A Classic Question

This apart,the tag “classical” may come with some baggage. “To me,the word ‘classical’ means untouched and of a particular time period. If I may say so,Marathi is a rather contemporary and cosmopolitan language. Then why give it just one tag and call it classical?” asks Bokil. According to him,instead of eyeing the tag,steps should be

taken to restore regional and district libraries,and bring out more encyclopedias and dictionaries in Marathi,apart from publishing more books on physics,chemistry,biology and anthropology in the language.

Arun Naik,author,editor and translator,agrees that the classical status won’t do much for the langauge. Like Bokil,he believes that during the last decade,Marathi has acquired a contemporary feel to it. “People give their own touch and flavour to the language. But this can harm the language when people get used to speaking with incorrect grammar,” he says.

Naik suggests that a lot of work be done at the primary level to ensure that the language is spoken and written correctly. “Teachers should be given proper training as to how to teach the language and encourage its use. All

the decades old Marathi textbooks should be replaced with newer content,” he says.

Leena Sohoni — who has translated books such as Kane and Able,Not Without My Daughter and Lajja into Marathi — notices a sea of difference in the Marathi spoken today and what she grew up speaking. “Our parents did make a conscious effort to teach us Marathi language and culture. We are not so particular these days,” she says. The grant that the state will get if the classical status becomes a reality,should be utilised in promoting the language in and outside Maharashtra and India,adds Sohoni.

The publishing world,too,has joined the chorus for Marathi’s promotion. Ramdas Bhatkal,owner of Popular Prakashan,says,“There are hardly any children’s books in Marathi available in the market today. More audio-visual books,nursery rhymes and story books in Marathi should be brought out.” Bhatkal says that,unlike others,Marathi speakers don’t harbour a sense of attachment for the language. “If there is an English book worth

Rs 100,people don’t think twice before buying it. But a book in Marathi,even if priced much lesser,is not preferred,” adds Bhatkal.

Though Marathi practitioners are unsure about how the classical status will help the language,they still have reasons to cheer. “This has at least put the language in the spotlight. We can use this attention and get some much needed work done,” Bokil says.