Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has announced that Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s poem “Anadi Mi, Anant Mi” will be the first recipient of the prestigious Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Rajya Prerna Geet Award. Instituted this year, the award aims to honour exceptional inspirational songs and carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh along with a commemorative memento.
The Maharashtra government launched the Maharashtra Prerna Geet Puraskar to celebrate Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s enduring legacy as a warrior, scholar, and writer. Inspired by his literary brilliance and unwavering commitment to Swarajya, the award will annually recognise a powerful song that has profoundly influenced the state.
The inaugural award will honour “Anadi Mi, Anant Mi”, a poem Savarkar composed during a defining moment of his revolutionary struggle. In 1910, while being transported to India by the British aboard the SS Morea, Savarkar made a daring escape at the port of Marseilles, France. Leaping into the sea, he swam 60 yards to shore, only to be recaptured moments later. Facing imminent brutal torture, he drew strength from his own poetry, reinforcing his indomitable spirit with the very lines that will now be recognised with this award.
“Shelar, speaking from the shores of Marseilles, emphasised that the award is not just about honouring a song, but about recognising the power of poetry to fortify the human spirit in the face of oppression.”
पहिल्या "छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज राज्य प्रेरणा गीत" पुरस्काराची घोषणा !
पहिला "छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज महाराष्ट्र प्रेरणा गीत" पुरस्कार स्वातंत्र्यवीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर यांच्या "अनादी मी अनंत मी… " या अमर प्रेरणा गीताला दिला जात आहे.
आमचे छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज यांच्या नावे हा… pic.twitter.com/Fy07ae4OoS
— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) February 25, 2025
A high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Cultural Affairs Minister selected Savarkar’s poem unanimously during an online meeting. The selection panel included:
- Vikas Kharge – Additional Chief Secretary, Cultural Affairs
- Vibhishan Chavare – Director, Cultural Directorate
- Swati Mhase Patil – Managing Director, Chitranagari (Goregaon Film City)
- Minal Joglekar – Director, P. L. Deshpande Kala Academy
- Dr Balsekar – Editor, Darshanika Department
Expressing his pride in the decision, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to X, stating:
“Today is the martyrdom day of Swatantryaveer Savarkar. Yesterday, the newly launched Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj State Inspirational Song Award-2025 was announced for Veer Savarkar’s song ‘Anadi Me Anant Me…’.
Veer Savarkar had jumped into the sea in the port of Marseilles. He was determined to revive the fight for freedom. But, unfortunately, he was caught. Knowing that he would be persecuted by the British, Veer Savarkar had composed this song to increase his own and his countrymen’s self-confidence. This song was sung by Dr. Bharat Balwali in a program. He sent it to me yesterday. Today, on the death anniversary of Veer Savarkar, it will definitely give a new inspiration to all of us. Humble tributes to Swatantryaveer Savarkar!,” he said.
स्वातंत्र्यवीर सावरकर यांचा आज आत्मार्पण दिन.
कालच राज्य सरकारतर्फे नव्याने प्रारंभ करण्यात आलेला छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज राज्य प्रेरणा गीत पुरस्कार-2025 हा वीर सावरकरांच्या ‘अनादि मी अनंत मी…’ या गीताला जाहीर करण्यात आला.
मार्सेलिसच्या बंदरात वीर सावरकरांनी समुद्रात उडी घेतली…— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 26, 2025
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, in whose name this award has been established, was not only a fierce warrior but also an eminent scholar. He authored the Sanskrit work Budhbhushana and wrote Nayikabhed, Nakhsikh, and Saatsatak in the Braj language. Recognising his literary brilliance and unyielding commitment to Dharma and Swarajya, the Maharashtra government has dedicated this award to inspiring poetry that fuels patriotism and resilience.
Minister Shelar underscored the importance of poetry in times of adversity, stating: “A person’s journey from birth to death is a constant struggle. In this struggle, poetic lines uplift the mind, provide strength in crises, and inspire us to continue fighting. Just as Sambhaji Maharaj sacrificed everything for Swarajya, his legacy will now serve as a beacon to honour songs that instill courage and patriotism.”
The award will be presented to poets, their families, or institutions preserving their literary heritage. However, the state government has yet to announce who will officially accept the award for Savarkar’s composition.
