CM Fadnavis pays tribute to G. D. Madgulkar on birth anniversary
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis honoured Padma Shri Ga. Di. Madgulkar — poet, lyricist, and creator of the celebrated Geet Ramayan — on his birth anniversary, calling him the 'modern Valmiki' of Marathi literature.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to Padma Shri Ga.
Madgulkar on his birth anniversary on 1 October 2026 .
Madgulkar is celebrated as the creator of Geet Ramayan , a cycle of 56 songs that retells the Ramayana in Marathi, composed between 1955 and 1956 .
He is widely called the 'modern Valmiki' and 'ashtapailu Marathi sahityik' — an all-round Marathi literary figure.
Madgulkar was conferred the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian literature and culture.
His novel Bangarwadi and his prolific work as a Marathi film lyricist and screenwriter cement his multi-genre legacy.
On the birth anniversary of one of Marathi literature's most luminous figures, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paused to offer a tribute that resonated far beyond a social media post — honouring the man who gave voice to the entire Ramayana in Marathi song.
Fadnavis extended his respects to Padma Shri Ga. Di. Madgulkar — celebrated as the 'Geetramayankaar' and hailed as the 'modern Valmiki' of Maharashtra — greeting him on his birth anniversary with the Marathi salutation 'vinmra abhivadan' (humble homage).
The man behind Geet Ramayan
Ga. Di. Madgulkar, born Gadima (a contraction by which he is universally known), was a towering multi-faceted Marathi literary personality — poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and author. His most enduring achievement is Geet Ramayan, a cycle of 56 songs composed between 1955 and 1956 for All India Radio Pune in collaboration with composer Sudhir Phadke. The work retold the entire arc of the Ramayana in the Marathi lyric tradition, earning Madgulkar the epithet 'modern Valmiki.' The composition became a cultural touchstone across Maharashtra and is performed and broadcast to this day.
Beyond Geet Ramayan, Madgulkar was a prolific presence in Marathi cinema as a lyricist and screenwriter, and authored celebrated fiction including the novel Bangarwadi. He was conferred the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contributions to Indian literature and culture.
Why this tribute lands where it does
For a Chief Minister of Maharashtra to invoke Madgulkar on his birth anniversary is more than a cultural courtesy — it is a signal of the deep imprint Gadima continues to hold on Maharashtrian identity. Geet Ramayan is taught in schools, performed at cultural festivals, and treated as living heritage rather than archival text. Fadnavis's reference to him as 'ashtapailu Marathi sahityik' — an 'all-round Marathi literary figure' — underscores that Madgulkar's legacy spans genres, generations, and platforms.
The Marathi literary world marks this anniversary each year with readings and musical renditions across the state. Fadnavis's public tribute aligns the office of the Chief Minister with that cultural continuity — a reminder that Maharashtra's political leadership sees the stewardship of its literary heritage as part of governance itself.
Geet Ramayan turned seventy last year. It shows no sign of fading.
Point of View
Literary canon, and mass popular culture, making Madgulkar a figure who transcends partisan divides. By using the honorific 'modern Valmiki' and 'ashtapailu sahityik,' the Chief Minister frames the tribute in the language of reverence rather than politics. The gesture costs little but lands warmly in a state where Marathi pride is a live electoral and cultural current.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was G. D. Madgulkar?
Ga. Di. Madgulkar , popularly known as Gadima , was a celebrated Marathi poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and author. He is best known for composing Geet Ramayan , a series of 56 devotional songs retelling the Ramayana in Marathi, earning him the title 'modern Valmiki.' He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian literature.
What is Geet Ramayan?
Geet Ramayan is a landmark work of Marathi literature and music — a cycle of 56 songs written by Ga. Di. Madgulkar and set to music by composer Sudhir Phadke , composed between 1955 and 1956 for All India Radio Pune. It retells the entire story of the Ramayana through the Marathi lyric tradition and remains a cultural cornerstone in Maharashtra.
Why is G. D. Madgulkar called the modern Valmiki?
Madgulkar is called the 'modern Valmiki' because, like the ancient sage Valmiki who authored the original Sanskrit Ramayana , Madgulkar retold the entire Ramayana narrative in his native tongue — Marathi — through the Geet Ramayan song cycle, bringing the epic to a new generation in a fresh literary and musical form.
Why did CM Devendra Fadnavis tribute Madgulkar?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted a tribute on 1 October 2026 to mark the birth anniversary of Padma Shri Ga. Di. Madgulkar , honouring his legacy as a multi-faceted Marathi literary figure and the composer of Geet Ramayan.
What other works is Ga. Di. Madgulkar known for?
Beyond Geet Ramayan , Madgulkar was a prolific Marathi film lyricist and screenwriter. He also authored celebrated Marathi fiction, most notably the novel Bangarwadi , which was later adapted into a critically acclaimed Marathi film.
