Marathi Sammelan in Germany

The Marathi Sammelan (get-together) was held by the Marathi Mitramandal, Germany in a resort called Familiendorf, Hübingen on 30th and 31st August 2014. It was a two days event and there was a stay-over at the resort at night. Most of the people had got their cars, but there was also a pick-up arranged from the closest train station called Montabaur to the resort.

The location of the resort was very beautiful, surrounded by mountains and greenery all around with fields as far as your eyes could see. We received the keys at the reception and went to our respective rooms. We got ready and assembled for coffee and cake at about 2:30 pm on Saturday. After fuelling our stomachs, we set off walking to the hall which was situated a little away from the resort. It was a nice walk past the paddy fields and green lush trees. 

The hall was already set for the people with chairs and tables and the stage. An idol of Ganesha was placed in the corner and we all sang aarti and did puja of the idol. After that we all settled in our places and the cultural events started. One by one, people came and enthralled us with their performance. But the highlight was Poonam Shyam and her troupe. She is a Kathak dancer and has her own institute in Zürich. She performed on Powada, owi etc. which was so different from the usual kathak performances. Her friend and disciple, Anne, a German by birth performed the Mohiniattam form of dance and with what grace and splendor. She looked so absorbed in her performance that it didn’t seem that she doesn’t understand the Hindi language in which the songs were played. We all stood up and clapped for them after the performance ended. It was indeed spectacular and we couldn’t stop praising the troupe. 

Then there was a musical performance by a group from Munich. They sang songs for Ganesha and then a melody of the popular songs. A 11 year old boy played tabla and it seems he learns it on Skype from his guru, who stays in the US. Amazing! Where can technology take us!? There were also some solo dance performances by a few girls. Then we all had a delicious dinner with poori, sabji, dal, rice, raita and gulab jamun. It was awesome and the day came to an end for me, at least. There was DJ planned for later, but I had no inclination and energy to be present for the same. 

The next morning we all assembled for breakfast and after finishing it, we headed for the hall again. There we played housie and it was very exciting and hilarious all the way through. People won fantabulous prizes. As expected, I didn’t win any, but it was fun and chaotic and very noisy. Lunch packets were distributed and we all sat and had our lunch there itself. People who had come by train were ready to leave for the station and other people slowly started dispersing. We helped to assemble the chairs in the hall and then left for the room so that we could hand over the keys in time. A Samaritan couple, Kirloskar agreed to drop us at the Frankfurt main station so that we could take train from there and reach Stuttgart in less time.

The event was a great success and we all thanked the organisers for their excellent planning and smooth execution of the program. There were close to 90 people and there were no glitches or problems. We all functioned like one big family gathered for a big ceremony. I may not be able to attend such a big gathering again in Germany, so I was glad that I managed to be at the event. 

I couldn't help noticing a few things. I saw a group of senior citizens there who had come to Germany some 50 years ago and have settled here. All white haired people, but young at heart and very enthusiastic. They were the pioneers for arranging get-togethers for Marathi speaking people. They have now completely integrated in this culture and community and it was amazing to see them switch between German and Marathi very easily. Their kids hadn't come. Maybe they married some Germans and they are no longer in touch with the language and the culture. Then there was another group of people who came here 10 years ago for studying and settled here. And then the majority was of youngsters rather students. They all knew each other from universities or home towns and bonded very quickly. It was me and my mother-in-law who were the odd women out and we couldn’t really gel with either of the groups. Nevertheless, it was a good experience to see and meet so many fellow Indians in a single day. All of them are doing well in Germany and they would perhaps even settle here for good like many others. 

This particular thought didn’t leave me for many hours after the program got over and we came back.

Shouldn’t all these intelligent and well-to-do people be in India for India’s betterment and prosperity? What does my motherland get from people who leave her and settle abroad? But, that’s the way of life and people will flock to places which will give them security, money and happiness. 

One has to find his/her own way of happiness.