The good days for Marathi won't be far if the masses use the language confidently during their day-to-day work along with the classes, said senior artist and critic VB Deshpande.

He was speaking with DNA on the eve of Marathi Bhasha Diwas celebrated on February 27.

He said, "The countries, which have been created on the basis of language, observe February 22 as International Language Day. However, we observe February 27 as Marathi Bhasha Diwas in Maharashtra to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned writer Vi Va Shirwadkar alias Kusumagraj, who was very particular about the use of the language."

We started observing the special day ten years ago as Marathi Bhasha Diwas to preserve the language, he said.

People speak Marathi, however many still cannot write it well, which is a matter of concern, he added.

"What we speak nowadays is 'Mangalish' a mixture of English and Marathi," Deshpande said.

Unless we read, write and listen to the language, we won't be able to preserve it. People should take initiative in preserving the language as preserving it means conserving the culture, tradition and customs, he said.

There should be wide-spread awareness and enlightenment among the people. Observing just a day won't serve the purpose but still the day is vital as it makes you aware, Deshpande said.

If the states have been formed on the basis of language, then why the authorities are not using the language, as it is the official language, he quipped.

He also said that it was not necessary all the time to use literary words or language, but the colloquial language also helped in keeping the language alive. Earlier, Marathi as it is written or spoken in Pune was considered to be the standard version, however today every part of the state has its own dialect and language, he said.

The state too does not have any glossary to carry out its work and thus ends up in using a complex language, he said.

Youth will debate

Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad (MSP)’s Yuva Manch has organised a debate competition for the youth on Friday. The subject of the debate is ‘People’s attitude and the preservation of the language’. Around 40 participants have registered their names, said an MSP official.

VB Deshpande, Marathi critic

“People should take initiative in preserving the language, as preserving it means conserving the culture, tradition and customs.”

Manasi Saraf-Joshi/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication