A day to pay tribute to the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Marathi language, Marathi Language Day is celebrated on February 27 each year. This day is chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of the renowned Marathi poet, playwright, and novelist, Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar, popularly known as Kusumagraj.
A prominent literary figure in Marathi literature who was awarded the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour, for his contributions, the Kusumagrajas even battled for the position of the Marathi language as a royal language.
Kusumagraja, the renowned Marathi writer, has penned a diverse range of literary works, including novels, poems, essays, short stories, and dramas. Among his most celebrated creations are the play “Natsamrat” and the poetry collection “Visakha,” which notably inspired the Indian independence movement in 1942.
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Observed in the Indian state of Maharashtra, as Marathi is the official language, this day is celebrated to promote Marathi literature, culture, and heritage and to encourage the use of the Marathi language among people.
Marathi Language Day 2024: Significance and Celebrations
Marathi Language Day holds great significance for Marathi speakers in Maharashtra and worldwide, as it is an opportunity for people to celebrate the rich tradition and history of the Marathi language.
This day is marked by various cultural programmes, literary events, poetry recitations, and seminars organised across the state to commemorate this day and promote the Marathi language and its literature. Schools and educational institutions also hold competitions and activities to foster an appreciation for the Marathi language among students.
Besides this, the government of Maharashtra also takes special initiatives to promote the Marathi language and literature on this day. Efforts are made to increase the use of Marathi in official and administrative communication.
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Marathi Language Day serves as a reminder of the rich linguistic heritage of Maharashtra and the importance of preserving and promoting regional languages in a diverse country like India.
