Village yatras and festivals are the foundation of Maharashtra's culture, says Ashish Shelar
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said village fairs and festivals sustain Maharashtra's heritage, social unity and rural economy, at the release of three State Gazetteer volumes.
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Yatras and festivals celebrated in villages are not merely religious or entertainment events. State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said they are key pillars of Maharashtra's rich cultural tradition, social unity and rural economy. According to him, the cultural life of rural society is enriched by village deities, folk arts, dance, music, traditions and everyone's participation.
Shelar was speaking at the release of volumes of the State Gazetteer published by the Gazetteers Department of the Maharashtra government's Cultural Affairs Department. On the occasion, he released the volumes "Yatra va Utsav: Konkan Vibhag", "Yatra va Utsav: Paschim Maharashtra" and "Vaidik Jalvidnyan".
The minister said that while preserving these traditions, it is also necessary to ensure all-round development of villages and strengthen modern facilities.
He said village yatras and festivals are an inseparable part of a village's cultural identity. Through these festivals, many aspects of traditional art, dance, music and folk life reach the next generation. In yatras, villagers come together, mutual bonds grow stronger and the sense of collective participation increases. Shelar also said that if these traditions are documented and studied, Maharashtra's cultural heritage can be preserved more effectively.
According to Shelar, the link between yatras and festivals is not limited to faith and tradition. They create employment opportunities for local artists, craftsmen, small traders and service providers, which also gives momentum to the rural economy. He expressed the view that promoting these traditions while encouraging local art and handicrafts is the need of the hour.
The volumes, which collect information on yatras, festivals and cultural traditions from different regions of Maharashtra, will be useful for researchers, experts, students and those working in the cultural sector. The publication carries special significance in documenting Maharashtra's cultural wealth and passing it on to future generations.
Dr Sayali Pimple, executive editor and secretary of the Gazetteers Department, was present at the event. Researcher-authors Dr Anita Rane, Dr Suvarna Chavare, Dr Balsekar and Dr Prachi Moghe, Maharashtra State Sahitya Akademi secretary Sachin Nimbalkar, officials concerned, experts and invitees were also present.
