Hundreds of Marathi magazines are published monthly in India, and each one comes up with a special, thick edition for Diwali. There is no way I can read all of them, nor do I want to read them, since not all of them are literary. All of you Marathi lit enthusiasts, If you want to read only five literary magazines, which ones would you choose?

Being in a place far away from home, my begging bowl as far as Diwali ank's are concerned is empty. I will look forward to hearing from other AS members who are lucky enough to get their hands on any of these.

“Diwali Ank” is an inseparable event with Maharahstra household and every year we look forward to get the hands on the fresh copies to add joy with the lights of “Deepak”. You asked for five specific anks; but since I already have booked the special scheme presented by “Majestic Book Stall”, I will be having six from them and they are “Mouj”, “Deepawali”, “KaalnirNay”, “Akshar”, “Maharashtra Times”, and “Anubhav” plus DinDarshika and one latest book of Anil Avachat…..all in Rs.450/-.

“Lalit”, “Sakal”, “Kistrim” are part of annual subscription, so naturally I will have their inclusion in the list. “Awaaz” and “Kathashri” can find their places depending upon the availability of proper funds (lol…). But, of course, there are ample chances to have as many as possible with the Nagar Vachan Mandir as I am a bonafide member of the library.

But no place for special Diwali issues of those glossy filmy magazines.

sakal, akshar, mauj..are sort of compulsions.

And then I will leave two spaces blank untill I hear the under the radar buzz..for example last year Satish Naik edited Chinha which was dedicated to Gaitonde. I was compelled to steal it. It was quite a tragic thing. I still hide it in my closet out of sheer fear of getting caught.


Meghana Pethe edits Shabda and for last two years it is doing well. Shabdalay by Sumati Lande, Riturang by someone someone are good at times.. Some dark horses because of the subjects they select are good treats. So don't decide on famous five in a hurry, I would say.

kalanirnay and antarnad..are must-reads for non-literary reasons.

Indraraj, indiego, thank you for you suggestions. I am also glad to see that there is some overlap of titles, so that is a good sign.
I am putting Mauj, Sakal, and Akshar on my list for now.
Anything else?
Anyone else?

Moon….Indiego…MSunit….and Angur too….I wish all of you to think adding ‘LALIT’ Diwaali in this year’s purchase of Ank….as this one is a special “Shri Pu Bhagwat” and you will have nothing but sheer delight of reading from him and received by him…especially correspondence.

Sadly, this very issue is not available in open market, so all you have to do is to register your copy in advance with Majestic at Shani-Paar.

Try it.

I would also check Sadhana, Atarnaad, Lalit, Hans, loksatta, Lokprabha

Thanks Angur, and indraraj.
MS, the libraries in India resell or give away their diwali anks, so may be on the next trip home, you can pick some.

Moonstruck..Diwali ank is such an interesting phenomena. My mom used to say, we have *hausmauj* (fun) in Diwali and she would say haus- like Hans. (A Diwali magazine meaning swan). So still its a family-joke..Diwali aahe, Hans-Mauj karuya (Its Diwali, lets read Hans and Mauj, and have fun)



Ok. My translations qualify for *suckawesome* (copyright. TM) category.

It sucks so bad that it is awesome. Only other example of suckawesome ™ is Himesh Reshamiya.

Man this thread is making me miss Diwali at home now
Guys , at least publish the photographs of the front-pages of the Diwali Anks here on AS !

Listening to the discussions on Diwali Ank – eventually before publication and/or after publication – has always been a great delight for me, especially when seniors/elders visit our home in and around Diwali vacation and I remember my noting down various titles of many Diwali issues. Of course the seniors did not allow me and couple of my friends directly into the topics under consideration, but they incidentally did allow to have those anks for our reading afterwards. Here I had delight of “Hans, Mohini and Naval” the trio had always been an inseparable part of the purchase. But, “Deepawali”, “Mouj”, “Lalit”, “Akshar”, “Sadhana”, “M.Times”, have their names at upper stall throughout the years of publication. “Awaaz” too has its own place for its exclusiveness of light feature; so are “Dhananjay” and “Chandrakant” for the inclusions of novels of new talents.

Notwithstanding, for the last couple of years Anks devoted to “Health & Care” have gotten significant recognition at sale-windows. I myself have not yet read any one of this slot, but the vendors are seemingly happy with the display of these kinds of stuff recently. I wonder that Maharashtrians are seriously taking this issue of health-care in this fast-paced “mobile” era.

I am guessing ....

