A New Marathi Play, “Maharashtra Majha, Mumbai Kunachi” is Creating Ripples!

The new play titled “Maharashtra Majha, Mumbai Kunachi” is currently being widely discussed everywhere. Its subject powerfully connects with the emotions of every Marathi person and every lover of Maharashtra, and is presented in a deeply impactful manner.
Produced by Sanskriti Kala Pratishthan and Lokjagar Natya Sanstha, the play is written and directed by Sandip Jangam. By revisiting various events from the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, this work brings to life the struggles, sacrifices, and proud assertion of Marathi identity from that period.
While watching the play, there are moments when one feels immense pride in the achievements of our forefathers, and at other times, the stories of the martyrs who laid down their lives for Maharashtra and Mumbai move one to tears. Alongside this, the play also underlines the present reality of Maharashtra, and especially the situation of the Marathi person in today’s Mumbai.

This metropolis, built on the hard work of Marathi people who came to Mumbai from villages across the state, is now undergoing rapid change. Against the backdrop of the Marathi masses who once declared with conviction, “Mumbai is our right, it does not belong to anyone’s father,” the play questions today’s situation and compels the audience to think. It also raises the pointed question of how many Marathi people are actually left today in traditionally Marathi neighbourhoods like Girgaon, Lalbaug, Parel, and Dadar.

The director has made highly creative use of the stage, live performance, and a background screen. Notably, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to present certain visuals lends the play a completely new dimension. This treatment offers the audience a fresh, cinematic‑theatre experience. It is especially significant that the narration for this play is by Adesh Bandekar and Uday Sabnis.

The play features music by Rohan Patil and lighting design by Rajesh Shinde. The AI video segments are handled by Prasad Sonawane and Harsh Raut. Singing is performed by Shahir Manohar Golambare and Ravindra Khomne. The powerful performances by Ganesh Jadhav and Sandip Jangam further strengthen the impact of the drama.
The production is bankrolled by Mahesh Bhosale and Sandip Jangam. On the commercial stage, this attempt to handle a distinct and thought‑provoking subject is certainly worthy of appreciation.

Audiences are being urged to experience this unique, content‑rich play, and to make a special effort to show it to the next generation so that they become aware of Maharashtra’s history and sense of identity.

By Keerti Kadam