THE CONTRIBUTION OF AKASHVANI TO THE PROMOTION OF MARATHI LITERATURE: A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL STUDY

Abstract

This historical and cultural study investigates the role of Akashvani (All India Radio) in promoting Marathi literature from the pre-independence era to the contemporary period. Combining archival research, content analysis of radio programs (dramas, poetry broadcasts, literary discussions, and serialized novels), and interviews with writers, producers, and listeners, the study explores how Akashvani shaped literary tastes, nurtured new writing, preserved oral and folk traditions, influenced Marathi language norms, and expanded audiences beyond urban centers. Findings are expected to show that Akashvani functioned as a critical cultural institution—facilitating literary dissemination, providing a platform for experimentation (radio drama, recitation, radio-plays), and contributing to the canonization and democratization of Marathi literature. The study concludes with recommendations for preserving broadcast archives and integrating radio-based materials into literary study and pedagogy.