"Ma. Taa." has a the photograph of the latest female sensetion from Bollywood on it front page.
"Mauj" has a portrait in oil
"Deepawali" might have a Dalal (not sure about this).
"Lalit" has a Saravate cartoon on the top.
"Aawaz" has some risque Dnyanesh Sonar "Khidaki" (Do they still have the Kachhua Chhap "Khidaki" ads ?)
Maarmik and Saamna would have Thakre "pecial" (no marks for guessing)
"Akshar" will haev some abstract painting.

About the content :

"Sadhana" would have a series of articles protesting globalization/urbanization/communalization
"Mauj" would have at least one article by the wife of a over-the-hill author (wonder whose turn it is)
"Ma. Taa" and "Kaal-Nirnay" would be painfullly glossy.
If "Naval" really is getting published even now, it will be incomplete without Narayan Dharap.

What a fascinating thread

These pop-up risque cartoons are the only things I remember about Aawaz Diwali Ank.

thanks for the recos, folks.

Yes Dee….no Marathi home (with at least up to a certain degree of educational environment) would feel “Diwali” as fulfilled without the smell of new Diwali Special Magazine besides those n number of dishes women-folk prepare for the occasion. I do not have perfect idea about this feature with Urdu speaking population and you can update the ASers on this thread whether there are special issues of Urdu magazines on the eve of Eid and similar events.

The masters in the Marathi literature way back from the era of V.S.Khandekar, N.S.Phadke, G. A. Kulkarni, P.L.Deshpande, V.V.Shirwadkar, Karandikar, Padgaonkar, Bapat, Khanolkar, Durga Bhagwat, Indira Sant to the modern musketeers namely Bharat Sasane, Jategaonkar, Milind Bokil, Meghana Pethe et al….have their career in literature started only with the publication of their creations through these “Diwali Ank”. Thanks to the editors concerned who have kept this admirable tradition even under the threats and bombarding of TV channels, multiplex, mobile, computer and other available entertainment. There are quite a large number of local libraries where you can easily witness people registering their claims in circular system for reading these annual issues of Diwali Special.

“Diwali” Magazines and contents (even sketches, artistic covers, glossy photos, cartoons…..as M.Sunit mentioned above) have always been a miraculous topic for debate….and people/readers enjoy the discussion days and days after the Diwali vacation.

Bee Madam….We would like to read something about this cultural tradition with your country – Pakistan.

I thought Anand Vinayak Jategaonkar was much more senionr than the folks you have "booked" him with ?

What "maal" have you got , so far ?

Yes, I agree without any reservation that Jategaonkar is rather misfit in today’s genre; but nevertheless he was among those who drove the cart after the innings of Shree Da Panvalkar, Vidyadhar Pundalik, Di. Ba. Mokashi, Kamal Desai, so therefore he was not a “Bradman” in those days of Satyakatha.

What "maal" have you got , so far ? – Sorry I fear I missed the googly in the sentence, so would you mind clearing the riddle, especially that “maal”?

Arre means , are any issues out yet ? Have you purchased/borrowed any yet ?

This is in the spirit of Prem Chopra talking to other badman ... "KayKay, kyaa bandar mein maal aa gayaa hai?"

Ooops….what a dude I’m really to miss the meaning of “maal”. No, not yet…I mean there are “chillar” kinds here and there, but most are relating with “Fate”, "Yoga" and “Health” as if entire population is interesting only in these substances. This evening, I asked the area book-supplier where I have booked my quota of anks, and he assured the delivery by next Friday….so let us hope.

I have not seen the KalanirNay ank. What does it contain?

My favourite DivaLi ank is non-literary: Ruchi Palat. The AnnapoorNa ank pales in comparison to the range and depth of the food-related articles of the former.

Is there any devoted solely to short stories?

Veena

MS, you can see pictures of some of them on this site. They have cover photos for the 2001 issues.

Veena

Veena jee....barring few, the majority of Diwali issues are devoted to Short-stories and poetry too. You may not find in those heaps of anks on stalls any particular one exclusively published for short stories. But there are many where you can find, observe, enjoy, criticize and discuss the merit-demerits of the stories presented for Diwali environment. If you wish to have couple of titles of this range, then go for "Mouj", "Deepavali" "Akshar", "Kathastri" and "Hans" in first place....these are still widely famous for short stories of Class...and that too contributed from the esteemed names in Marathi literature.

Enjoy.

I guess there must be. However I am not the best person to tell you as I have not been to Pakistan since I was a child oh so very long ago.

btw I meant it when I said this is a fascinating thread. It is good to hear about celebrations in other cultures. Just goes to show how much we all like having fun.

