getting their kids admitted in English and specifically convent schools than before. This was also the time the US immigration wave really took off and in the mid 90's it was almost impossible to find a house in the zipcode where at least one child was not in the US as an IT
engineer. I have spent time with Indians from all states in the US and for some reason, I found we were pretty much the only people who almost felt ashamed of Marathi and did not see anything wrong with their kids not knowing Marathi. In fact it was almost a matter of pride.
So that generation was wiped out.
Coming back to the kids in Pune, in 8th standard, the "smart" kids got a chance to switch from Marathi to German as it was a high scoring subject. So for all practical purposes, reading Marathi was done and over with.
The schools made it
Coming back to the kids in Pune, in 8th standard, the "smart" kids got a chance to switch from Marathi to German as it was a high scoring subject. So for all practical purposes, reading Marathi was done and over with.
The schools made it
mandatory to speak English in school at all times and strongly encouraged kids to speak in English at home also so they would become "fluent" in it.
Basically being smart= good in Maths and being cool=speaking "phad phad" English.
As more and more people from Pune 4 started
Basically being smart= good in Maths and being cool=speaking "phad phad" English.
As more and more people from Pune 4 started
getting out of their shell, eg becoming members and frequenting clubs like Boat Club and Poona Club, it became even more "imperative" to speak polished English.
Typically Fergusson, BMCC and Symbiosis had most of their students from this side of town (Punekars) while the Campt
Typically Fergusson, BMCC and Symbiosis had most of their students from this side of town (Punekars) while the Campt
crowd (Puneites) stayed in Wadia's. Somewhere in the 90's the campe crowd started joining these colleges.
That made it even more embarrassing for the "kars" to speak Marathi in college. I mean the last thing you wanted was to be known as the "ghati who speaks Marathi" or
That made it even more embarrassing for the "kars" to speak Marathi in college. I mean the last thing you wanted was to be known as the "ghati who speaks Marathi" or
"the guy who cannot speak English"
I had a friend who would put on a massive accent when he spoke to the girls who came from the ISCE schools with a blue or green uniform (@NupurDaveAuthor cough) because only they were cool.
As this trend pretty much became permanently
I had a friend who would put on a massive accent when he spoke to the girls who came from the ISCE schools with a blue or green uniform (@NupurDaveAuthor cough) because only they were cool.
As this trend pretty much became permanently
entrenched in society, where even speaking Marathi was "uncool", it was impossible to expect these kids to read or listen to anything Marathi.
It was not just this. The cable industry and movie industry had taken off and Marathi serials and movies dropped in quality big time.
It was not just this. The cable industry and movie industry had taken off and Marathi serials and movies dropped in quality big time.
No longer were Laksha and Ashok Saraf known for their roles in movies like Ashi hi Banwa Banvi or Thartharat.
They had moved onto the richer roles in Hindi movies. The seriels like 1-0-0 were replaced by Wonder Years or Doogie Houser MD for kids and Santa Barbara and Bold
They had moved onto the richer roles in Hindi movies. The seriels like 1-0-0 were replaced by Wonder Years or Doogie Houser MD for kids and Santa Barbara and Bold
and Beautiful for young adults.
In all this literary greats like Pu La, Ga Di Ma etc took a complete back seat.
Parents were too busy running their kids schedule of tennis, piano classes, private tuitions etc to read their work or play it on the music system.
In all this literary greats like Pu La, Ga Di Ma etc took a complete back seat.
Parents were too busy running their kids schedule of tennis, piano classes, private tuitions etc to read their work or play it on the music system.
The economic policies led to the advent of Western commodities so on a daily basis, US products like Coke/Pepsi and Pizza Hut/McDonalds were replacing Thumbs up/Gold Spot and Supreme Pizza/Joshi wadewale.
In all this, it was impossible to expect young adults to read/listen to
In all this, it was impossible to expect young adults to read/listen to
Pu La.
The trend of immigration went higher and the vicious cycle became worse.
Over the years, I feel the development of our nation, the advent of the internet and cable, lack of exposure to rural life, the social pressure to be PC reduced the type of social, linguistic
The trend of immigration went higher and the vicious cycle became worse.
Over the years, I feel the development of our nation, the advent of the internet and cable, lack of exposure to rural life, the social pressure to be PC reduced the type of social, linguistic
financial situations and personalities which made Pu La's work so great.
Even I have to remind myself of how bad the electricity scene was to truly enjoy Antu Barva.
In the times of AC cars and Volvo buses, it is tough to understand the difficulties of a "lal dubba" and the
Even I have to remind myself of how bad the electricity scene was to truly enjoy Antu Barva.
In the times of AC cars and Volvo buses, it is tough to understand the difficulties of a "lal dubba" and the
calamity when it it hits a "mhais".
Weddings now take place at JW and Ritz more often than at a "karyalay" where there is a "pangat". As such "event managers" have replaced the household "Narayan".
There are barely any bunglows on Prabhat Road. A "Chaal" is nearly impossible to
Weddings now take place at JW and Ritz more often than at a "karyalay" where there is a "pangat". As such "event managers" have replaced the household "Narayan".
There are barely any bunglows on Prabhat Road. A "Chaal" is nearly impossible to
locate in Mumbai. As such, "Batyatyachi Chaal" is almost redundant.
All these factors have played a huge role in the elimination of Marathi greats like Pu La from the average Maharashtrian household in Pune. The works of British authors and poets is read largely because it is
All these factors have played a huge role in the elimination of Marathi greats like Pu La from the average Maharashtrian household in Pune. The works of British authors and poets is read largely because it is
included in the school curriculum.
Authors like Charles Dickens and Jeffery Archer are read because they write in English or their novels are more contemporary in background.
If you think about it, how many youngsters even know who PGW is? Again a victim of the fact that his
Authors like Charles Dickens and Jeffery Archer are read because they write in English or their novels are more contemporary in background.
If you think about it, how many youngsters even know who PGW is? Again a victim of the fact that his
novels are set in times long since passed and hence difficult to relate to for them.
It is sad but I feel all we can do is try and educate our children on who all these greats were. May be encourage them to listen to their work.
But it is going to be difficult for them to
It is sad but I feel all we can do is try and educate our children on who all these greats were. May be encourage them to listen to their work.
But it is going to be difficult for them to
truly follow, understand and enjoy their work.
Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts on my analysis/hypothesis.
#Pune #Marathi #PuLa #21stcentury #newage
Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts on my analysis/hypothesis.
#Pune #Marathi #PuLa #21stcentury #newage
Cc: @ksinamdar @sumrag please vacha!
Cc: @muglikar_ @c_aashish
@vikramsathaye as a stand up comedian, do share your thoughts on this, Pu La, how he influenced you and whether you would ever do Marathi stand up comedy!
CC: @karhacter on your next podcast, you should quiz @Gampa_cricket about Pu La! ;-)
@dhanashree0110 @MitalPatankar @PuneriPaltan @mi_puneri @PuneriSpeaks @puneriboka Give this a read and share your thoughts.
