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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Awards for mandals, drone shows: Govt gears up grand celebration of Ganeshotsav
To celebrate the ten-day Ganeshotsav, which begins from August 27, the Maharashtra government is planning to organise an array of programmes including competitions for Ganpati mandals and drone shows. The state government has dedicated around Rs 11 crore for this, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said Friday. In July, the government had announced Ganeshotsav as the state festival. 'As per the government's decision, we have announced awards for Ganesh mandals that adhere to religious traditions and also promote eco-friendly practices. A drone show will be organised at Girgaon Chowpatty. Public spaces across Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Mumbai and other parts of the state will be illuminated to mark the occasion,' Shelar said. From this year, a dedicated digital platform will be created for streaming of prominent temples and sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals across the state. 'We are also introducing schemes to provide financial grants for devotional materials for bhajan mandals during the festival. We are committed to ensuring that the arrival of Lord Ganesha is celebrated with grandeur not only in Maharashtra but also abroad,' the minister said. The state government has issued two government resolutions outlining competitions and various programmes, planning and coordination of which will be carried out by PL Deshpande Kala Academy and the Directorate of Cultural Affairs. As part of the declaration of Ganeshotsav as the state festival, a logo will also be unveiled. Among the events planned for the celebrations are cultural programmes to showcase the state's art, culture and traditions, which will be held not only in Maharashtra, but also in other states and even in select foreign countries with significant Marathi-speaking communities. The government will also provide special recognition to films depicting Ganpati traditions, art and culture. Ganpati-themed postage stamps and coins will be released as part of the celebrations. The government will also arrange transport facilities for domestic and international tourists during the visarjan (immersion) ceremony.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Sword of Maratha Royal Raghuji Bhonsle Returns Home On Aug 18 After 200 Years
1 2 3 Nagpur: A historic sword once wielded by Raghuji Bhonsle-I, founder of Nagpur's Bhonsle dynasty and a key Maratha commander under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, is set to return to India after more than two centuries. The Maharashtra govt secured the 18th-century weapon at a London auction earlier this year, marking one of the state's most significant cultural recoveries. Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar personally took possession of the sword in London on Monday, calling it "a historic victory for Maharashtra". He said the operation was executed with urgency after the sword's sudden listing on April 28. "As soon as I learned about it, I spoke to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. We worked late into the night, coordinating with the Indian high commission and appointing a mediator to bid at Sotheby's on behalf of the govt," Shelar said in a media statement. The royal weapon will arrive at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on August 18 and will be escorted in a bike rally to the P L Deshpande Kala Academy, where it will be unveiled during the "Gad Garjana" programme that evening. It is the second major artefact repatriated by the state after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Wagh Nakh, now housed in Nagpur's Central Museum. The sword is a rare Maratha 'firang' style, combining a European-made straight, single-edged blade with gold-inscribed Devanagari text reading: Shrimant Raghoji Bhonsle Senasahibsubha Firang. The hilt is decorated with intricate 'koftgari' work, while the pommel is wrapped in green cloth. Experts believe it may have left India during the British seizure of the Nagpur treasury after the 1817 Battle of Sitabuldi or as a ceremonial gift to the East India Company. Descendant Mudhoji Bhonsle welcomed the recovery as "a moment of immense pride," noting that the family had always sought the sword's return. He said he was also a bidder in the auction but supported the govt's acquisition. "It is a living emblem of our heritage," he said, offering to reimburse the state for the purchase and requesting the sword be displayed at Nagpur's Ajab Bangla, "where it rightfully belongs." Raghuji Bhonsle, who reigned from 1695 to 1755, was honoured with the title 'Senasahibsubha' for his military conquests, which expanded the Maratha empire deep into Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the south. Historians say the sword's survival, with both its ornamental detailing and owner's name, is rare and provides a tangible link to 18th-century Maratha power and the global arms trade of the era. "Either me or a representative from our family will travel to Mumbai to receive the sword. We will try to bring the sword to Nagpur next month for public viewing. Whether Nagpur will be its final home will be discussed with the state govt," Mudhoji Bhonsle told TOI. "This is the first time Maharashtra has brought back such an important historical artefact through an overseas auction," Shelar said, thanking CM Fadnavis and deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar for their support. "It is a moment of pride and a record in the state's name." Key Facts of Raghuji Bhonsle's Sword Date of Return: August 18 to Mumbai Original Owner: Raghuji Bhonsle I (1695–1755), founder of Nagpur's Bhonsle dynasty Artefact Type: 18th-century Maratha 'firang' sword with European blade Inscription: Gold-inlaid Devanagari — Shrimant Raghuji Bhonsle Senasahibsubha Firang Acquisition: Won by Maharashtra govt in London auction on April 28, 2025 Likely Origin of Departure: Post-1817 Battle of Sitabuldi or as East India Company gift Public Debut: "Gad Garjana" programme, P L Deshpande Kala Academy, Mumbai Future Display Request: Ajab Bangla, Nagpur, as proposed by descendant Mudhoji Bhonsle Historical Significance: Rare surviving Maratha weapon with confirmed ownership engraving Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt to set up research centre for experimental arts in Mumbai, name it after Shahir Sable: Minister Ashish Shelar
Mumbai: Maharashtra govt will set up a research centre at P L Deshpande Kala Academy to facilitate in-depth research and academic study of the state's experimental arts, minister Ashish Shelar said on Thursday. "The independent research centre at P L Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy will be named after the iconic folk artist and Maharashtra Shahir Padma Shri Krishnarao Sable," Shelar told reporters. Balldeer Krishnarao Sable, popularly known as Shahir Sable, was a Marathi folk artist. He sang the iconic 'Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha' song, which govt recognised as the state song in 2023. Sable was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998. "Maharashtra has a rich and glorious legacy of experimental arts. The state's department of cultural affairs has already documented various folk art forms in audio-visual formats through departments of experimental arts across non-agricultural universities. The department possesses vast resources on theatre, folk arts, music, dance and more," Shelar noted. According to the minister, there is a growing need to classify, analyse and conduct academic research on this material. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experts Urge Seniors With Muscle Loss To Take This Key Nutrient Daily Native Creatine Learn More Undo This will benefit undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD students from within Maharashtra and beyond who wish to undertake research in this field. Shelar held a meeting at the Mantralaya, the state secretariat, on Thursday to deliberate on this initiative and instructed the department to prepare a detailed blueprint for the proposed research centre. Speaking after the meeting, he said, "Maharashtra's experimental arts are a matter of great pride for the state. These art forms contain deep historical references that reflect the cultural evolution of Maharashtra. There is a need to explore and research these traditions. Various art forms, including shahiri, powada, jagran, gondhal, tamasha, vag natya, dashavatari, bharud and keertan, have a deep-rooted tradition and carry within them the strength to inspire humanity. It is essential to bring this strength to light through research and study." "When govt decided to establish a dedicated research centre, we also deliberated on a suitable name. Based on the suggestions made by experts in the field, we decided to name the centre after Shahir Krishnarao Sable. Shahir Sable played a pivotal role in the 'Samyukta Maharashtra' movement and was a leading figure in the propagation and promotion of experimental arts," Shelar added. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, it has been decided to name the centre after him, Shelar said.
