Manoj Tiwari

Patna, Sept. 2: This Ganesh Chaturthi Bhojpuri singer and actor Manoj Tiwari has collaborated on a Marathi album to welcome Lord Ganesh. The album, Ganesh Aarti, is being played in pandals across Maharashtra.

A first for the Bhojpuri star, Tiwari, on the phone from Mumbai, said although he had to practise on the dialect and the words, he gave the album his full effort. The album, which has five songs, is a collaboration between Tiwari and Marathi singer Swaroop Balwankar.

Tiwari said: “We had been working on the album for months. Finally, it’s out in the market and being played in the pandals. When I was first asked to sing in the local language, I was a bit sceptical that I would not be able to perform. Later, I realised it was not too difficult. I practised for many days before recording the songs in the studio and it took me a week to finish all the five songs.

“I would say this album is an attempt to convey a message across the state (Maharashtra) that there is no difference between a Bihari and a Marathi when it comes to serving society. Several times I have seen people trying to create differences between a Marathi and a Bihari. I firmly believe that we are very much a part of this state and there should not be any politics.”

He also said: “Every regional festival should be respected and the way I am taking part in Ganesh Chaturthi, the Marathi people should also take part in Chhath. It sends a message of social harmony and brotherhood.”

He added: “I have been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi for a long time in Mumbai. I regularly take part in the festivities held across Mumbai but I never got the opportunity to sing for Lord Ganesh. This is the first time that a Marathi singer has approached me to lend my voice to a Marathi song. I am really privileged. I am sure that people will like the song and will accept me.”