Bolpat, an open mic platform dedicated to celebrating Marathi creative expression and literature, is bringing together poets, musicians, and storytellers to promote the rich legacy of the language. Led by Ketki Bagalkar (35) and Sharvari Prabhu (41) from the Greater Mumbai region. The duo is setting new benchmarks in the field, Marathi stand-up performances, showcasing the depth and versatility of the language.

And Ketki Bagalkar (35) and Sharvari Prabhu (41), both from the Greater Mumbai region, have undertaken the onerous task of creating new benchmarks in Marathi stand-up comedy.

Bolpat was officially launched on Gudi Padwa (the Marathi New Year) in April 2024. The first event took place online on Maharashtra Day, May 1, and exceeded all expectations in terms of engagement and participation.

Even as Bolpat sets new benchmarks in viewer engagement, it was conceptualised and took form to address the gap in the open mic scene. “There wasn’t a dedicated space for regional languages, especially Marathi,” Bagalkar recalls.

Over a caffeine-fueled conversation, the duo conceptualised Bolpat. The name itself is symbolic—‘Bol’ means speech, and ‘Pat’ refers to a screen, representing a space for expression.

Bagalkar, a counsellor and an avid reader and poetry enthusiast, met Prabhu, a clinical psychologist and music composer, at an open mic event in March 2024. “We spoke briefly after the event and realized we shared a common interest—writing in Marathi,” Bagalkar said.

What started with a small group of friends quickly snowballed into something bigger, attracting poets, storytellers, and performers from various backgrounds. “We have participants whose mother tongue is not Marathi, but they perform in the language out of sheer love for it,” she said.

Initially, Bolpat was an online-only venture. However, the growing demand for live events led them to host their first offline event in collaboration with live stories. The event was an overwhelming success, selling twice the expected number of tickets.

This success inspired further collaborations with prominent platforms like Kommune and Poets of Mumbai. In December 2024, they hosted their first outstation event in Pune.

“We started without grand expectations, just a simple idea to create space for Marathi expression. But within seven months, we had multiple collaborations and a growing community,” Prabhu shares.

Bolpat’s community has flourished, now boasting over 450 Instagram followers and nearly 200 WhatsApp members. Their events continue to be gender-inclusive, with equal participation from both men and women. While online sessions take place on the first of every month via Google Meet, offline events are organized based on availability and collaborations.

The initiative adheres to a strict policy of respect and creativity—no religious, political, or vulgar content is allowed. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for offensive jokes or divisive content,” Bagalkar emphasizes.

For Bagalkar and Prabhu, Bolpat is more than just an event series—it’s an emotional sanctuary. Prabhu, who has used poetry and music to cope with personal losses, sees Bolpat as an extension of her therapeutic work.

As Bolpat continues to grow, one thing remains certain—the love for Marathi and the stories waiting to be shared, they duo conclude.

Join Bolpat family:

• Instagram: @bolpatopenmic
• Facebook: Bolpat Facebook Page
• YouTube: Bolpat Marathi Open Mic Channel