Earlier this month, I had the unique honour of being invited as the Chief Guest at the European Marathi Sammelan (EMS) held in Leicester, UK on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of July 2025. It was more than just an event — it was a celebration of identity, language, art, and community, bringing together Maharashtrians from across Europe to rejoice in their shared heritage.
The energy at the Sammelan was absolutely infectious. Hundreds of Maharashtrians, young and old, came together to celebrate their roots with pride. What stood out to me was the sheer quality and passion of the performances. Whether it was music, dance, theatre, or poetry — the dedication and talent on display was simply breathtaking. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I haven’t witnessed such heartfelt performances even on some Indian stages!
The event also featured well-known personalities from the Marathi film industry — actors like Sonali Kulkarni, Mrinmayee Deshpande, Sunil Barve, Anand Ingale, Pushkar Shrotri, Meghana Erande and several others who flew in from India to perform and participate. Their presence created a vibrant connection between the homeland and the diaspora, reminding us that no matter how far we travel, our roots go with us.
For me, the experience was deeply nostalgic. It took me back to the early 1990s, when my family and I were living in Oman as Non-Resident Indians. Back then, we too were trying to preserve our Maharashtrian and Indian culture while raising our children in a foreign land. Celebrating festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali with pomp and devotion, participating in Indian cultural programmes, and teaching our children about our values was not a conscious decision — it was a heartfelt responsibility.
One of the first things we decided as a family was to speak Marathi at home. With English dominating their world outside — in schools, playgrounds, and society — we knew that the only way to retain our cultural identity was through our mother tongue. Language, after all, isn’t just a way to communicate — it carries within it the soul of a culture, the wisdom of generations, and the rhythm of our stories.
We were fortunate to have my children’s Ajji (grandmother) living with us. Every evening, she would recite Shlokas, and our children, even at a young age, began learning and reciting them beautifully. That simple tradition has stood the test of time. Even today, now that we are back in India, our grandchildren — aged 5, 7, and 9— recite those very same Shlokas. It’s a living legacy, passed down gently, lovingly, and consistently. This is how culture is imbibed — not just through lessons, but through living.
Attending the European Marathi Sammelan reminded me that this effort to preserve and spread culture is universal. Families across the world — from Oman to the UK, from America to Australia — are nurturing their roots even as they branch out into new worlds. They are ensuring that their children not only adapt to global cultures but also stay grounded in their own heritage.
Why is this important?
Because culture gives us identity, language gives us belonging, and tradition gives us continuity. In an increasingly globalised world, where borders blur and languages mix, it is our culture that anchors us — reminding us of who we are, where we come from, and what we carry forward.
The European Marathi Sammelan 2025 was a shining example of how beautifully this can be done — with joy, with pride, and with community. It reaffirmed my belief that no matter where we live, we must celebrate, share, and sustain the culture of our country and state — not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.
Let us all continue to be proud ambassadors of our heritage — across borders, across time.