Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, and Kajol starrer Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is undoubtedly one of the most awaited films of 2020. The trailer of the film was released a few days ago, and it has received a great response. While we have heard about Tanaji Malusare, we are sure many of you don’t have more details about him. So, let us tell you about the great warrior.
Tanaji was born in the 1600s in Godavli, Javali Taluka (Satara, Maharashtra, India). He was a commander of Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj. He was so loyal to Shivaji Maharaj that when in 1670 he was summoned by Chatrapati for a meeting, Tanaji decided to put the wedding plan of his son Rayaba on hold and went to meet him.
Mughals had captured the Kondhana fort near Pune which was controlled by Udaybhan Rathod (played by Saif Ali Khan in the film) and Shivaji Maharaj wanted to recapture the fort. Tanaji took up the charge to get the fort back. With an army of 800 people, Tanaji marched on to conquer Kondana fort.
He decided that along with a troop of 300 he would scale the fort from the western side on a dark night with the help of a domesticated Bengal monitor lizard (called ghorpad in Marathi) named Yashwanti. Well, they failed twice but then finally they successfully scaled the steep hill fortress.
After opening the Kalyan Darwaza, Tanaji, his men and another troop of 500 men headed by Suryaji (his younger brother) attacked the army holding down the fort. A fierce battle took place between them. During the battle, Tanaji broke his shield but he continued fighting.
Tanaji Malusare lost his life in the battle and Shelar Mama killed Udaybhan. The battle was won by Marathas and they took over the Kondana fort. The fort is now known as Sinhagad. When Shivaji Maharaj came to know about the courage and the death of his close friend and commander Tanaji, he said, ‘gad alaa pan sinha gelaa’ which translates to ‘the fort is captured but the lion (Tanaji Malusare) has died.’
Kondana fort was renamed as Sinhagad by Shivaji Maharaj in the name of his former commander and as a testimony of his sacrifice; his statue stands tall at the fort.
It will surely be interesting to watch this story on the big screen on 10th January 2020.
Diwali celebration tomorrow kicks off business with ticketed workshops and networking.
Model taps into growing demand for inclusive, heritage-focused experiences.
Platform targets not just south Asians seeking cultural connection, but everyone.
Creating cultural belonging
Priyanka Patel, curator of The Empowered Desi, a new events platform for south Asians seeking cultural connection, is here with a Diwali celebration on Saturday (18) at Fargo Village in Coventry. The venture was born from personal experience – Patel felt "isolated and neglected" growing up without many south Asian friends. Spotting a gap in the market, she's now building a business around creating inclusive spaces for south Asians regardless of religious or regional background.
Diwali-themed , Paint N Sip event in Coventry marks the venture's next partnership with local business Sugar and Spice, Patel is offering a ticketed experience featuring diya decorating workshops, Indian grazing boards with chai, and jewellery stations where guests can take home jhumkas and bangles. The Diwali format combines cultural celebration with networking opportunities, with south Asian attire preferred.
Empowerment through experience
I couldn't talk about the festivals we celebrate, the type of Indian food we have, and also the clothes we wear for special occasions," Patel told BBC."I felt that I couldn't express my individuality, which in turn affected my confidence and self-worth." She realised that lack of cultural belonging represented an untapped market.
The business model centres on experiential events that blend tradition with social connection. The first workshop held on September (20) focused on bento cake decorating, a trendy format paired with south Asian networking. Patel aims for attendees to "feel empowered and inspired."
With South Asian Heritage Month highlighting the importance of cultural spaces, The Empowered Desi positions itself at the intersection of community building and commercial viability. Patel's betting that others share her experience and are willing to pay for a sense of belonging.
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