The Maharashtra state cabinet approved the adoption of Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha as the state song. It will officially become the state song on February 19 when the state celebrates the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This will put Maharashtra among the select few states having their own state song.

The Eknath Shinde-led cabinet took the decision in the cabinet meeting on January 31. The decision was taken in keeping with the Centre’s instruction asking every state to have its official song to celebrate the country’s 75th Independence year as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha is known as the state’s Gaurav Geet and Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mugantiwar had hinted at its official adoption saying it has warmth, emotion, and spirit. Following its adoption, it will be played in all official and important state functions.

“In the case of ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Mazha’, the challenge is to compress it into two stanzas from the present three so that it fits into around 1.15 to 1.30 minutes. Even the playing time of the national anthem is just around 52 seconds,” the Cultural Affairs Minister said while adding that its lyrics will not be changed.

‘Bahu Asot Sundar Sampanna Ki Maha,’ by poet Shripad Krishna Kolhatkar, and Mangal Desha, Pavitra Desha by Govindagraj were the other songs in contention. The Marathi patriotic song praises the state of Maharashtra. ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha, Garja Maharashtra Majha’ translates to ‘Glory to Maharashtra’. It was written by Raja Badhe and sung by Balladeer Krishnarao Sable, famously known as Shaheer Sable. Its music was composed by Srinivas Khale.

Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand are the other states having their own state songs.

(Featured Image Source: Tarun Bharat)