NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 98th 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 presence at the 98th 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, 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, Karwar, Madgaon, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal, Raipur and Ghuman. 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.