,” Nahar said.

The return of the Sammelan to Delhi was more than a geographical shift; it is a symbolic celebration of India’s unity in diversity. Delhi, as the cultural and political heart of the nation, is an ideal venue to highlight how Marathi literature’s universal themes of social justice, reform, and humanism resonate across India.

The venue, named ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sahitya Nagari,’ honors the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a symbol of valor, governance, and cultural pride. Shivaji Maharaj not only established a sovereign Marathi kingdom but also championed the use of Marathi in administration and literature, ensuring its prominence in the cultural fabric of the region, he said.

Noting that Marathi literature has consistently reflected the idea of India, uniting voices from different regions and dialects under a shared cultural and intellectual framework, he said, “This inclusivity of the Sammelan has helped in having Marathi literary works translated into other Indian languages and vice versa, creating a reciprocal literary exchange. The list of its former presidents includes figures from Dalit and minority communities, such as Shankarrao Kharat, YM Pathan, Narayan Surve, Keshav Meshram, and Father Francis D’Britto, further demonstrating its commitment to representing diverse perspectives.”

The responsibility of organizing this prestigious Sammelan has been entrusted to Sarhad, Pune—a respected NGO known for its work in fostering harmony and cultural exchange in conflict prone border regions.