Many of Marathi's *usual suspects* write for Kalnirnay's Marathi diwali ank. So it does not matter if it is literary or not, its a must-read because friends will discuss it and will quote the references. Same is with Antarnaad. Between the two, Antarnaad is more literary.

There are 2 versions of Aawaz diwali ank. One, obviously by late Shri. Madhukar Patkar & another by Marathi Patrakar Parishad...I guess. [or Marathi Sahitya Parishad..?]

Anybody ever tried ManShakti?

I wish if all old Diwali issues of Satyakatha, Mauj, Lalit, Abhiruchi were available...!
[why only diwali issues? In fact they all should have been available.]


I remember my childhood..how we all used to fight to get hold of diwali anks. Aai.. Baap ani amhi chaar pore...!

I really miss those days.

Count me (and I am sure there are many…) in your wish of availability of the bound volumes of these issues. So far only Kothawales have provided us with “Lalit” yearly volumes. Its 44th year of Lalit’s publication, and if you wish you can have all these bound-volumes by placing order directly with editor of Lalit at “8, Phoenix, 3rd Floor, 457, SVP Road, Girgaon, Mumbai-400004”….its worth.

It really would be a treasure. I have been reading Lalit since I was in school and used to love the wonderful articles in it especially about artists and writers around the world. I still remember an article about Salvador Dali in one of the issues. Lalit should be given credit for introducing all these artists to Marathi readers.
In Lalit Diwali ank, Vasant Sarvate's article about some cartoonist used to be a major attraction.
Sadly, I feel Lalit is not the same today. I don't know if that's a general observation or just my feeling.

No Angur….Lalit still maintains the old grandeur with novel ideas and glossy presentation which is very apt, considering the present genre and tastes. “Lalit” must stay with us despite the growing threat of hammering media. Ok…let us agree that there is no such parallel to J.Dalvi’s “ThaNThaNpaaL” any more, but “Punekar” and “Tappu Sultan” surely have carried the cart ahead on the same path and that too in more informative manner rather than personal “chimate” the former was principally known for.

Yours mentioning Salvador Dali is a kind of recognition to Lalit’s exclusiveness in presenting various articles which otherwise we couldn’t have gotten elsewhere. Same goes with the extraordinary feature entitled “Sourabh” by none other than master Govind Talwalkar. He is running 85 and yet is able to give us wide spectrum of worldly things especially relating with literature.

Besides, I enjoy mostly the advertisements of newly published books from other renowned publishers and also those report-writings of the representative spread all over the Maharashtra and I can get whats going on all over as far as Marathi literature is concerned.

You said, “Sadly, I feel Lalit is not the same today. I don't know if that's a general observation or just my feeling.”

“Lalit” even today, is the only magazine of its own identity; and there is no need to feel sad about its present status, if you wish you can relate directly to Ashok Kothawale whatever discrepancies you so far observed or what would you like to see or read in Lalit, and his team is very receptive in this matter.…You have been enjoying this monthly since your school days and I am sure you will have its honey all the years ahead.

Indraraj, I am really glad to know you feel this way. It must be some change in me then, which made me feel that way.

Indraraj said ,



So what is this identity supposed to be ?

Granted that Lalit ran many columns , including those of Thanthanpaal, Shanta Shelke and later, folks like Subhash Bhende. Most of the "happenings" in the tiny literary world of Marathi used to be captured in Lalit. I remember columns like "Gambheer and Gamtidar" etc. that used to provide valuable insights, especially to a novice like me.


But on the contrary, I must say that Lalit was (and probably still is) a publication catering to the so-called urban middle class people. A popular publication through the 60's , I dont remember it actually showed the reflection of the vibrant times of the 60's. A lot of new, strong literary movements took place in the 60;s. The Dalit Literarure cast its shadow on the 70's. I doubt if publications like Lalit underwent any major transformations during these times. It neither had the elite perspective of "Mauj" and it obviously wasn't representing the "Young turks".

There is no denying the fact that Lalit has been an important witness and archieve of the times of the Modern Marathi Literature past 60's ; but at the same time we can acknowledge the fact that its prime role cannot be stretched beyond serving as a staple-diet to the urban middle class readership.

Well, Jayavant Dalvi to Mukund Taksale...the journey is self-explanatory. Just to give you one example of change, Angur. Well, I mean change in you.

