50 litterateurs from Pune will participate in the first Vishwa Marathi Literary Meet in California starting tomorrow
50 litterateurs from Pune will participate in the first Vishwa Marathi Literary Meet in California starting tomorrow
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Way to America: Students of New English School in Tilak Nagar greeted litterateurs who left for US on Wednesday. Pic/Anil Naik |
Regardless of the ongoing economic slowdown, the first Vishwa Marathi Literary Meet will be held in San Jose, California with complete fanfare from February 14.
Around 150 litterateurs, including 50 from the city, have left for the US on Wednesday to participate in the congregation.
"We are expecting over 1,000 Marathi literature lovers to attend the meet," said, Sandeep Devkule, the convener of the meet.
He added that the economic slowdown affected them as well but they are fully committed to making it a success.
"We have been receiving an overwhelming response from people in Maharashtra and across the globe," Devkule said.
It may be recalled that the event faced stiff opposition from a faction in Maharashtra. However, things cooled down as veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar and the MNS chief Raj Thackeray came out in support of the idea.
No stopping them "This congregation is an effort to elevate Marathi literature and culture. Hence, nothing can stop us from attending it," said writer Milind Joshi, who is an engineer and even teaches in a college.
Besides, Madhavi Vaidya is planning to release her latest documentary film titled Naman Natwara, which is based on the Sangeet Natak during the event.
Also, Prakash Holkar, a farmer from Aurangabad, who also writes poetry, is participating in the meet. "I feel privileged to attend this meet with my friends who truly appreciate Marathi literature, Holkar said.
The event will see a participation of Dr V B Deshpande, a noted drama critic, Dr Ramchandra Dekhane, research scholar on saint literature, Dr Madhavi Vaidya, Marathi professor and a documentary film maker, Aruna Dhere, poetess, Ramnath Chavan, writer, Sudhir Gadgil, a compere, to mention a few.
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The meet will also be attended by popular lyricist-singer Sandeep Khare with music director Salil Kulkarni, veteran Dalit writer and critic Dr Gangadhar Pantavne.
