Children’s poems on lockdown, Mars get writers thinking

NASHIK: The audience at the 94th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan was enthralled by the recitations and participation of children, aged between 5 and 13 years, at the ‘Bal Sahitya Melava’.
Children recited their poems, drew caricatures and made paintings and also interacted with noted Marathi actor, playwright, director Dileep Prabhavalkar, who has to his credit a huge body of literary work as well.
The children, who recited their poems, spelled out what they envisioned of the world and their thoughts. The poem on lockdown that depicted the view that government should take a very broad view in the future before bringing the system to a grinding halt.
Another poem on ‘school on Mars’ was equally enjoyed by the audience as it revealed a very different view — that about having fun times on Mars.
Children were happy to interact with ‘Dilipkaka’, who chaired the sessio. He had asked the children to address him as Dilipkaka and set the ball rolling for a dialogue, instead of giving any lecture to the children.
Then what unfolded was the life sketch of Prabhavalkar — how ‘Bandya Satbande’ – the famous book, which is most sought by the children, was penned by him, what prompted him to write, or act in a films like Chimanrao, Chaukat Raja, Tatya Vinchu, the roles of Aaba played in Shriyut Gangadhar Tiprey and many more.
Prabhavalkar urged the parents to boost the children for presenting their skills. “The children today are very smart and each one has a skill, which needs to be nurtured. The parents have the responsibility to the ensure they provide all support,” he said.