It is poetry not politics that is set to take centre stage today. In the shadow of the simmering Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar controversy, a Marathi musical based on his life, with his songs and poetry in focus, will be staged at Shivaji Park’s Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak today evening. The musical ‘Mee Savarkar’ (I am Savarkar) comes just after a ‘Savarkar Gaurav Yatra’ was held at Shivaji Park on Sunday morning, organized by the BJP-Shiv Sena, which ended at the Smarak too. The Yatra was in response to Rahul Gandhi’s anti-Savarkar comment, that has set the political pressure cooker on full boil. Gandhi had stated he is not Savarkar and he will not apologise.

Timing

This show’s timing coincides with the simmering political show, but the organisers said, “it is based on the concept of the musical contribution of Savarkar in the freedom fight and of bright, brainstorming ardent Hindutva’. The lesser-known aspects of VD Savarkar will be brought to the forefront. We need to bring facts to the public, especially when there have been deliberate attempts by a few to defame and malign. The show is an attempt to achieve this.”