My misadventures with Marathi literature

I studied at English medium schools and Marathi literature was not my strength since early age. Whatever Marathi songs I learned were by listening to the radio. Whatever sounded sweet and melodious to the ear I picked it. Didn’t care too much to understand the meaning of the words.

After passing through 10th grade in Khopoli I was enrolled at Parle College in Mumbai for 11th grade. The concept of college was new. Seemed like the tight rules of school were suddenly relaxed. I was a teenager and so were my new friends. Four of us girls were all aspiring to pursue science related professions( engineering or medicine). Languages were mandatory for the curriculum but our emphasis was on Mathematics and sciences. The first lecture each morning was Marathi. The textbook material was suddenly much too advanced for me coming from English medium school. Whatever the professor would discuss was too deep. I couldn’t wrap my head around such literary interpretations. It became increasingly painful to sit through that class. So me and my friends began bunking that class and instead going to this restaurant nearby called Crunchy Munchy to eat idli sambhar or dahi batata puri. Then we would return to attend other classes.

Soon came the mid term exams. And of course my performance in the Marathi exam reflected the reality of my mastery of the subject (or absence thereof)! 

Those days the professor would hand over the results personally. I still remember that dreadful meeting. She was very much aware of my absenteeism and aversion to her class. With piercing eyes and a rather smug face she spoke to me that day in her deep voice” I know you want to pursue medicine, but to get there you still need to get a passing grade in Marathi”! 

Those words created such fear in my mind that the dream of entering medical college seemed impossible to fulfil. I didn’t know how in the world was I going to suddenly acquire the mental ability to interpret complex Marathi literature! After 2 long years of terror of both the subject and the professor I managed to survive the major obstacle and got admission to the premier medical college in Mumbai. I had exceeded my own expectations in Marathi and possibly even surprised my professor. 

Almost 40 years later I am not very much improved in my ability to absorb the literature but what has dramatically changed is I have developed a love for it. I no longer feel terrorized or want to run away from it . In fact from the bottom of my heart I wish I could connect with my Marathi professor from 11th grade, Ms Nashikkar and ask her my doubts when I interpret poetry. I am making an attempt to understand the deeper meaning behind the poet’s words and to truly absorb the essence in those beautiful compositions. 

For those who have complimented me on my writing this was my honest confession. I am at best an amateur. I write because I love indulging in these timeless pieces of poetry. And I get the courage to do so because of your encouragement. 

I feel grateful for this life that has given me a second chance to taste this literature, grateful to the poets and writers who brought forth these treasures for us, grateful for this platform that allows me to share all this and grateful to all of you for taking the time to read my humble commentary. 

I will share with you my thoughts on another of my favorite poems in the next post. I feel inadequate without guidance from my learned professor as I attempt it and there is always a doubt if I am saying it right. But it is what it is. Anyone is welcome to correct me if they know it to be something different. 

This disclaimer was long overdue. I’m happy to get it off my chest. 🙏🏼💕

Saree is a simple kanchi cotton in sandalwood color with a dusky orange border, checks on the body. Paired it with a cotton Odisha ikat blouse.