SIES College to showcase wonders of the state tomorrow

For the first time, a city college is joining hands with the state government to celebrate the golden jubilee of both institutions simultaneously.

To commemorate the 50 years of Maharashtra state and as part of the anniversary festivities of SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, the institution is holding a three-day exhibition on ‘Maharashtra - Gaathaa Samruddha  Paramparechi’ (Maharashtra - Saga of Rich Heritage) beginning from January 22 at the college premises, Sion.

The exhibition highlights the history of Maharashtra and also the political, economic and cultural aspects of the state. “The aim of the exhibition is to involve students of the college and make them aware of our glorious history and culture,” said college principal Harsha Mehta.

She added, “When the state was formed in 1960, coincidently the college came into existence in the same year. The first chief minister YB Chavan who came to inaugurate the college said the college was a ‘gift’ from the South Indian community to the newly born state of Maharshtra.”

Models and posters of various temples like Ashtavinayak, Shirdi  Sai Baba temple will be on display. Students will also get an update on the state’s historical forts, historians responsible for the state’s evolution, details of Maratha rulers, social reformers and freedom fighters through this exhibition.

The state government has provided more than 400 posters, panels and photographs from their archive department for the purpose. The exhibition has been divided into categories like literatures, theatre, tourism, fine arts, religious shrines, culture, textiles, jewellery and sports.

On January 22, the college is also holding a day-long seminar on ‘Glimpses of Maharashtra -South India Interaction’, where topics like ‘Emperor Shivaji’s invasion of Tamil Nadu’, the ‘Maratha migrants to South India’, ‘Influence of Tamil culture and people on Maharashtra’ will be discussed.

Besides these functions, in the evening there will be programmes featuring Maharashtra malkhamb, Dahi Handi and lazim organised by the directorate of cultural affairs of the Maharashtra government.

Folk dances of Maharashtra will be held on January 23 evening. Over 100 artists from the rural hinterland will be coming to the city to take part in the programme.