A photo feature on an outstanding cultural extravaganza which was organized by Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal of North America at San Jose.

It has been a fortnight since the conclusion of the BMM2024 in San Jose and we are still floating in its afterglow. BMM was the highlight of this summer for the Maharashtrian community in North America. (BMM stands for Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal of North America)

The conference takes place every two years in cities most densely populated by Maharashtrians…which include Calgary, Atlantic City, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, NewYork, Silicon Valley, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, LA, Detroit, Grand Rapids, New Jersey, Seattle and Rhode Island. 

That means our Marathi paula have reached far and wide! Marathi folk across North America and Canada get to display our Marathi attire and jewelry…soak in Marathi music, dance, theatre, comedy, and spirituality…tune into the network of successful Marathi minds… hope to find that dream life  partner and most importantly, indulge in delicious Marathi food, food, food and more food !! I couldn’t resist walking up to strangers to pose for me. The men were most thrilled to be photographed in their fancy Paithani vests! Women turned up in unbelievable shades of gorgeous Paithani and Irkali saris. It felt like a big fat family wedding… making new friends, discovering that we are somehow related!!!

Thank God we chose to attend #BMM2024… I wouldn’t have missed this awesome historic experience for anything. What was unique about the recent San Jose 2024 BMM convention was the spirit of goodwill and camaraderie among the various cultural groups and may I add the abundance of food (except for the tea, perhaps!). That credit goes to the organizers and especially the noble vision of the Convener, Prakash Bhalerao, who requested that all participating organizations must work as one. The result was evident in the successful streamlined operation of all the events over four exciting days. 

BMM was held from June 27 to 30 at the San Jose Convention Centre, California. Over 6,500 attended.

What also made the San Jose BMM special was the incredible lineup of living legends who delighted the audience with their astounding performances over four dreamlike days. We owe our gratitude to the organizers for this remarkable achievement. Sandeep Dixit, the President, also deserves applause for a very well orchestrated event with the help of an army of dedicated volunteers! 

There was such an incredible array of programs to choose from that we ended up shuttling between rooms to savor as many experiences as possible. A spiritual discourse here by the very popular Dhanashri Lele, an inspiring talk by Raj Thakare there; a fabulous glimpse of the old Marathi classic cinema in Prabhat Talkies, through excellent enactment of scenes from Manoos and Kunkoo; enchanting opera bringing to life Yayati ani Devyani; classical music, digital fantasy; drama; Poetry reading on the works of our beloved writer, Pu La Deshpande and so much more! 

Dreams Unlimited spectacular!

Sanjeev Abhyankar, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande’ classical music.

Rahul Deshpande Priyanka Barve.

The first day ended with another sensational program by the incredible Rahul Deshpande, Priyanka Barve and their live orchestra, the finest in the world! 

Opera Yayati ani Devyani

Marathi standup comedy has also made strides and we had the opportunity to listen to some of the best rib ticklers.

When you attend a convention the size of #BMM2024 (with more than 4000 attendees) one can marvel at the humungous undertaking and applaud all the dedicated volunteers who lovingly slogged to serve the community… like most of us did.… OR you can go around spreading gloom, counting every little flaw without ever pitching in to help like a few of the Grinches! 

This BMM-San Jose was the perfect antidepressant for most of us. An incredible energy pervaded the halls … octogenarians hobbled around, dressed to the hilt and happy to join in the melange of activities.

In the midst of all this, I couldn’t resist the temptation to browse the stalls selling yummy snacks, masalas, clothes, Real Estate and what you know…cricket gear!!! I even stopped to admire a calligrapher demonstrate his unique skill.

The three winners of the one-act plays were simply superb. Drishti, a jaw dropping performance by the Atlanta MM team, was about two visually impaired individuals eventually falling in love. I was lucky to meet the actor in the restroom and gave her a big hug for her astonishingly authentic performance, while squinting throughout the play!!! The winner was about a young child bride of long ago, who befriends a peacock, who teaches the girl to free herself from oppression.

Finally, Khidki (Window) was an imaginative narrative of the life of a window! There is certainly no dearth of talent in my fellow Maharashtrians! Mana ré Indradhanu was an audio visual treat… Superbly choreographed dances throbbing with color and music. 

Speaking of throbbing, no Marathi celebration is complete without the traditional beating of drums (Dhol -Tasha). In an impressive turnout of both men and women drummers, the whole place resounded with the beat of Marathi pride. 

Of all the stars, who were most awaited were undoubtedly the popular jodi of Ajay and Atul (rocking singers/composers). They had the audience jumping off their seats and jamming the aisles with their frenzied dancing …evidence of the power that the celebrated pair packs into their performance! It was a deeply spiritual experience indeed! 

Now for the grand finalé of the most awaited event of the year, BMM 2024!

Sunil Gavaskar, also known as the Little Master was awarded a Lifetime Award after a very interesting and amusing interview. The Award was presented in a most elegant manner with a touching poem dedicated to the legendary cricketer.

This beautiful sand art was an introduction to the spiritual journey (Wari) that we were about to join Mahesh Kale!  Wari is the pilgrimage to Pandharpur, the pure and sacred destination where Vitthala stands with his hands on his hips) Artist: Shubhada Sahasrabudhe

Mukta Barve’s delightful and eloquent introductions were an added treat. What a befitting tribute to a gathering that connected hearts and minds. Mahesh’s singing elevated the audience into a spiritual frenzy and going by the grinning faces in the hall, I bet they could see Vitthala within all! 

We have only heartfelt gratitude towards all those who helped to pass the *varsa* (light of our culture) to the next generation.

Here’s wishing Team Seattle BMM all the very best for 2026! 

Jai Jai Maharashtra maaza!  

Jai Hari Vitthala! Jai Hari Vitthala!

To read all articles by author  Except where mentioned all pictures by author.

Links to BMM24 site

1. Opening Ceremony

2. North America programs

3. India programs

To read articles on Maratha History including Shivaji Maharaj

To see pics of Paithani saris in Aurangabad and Paithan

To read about Art, Music, Textile Traditions, Dance of Maharashtra

Also read

1. About BMM founded in 1983 

2. Marathi Shala or School

3. BMM 2024 site

4. Album Pandharpur Ringan

5. Album Pandaharpur Wari

6. Mumbai Ganapathy Visarjan Girgaon

7. Kathi Holi near Nandurbar

8. Haldi festival, village Kodoli near Kolhapur

9. Gudi Padwa, Thane

10. Handlooms of Maharashtra and Goa

11. Hadli Kunkoo in California

12. How Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a Maharashtrian Home

13. Maharashtra’s Ashtavinayaka Temples

14. Pandharpur Vari is spiritual democracy and social churn

15. Articles on Indian History

16. How Marathas contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire

17. Judicial system of the Marathas

18. When Marathas and Sikhs threw out the Afghans