Special consideration for the US: This article is NOT a ploy to take over the world.
'Labhle amhas bhagya bolto Marathi.'
I cant stop raving about this song! This Marathi Asmita song has hit a nerve. It has made me realize how proud I am of my culture and the values imbibed in me. I love to speak in Marathi. Being in the US, I talk English, I walk English, I sleep English, bloody I even shit English. I die to speak to my parents and sis and anyone from India who will listen because I get to speak with them in Marathi. Of all things, I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would miss talking in Marathi so much.
Some of my friends' think that I am a communal zealot. I am too proud of my community! But unlike Mr. Thackeray, I don't want to kick non-Marathi ass and throw them out. I want to co -exist. I still am happy that I was brought up in a 'cosmo' environment in school where we celebrated everything from Garba to Id to Christmas. I have friends from every religion and many languages. And I don't intend to say that Marathi is the greatest language in the world and nothing can be better, coz that's not true. But I would like to say this: Marathi is a beautiful language. It has versatile arts and its literature is one of the most extensive in the world. Its music is original and its artists are very talented yet humble. Its leaders have been foremost in bringing reform in the community.
Maharashtrians have a high thinking and they conduct themselves truthfully. They give immense importance to family values. They have participated with vehemence in the revolution. Yes, they cannot run businesses, hotels and banks. They prefer to work for someone, but they are simple people with uncomplicated needs. A good house, a good spouse, 2 kids, puranpoli and drama/cinema/musical performances on Sunday is all they need for happiness!
I am so glad, my parents did not take away the Marathiness in me when they put me in a Catholic school. Now, no one can.
As Jayashree T once said: I love Marathi!
