In a monumental decision, the central government has granted the prestigious status of "classical language" to Marathi, a moment that has sparked widespread celebration in the Marathi film and music industry.
On October 3, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet officially recognized Marathi along with Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali languages as classical languages, a distinction that reflects the cultural richness and historic significance of these languages.
This long-awaited recognition, after more than six decades of advocacy, has been met with enthusiasm by Marathi artists and cultural figures.
Many took to social media to express their joy and gratitude, and the Marathi entertainment industry is buzzing with excitement over this honor bestowed on the language that is the heart and soul of their creative expression.
Salil Kulkarni, a celebrated music composer known for his contribution to Marathi cinema and music, was one of the first to share his reaction.
In an emotional video posted on social media, Kulkarni shared how this recognition is deeply personal for him. He said, "The language in which we dream, the language in which we express our deepest emotions, has now been honored as a classical language.
This is a moment of immense pride for all of us. We are all children of Marathi, and this achievement feels like a collective victory."
Kulkarni, who has been a driving force in promoting Marathi music and poetry for nearly three decades, further reflected on the cultural journey of Marathi. "For the past 27-28 years, I have found immense joy in singing and composing Marathi poems and songs.
Today, that joy is multiplied. We owe this recognition to the elders who preserved and nurtured our language, passing it down to our generation. It's because of their efforts that Marathi has flourished, and I bow to them with all my heart," he said.
Similarly, Subodh Bhave, a prominent actor in the Marathi film industry, took to Instagram to share his pride and appreciation. In his Instagram story, Bhave wrote, "Classical language, Marathi language! My heartfelt thanks to the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A deep bow of respect to everyone who fought tirelessly for this recognition."
