Pune: First Deewan Ghazal-Kara of Maharashtra Gets Recognition In ‘India Book of Records’ for ‘Maximum Ghazals Authored in a Single Book in Marathi Language’

It is a single book in the Marathi Language containing all the ghazals and poems canvassing varied topics of emotions like Romance, Familial Bonds, Devotion towards God, etc.

29 April 2024

By Ishika Kumar

Meena Sanjay Shinde, a resident from Park Street locality in Wakad, was awarded by the “India Book of Records 2024” on 21st April, for authoring the maximum number of Ghazals in a single book in the Marathi Language. This is not only a proud moment for Pimpri Chinchwad residents and the Kulwantwani Samaj, but also for the Marathi community and all Indians. 

Meena has published 171 Ghazals in her book, “DEEWAN-A-MEENA”. It is a single book in the Marathi Language containing all the ghazals and poems canvassing varied topics of emotions like romance, familial bonds, devotion towards God, etc. She is a renowned Ghazal-Kara in Maharashtra and is famous for her poetry. There have been events across Pune and other places in Maharashtra and India in her prestige. 

In 2022-23 her book was published with 250+ copies sold, and with support from friends and family, her application for the India Book for Records was verified by evaluating her book and was awarded post verification. She has written many books of Marathi poetry, around 10-plus, using pure Marathi language for every work of hers. Conventionally, Ghazals are written in the Urdu or Hindi languages, and it is very rare for the Marathi language to be used to write Ghazals. There are very few people doing this, with her being the only woman to do so. 

This achievement is her biggest feat in five years. She has received many awards but this certainly brings immense glory to all Maharashtrians and Indians, with women empowerment via achievement in off-beat fields or niches. Some of the Ghazals published have been sung by singers for a short film called, ‘चंद्र उगवला भुईवर’, which means ‘The Moon Rose Above the Ground’. 

While talking to The Pune Pulse, she mentioned her Ghazals conveying certain messages; in the way romantic songs about one’s ‘Piya’ or beloved are sung for one’s lover, she has written one of her Ghazals from the perspective of Lord Krishna being her ‘Piya’ and ultimate source of peace. That is how she thinks of him and is reminded of him while sitting on the porch in the evenings. She appeals to Krishna, “I am lost in your thoughts; please direct my mind and heart towards the path of bhakti and devotion only.” 

She has lovingly mentioned him as, ‘Murlidhar’ and explains that there are several ‘Gharanas’ and ‘Khayal’ which need to be kept in mind for the flow of a particular Ghazal. They also end with the last words which need to rhyme in meaning, if not in sound, and should not be repeated in any other Ghazal. This process is unique and associated with her when it comes to Marathi Ghazals.

Her work is influenced by Marathi culture and faith. Since May denotes ‘Krishna-Ritu’ or the month of Lord Krishna, she has mentioned in some Ghazals that the sunlight which shines bright opens to God coming down to earth in the form of rain. ‘Shravan kan-kan hir maajha’ talks about the greenery it brings along, nurturing the earth, and that somewhere, God is present when some pray to a tree, river, sunlight, etc. 

There are CDs of Ghazals which have been written by her, one by Ashish Majumdar, in 2007, and one of them sung by the legendary writer, singer, musician and artist of Marathi cinema, Saleel Kulkarni in 2016. Mrs. Meena has been a part of book readings since 2007 and is regularly invited to programs of ‘Shayari’ and awards as well.

The Deewan–Ghazal book series consists of 76 ghazal books. These are all in Urdu, and hers is the first entry in Marathi. For the India Book of Records, there have been only 3 to 4 entries for Marathi Ghazals, all by men. This makes her the first woman in the category. She also attends to queries and helps people who reach out to her regarding their work in the field, to oversee quality, improve their art or provide guidance. 

When the book was published, there was a live telecast in the Park Street locality, in which Marathi communities from about nine countries including the USA, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. were present, along with Marathi newspapers, a wide international audience and Maharashtra mandals. 

Several YouTubers present their videos and review the book online, they have talked about how proud this feat makes them, and how, in the world of Urdu Ghazals and Poetry, Marathi Ghazals have found their way to the top, in terms of representation. People need to engage in this as well, as it would help in understanding the cultural nuances of Marathi culture, stories and expression through art. 

References:

1) first-hand interviews

 2) series to the previous article –