From the land of Ganeshotsav

For the Maharashtrians who’ve been in Lucknow for almost four generations now, there’s no going back. They don’t need to. They’ve gained and given, they’ve received and contributed... Bhatkhande Music College, the jaimal ceremony, the Ganeshotsav festivities, Lucknow owes it all to them. For the city’s Maharashtra Samaj, this is where their heart is now and where their hearth shall remain evermore.

The Maharashtrian community’s best-known gift to Lucknow has been the Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. But not just Pandit Vishnu Narain Bhatkhande, it’s been Maharashtrians like Ratnajankar, Suley, Sunil Paogi, Govind Natu and Dr NK Natu who have also left an indelible mark on Lucknow’s cultural history.

It was at the 5th All-India Music Conference in 1925, at Baroda, that Bhatkhande, along with Maharaja of Baroda, decided to set up a College of Music at Lucknow and the following year, the Marris College of Hindustani Music was established. It was later, renamed Bhatkhande University. Bhatkhande used to supervise the work at the college  and even wrote the Kramic Putstaka Malika to be taught here, says former president of the Maharashtra Samaj in Lucknow, SG Gore.

He says, “Bhatkhande continued to work till he fell ill. He passed away in 1933. His disciples, particularly Pt S N Ratnajankar, carried forward his legacy. The Government of India also issued a stamp on Bhatkhande.”

Ratanjankar was the first principal of Marris College and renowned vocalist Govind Natu was also associated with the university.  Maharashtrian Sunil Paogi, conferred with the title of Surmani, is the only exponent of guitar who teaches classical ragas at the college today. His contribution to modern Hindustani music is regarded as extraordinary.

Dr NK Natu of Raja Bazar is another well-known Maharshtrian in Lucknow while, DM Paranjape, great grandson of Lokmanya Bal Gangadar Tilak, also leads a quiet life in the city.

The Maharashtra Samaj has contributed to Lucknow in the field of art, culture, literature and social service. They have been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in the city since 1921.

Former president of Maharashtra Samaj in Lucknow, SG Gore says, “There are more than 300 Maharashtrian families in Lucknow. We enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi with people of other communities.”

Gore adds, “The Maharashtra Samaj was set up in 1921 and a small Ganesh puja was conducted by its then president Chitale.  In fact, the then, national leader, Bal Gangadhar Tilak felt that the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi helped create unity and could be utilised to create awareness about Swaraj. Thereafter, the Maharashtrians celebrated the festival with great gusto in Lucknow as well.”

And, every year, on Ganesh Chaturthi, despite their own problems, the Maharashtrians collected money for the Freedom Movement.

With time Ganeshotsav became popular in Lucknow. Today, it is celebrated in various localities including Katara Maqboolganj, Mawaiyya, Narhi, Gomti Nagar, Aminabad, Indira Nagar, Aliganj and Geeta Bhavan. The Maharshtra Samaj particularly organises a huge function in Katara Maqboolganj.  A special idol of Lord Ganesha is brought from Sangli in Maharashtra for the purpose. Plays, kirtans and other cultural shows mark the 11-day festivities.

Dr Jayant Vaishampayan says, “We are proud to be Maharashtrian Lucknowites. We owe a lot to this city and have been here for the last four generations. This this city has given us name, fame and money.”

As regards, local rituals adopted by the Maharashtrians he says, “Maharshtrians also celebrate local festivals like Holi with great gusto. But, possibly the North Indians have learnt more from us for example, the jaimal ceremony during marriages was not prevalent amongst the north Indians but after watching us they have adopted it. Some people also recitate our Mangalashtak.” Many youngsters are also marrying outside their community as well.

The Maharshtrians are surely very much at home in Lucknow.