The decision was taken by the Maharashtra cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. (File photo)
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THE MAHARASHTRA Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the decision to designate Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza as the state song, which will now be played along with the National Anthem at all government events from February 19, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
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The state song will play at all government programmes after the National Anthem, which will remain supreme. All schools will also play the state anthem in addition to the daily prayer and National Anthem.
Written by Raja Nilakanth Bade, the song eulogising Maharashtra comprises two stanzas and is 1.41-minute long.
The Cabinet also cleared the guidelines to be followed while the state song is played. The guidelines mandate that common citizens must remain in alert positions with exceptions made for children, pregnant women, the sick, divyang and senior citizens. State board textbooks will also carry the state song from next year.
The state had been working on finalising the state song after formation of the Eknath Shinde government last year. Till now, 11 states have officially declared state songs.
The song which is also referred to as ‘Maharashtra Geet’ was composed by well-known musician Shrinivas Khale and sung by Shahir Sable before Maharashtra’s first CM, the late Yashwantrao Chavan, when the state came into existence on May 1, 1960. Although the song was never given official status, it was always played at government and cultural programmes.
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Meanwhile, the government announced the decision to increase the amount of Maharashtra Bhushan prize to Rs 25 lakh, from Rs 10 lakh. It is the highest state government award conferred to a civilian for achievements in their respective field.