Indiego, you should try writing an 'Indiego Uwach' column in Lalit

And you should try your own "Anguriche Bol.....Kuch khatte...Kuch mithay"....Lalit will have new exciting features all the way with your extra-ordinary style.

chhe..anguriche bol faar tar 'amrut' kinva 'kumar' madhe chaltil.

Baap re….mhanaje malaa aata “Amrut” aani “Kumar” chi vaarshik vargani bharali paahije…jar Anguri che bol vaachavayache asatil tar…aani mazyajawal tevdha pocket-money naahi Madam!! Instead I wish to read her on AS pages only….she sparkles here also and that too on daily basis.

Before we can all pack Dalwi with everyone else of the mediocre variety, I do want to mention that there was an element in his writing that would haunt me for a long time. It was as if there were 2 men writing with the same name. Dalwi the comic and Dalwi the writer of "Runanubandh" "Vedgal" and the likes. I didnt care for the former but I wish I could hold a discussion about the later Dalwi with someone. He had the rare insight among Marathi authors to capture the ugliness , the misery and the absurdness of our existance. One of his plays "Sparsh" deals with the feelings of a woman suffering from leprosy. Remarkable work. His portrayal of the people living on the verge of what the majority called as madness is very compassionate, poignant. ("Barrister"). But it looks like, Dalwi, like many of the characters of his , has quickly become outdated.

MSunit and Anjali….here is an abstract kind of report of “Diwalii Ank” flooding now on stalls to make the next month shine in dazzling manners. Barring few, I myself have not yet gotten the chance to see all these anks, therefore this report is based mainly on the article of Raviprakash Kulkarni in Sakal.

Enjoy :

1. “Tanishka”, “Maher”, “Aapale Ghar” : All the articles representing various segments of literature viz. novel, short stories, poems, travelogues are written by females. Interesting presentation.
2. “Sahityapremi” : This exclusive Diwali special is prepared by Sahitapremi Bhagini Mandal in Pune…and its almost carbon copy of “Manini”…naturally!
3. “Miloon Saryajani” has, by now, established its own identity in more creditable style. “To whom the home belongs” shall be the major attraction of this issue, besides interview of Vasundhara Komakali is an added attraction.
4. “Vihar” also shows keen observations on female achievements in various fields. Article on Sunita Williams by none other than her father is a kind of must read.
5. “Chandrakant” & “Dhananjay” have already arrived as promised by its editor Shri Rajendra Kulkarni. Shri Prabhakar Pendharkar’s “Eka Studioche Atmavritta” in Dhananjay, is surely going to be an article to reckon widely. Whereas “Chandrakant” is dominated by recognized painters namely Vasudeo Kamat, K.B.Kulkarni, Rajadhyakshya.
6. “Mouj” of this year is, but naturally, dominated by articles on Late Shri Shree Pu Bhagwat and we all are eagerly awaiting the issue.
7. “Chinha”. The editor board must be commended because it is devoted only to subject of painting and this year you will have articles from Prabhakar Kolate and “Chitrakar Gayatonde”. Yashwant Mulay, Yatish Naik, Shaym Sawant are few other names in this extra-ordinary issue of Diwalii Ank….not to be missed.
8. “Ityaadi” published by Manovikas Publication shall have AK Hangal’s interview and Dr.Ravi Bapat’s “Mee Pahilele Pudhari”
9. “Nava Manoos” has an unique article by Raju Parulekar who laboriously has gathered the thorough information of working system of four major editors of dailies in Mumbai whereas Pratima Joshi is going to give us life and working style of 20 female volunteers throughout Maharashtra.
10. “Riturang” shall have articles on such stalwarts namely Shamshad Begum, Indra Nuyee, Amrita Shergil, Sarojini Naidu, Mai Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar.
11. “Shabd” is edited by Meghana Pethe – Do you wish to know more about this very special by your favourite author?

Ok…Enough for the time being….if you wish, more shall be supplied.

Thanks lot for this needed help. Gonna get those all soon...!

Long back I had enquired about SatyaKatha old issues' availability thro' one my good friend [Bhacha of Sriniwas Vinayak Kulkarni]. Unfortunately, there is no such provision made by Mauj.

hehe..Indiego ugichach..would be an apt title.


(Instead of *thus spoke indiego* column, *indiego without any rhyme or reason* would be a better column, methinks.)

Mouj never would consider providing that kind of pleasure to Satyakatha readers as the personnel over there have been living with their own rules and regulations....even "Sonyacha Pimpal"kar Shri Shriniwas Vinayak Kulkarni who enjoyed at least couple of years under the wing of great Bhagwats; may not convince them to think in the direction.

