Mumbai is set to host Maati 9, a vibrant festival celebrating the culture of Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh), on May 16 at the Kalina campus of Mumbai University. The event will feature Awadhi and Bhojpuri songs, stories, and poems from the ghats of Kashi, paintings depicting life in Prayagraj, and regional cuisine.
Dignitaries and Highlights
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and MP Jagdambika Pal are among the dignitaries expected to attend. The festival aims to showcase the unique culture of Purvanchal and explore its Marathi connection, acting as a carnival to bring people from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra closer, according to festival organizer Asif Azmi.
Performances and Art
Sachchidanand Joshi, poet, playwright, and member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), will perform solo with his stories and poems from Kashi. Joshi, who traces his roots to Maharashtra, said, 'I have written stories and poems capturing life on the ghats of Kashi. I will present them as a tribute to the ancient city.' He noted that his family still speaks Marathi at home and he writes plays in both Marathi and Hindi.
Folk singer Padmashree Malini Awasthi will present songs from Purvanchal, including those describing wives waiting for husbands who went to Bombay for work. She will also sing Marathi folk songs, noting that songs praising Shivaji Maharaj are well-received in the Hindi belt despite language differences.
Cultural Bonding
Asif Farooqui, a Bandra resident originally from Azamgarh, expressed enthusiasm: 'Culture and language are agents of bonding. People from Eastern UP will enjoy songs and stories from their native places.' Entry is free with registration on mymaati.org.
