He came, he recited poems, and he conquered! Superstar Amitabh Bachchan on Sunday mesmerised 20,000 or so literature lovers in Pune. He not only expressed gratitude to Maharashtra and its people for everything he has gained in life, but he also recited some poems by his father, the late Harivansh Rai Bachchan, which had the audience spellbound.
Bachchan was in Pune to attend the concluding session of the three-day all-India Marathi literary conference. Addressing the gathering, he said, “I consider myself part of Maharashtra. This state has given me name, fame, home, wife, children and even criticism, which is necessary for one’s life.
“Whatever I am at present has been due to Maharashtra. In my 68 years, I have lived in Mumbai for 41. And I consider myself part of this glorious state.”
Jnanpith Award winner for Sanskrit literature Satyavrat Shastri was the chief guest at the function. Conference president Da Bhi Kulkarni, Sahitya Mahamandal president Kautikrao Thale-Patil, and reception committee chairman Satish Desai were also present. Chief minister Ashok Chavan skipped the function though the invite said he would be the chief guest.
Lauding Pune’s contribution to literature, art, and culture in the past, Bachchan said the city would be known for these things in the future, too. “Pune is the heart of Marathi literature and culture,” he said, hailing the contribution of poet-saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdeo, Eknath, Tukaram and Ramdas. “Not many know that I had decided to make Jaya my wife in Pune,” he revealed. Bachchan also paid tribute to the late Vinda Karandikar.