However, I do know Mouj Kacheri has its own record of all previous issues of Satyakatha in yearly bound-volumes (though not for distribution) and if you seek the permission through Shri SV Kulkarni, I think the management of Mouj would surely grant you the required licence to study/read/note the treasure in Satyakatha, provided you agree to stay in the Mouj Library for the very purpose.

Best Luck.

Warning - I may have told this story before!

Many years ago, I was looking for a couple of books Mouj had published, now long out of print. I went to their office in Girgaum and Mr. Bhagwat readily had them copied for me from the sole copies he had at the office, with a very nice binding, at quite a reasonable rate. Also gave me R B Patankar's "Apoorna Kranti" that had just come out and I remember a most interesting conversation with him about it, and about science fiction in Marathi.

Several libraries in Mumbai have the entire Satyakatha collection. I have referred to two of them.

SNDT University Mumbai and Bombay Univ. library have Satyakatha volumes. I am sure Jaykar in Pune will have it too. Mouj office ofcourse will have them.

Satyakatha was no little magazine that it would vanish.

Great anecdote, Fran....and certainly reveals one of the most admiring qualities Late Shri Bhagwat ever known for among other things. I heard many such stories from number of fellows who used to go to Mumbai even for other purposes. I wish you to read "Mauj" & "Lalit" issues of this Diwali special to know more respectful things about greatman.

Your mentioning of RB Patankar, pulled me back to a seminar in city library where the speaker (I forgot her name...but may be Vijaya Rajadhyaksha....not sure) was admiring Late Bhagwat more than the writer Patankar.....why so? Because whatever principle and logic Patankar put in his Sahitya Akedemy prize winner volume "SoundaryaShastra", it was against the belief and thinking of Bhagwat, yet Sri Pu did know the value of the book and encouraged Patankar to go ahead and it was published under "Mouj" emblem....rest is history.

Yes Indi…it did cross my mind before submitting the reply to Lampan’s request. I was on the verge of mentioning couple of names of libraries from both Mumbai and Pune; however since I do not have idea of his present whereabouts or whether it would be possible for him to visit those places or otherwise, I thought better to mention only the original resource at Girgaon since earlier he had informed us about his contact with Shrinivas Vinayak Kulkarni who himself is well attached with inner circle.

Certainly “Satyakatha” would never vanish from the memory of readers as it has its own precious place in the history of Marathi Literature.

In Goa for DivaLii. Today's Marathi newspaper announced that the DivaLii issues had hit the stands at Varsha Book Stall. They had a limited selection as all of them have not arrived yet. They had about 10-12 different titles, but none of the cream of the crop. He is expecting another consignment tonight. I picked up these three today:

1_ Dainik Goa Doot. Notable articles in here are Svargiiya Svaraancha Abhisheki - Jitendra Abhisheki by Pt. Prabhakar Karekar, Pu. La.nchya Saahityatiil Saamanya MaNoos (The common man in Pu. La.'s saahitya) - by Dr. Vitthal Thakur, and an interesting article on phov (poha) - Hey Saanskritik VighaTnach. There are three prize-winning articles from an essay competition held specially for this issue, short stories, a special section called Gele karaayache te raahunii (on unfulfilled dreams and ambitions), poems, and horoscope predictions for the next year.



2. ChaTpaTeet - The cover speaks for itself.



3. This one is for my mother. It is published by the daily Kannada newspaper, PrajavaaNi. It comes with a free booklet on home gardening.



More tomorrow...

Veena

Thanks Veena. Those front pages bring the 2007 Diwali closer to home. I look forward to others posting pics too.

I have joined Aksharsparsh's diwali ank library, but nothing has come to them yet. Of course, I'll still buy a few selected ank, as I don't want to wait to get hold of them, but I will get to read a lot of others in the library later

Dubey's interview in Saptahik Sakal..

Signature Dubegiri at its best.

Interview by Madhav Vaze? That's so typical of sA.sa.
and an article by Anil Awchat?

Anil Awachat these days is a *ratra thodi songa far* and *palichi Magar* phenomena. But Madhav Vaze's wicket by Dubey is lakshNiya.


( These days Anil Awachat, a Marathi reportage writer/ famous author writes long essays about things that are (at times) not worthy of the length of his essays. The way in which Satyadev Dubey has nonplused Vaze, his interviewer and famous Marathi play-critic is just amazing to read.! This is not a verbatim translation of what I have written in quasi-ingrathi, but this is what it means in *plain English* !)