Marathi Language Day is observed in the state of Maharashtra, India, every February 27. This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Kusumagraj, the pen name of Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar, a prominent Marathi author known for his significant contributions to the language and literature. Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language, serves as the official language of Maharashtra and boasts around 73 million native speakers, making it one of the most spoken languages in the world and the fourth most spoken in India. Celebrations include seminars and essay competitions at educational institutions, along with various cultural events organized by state officials. Kusumagraj, born on February 27, 1912, created numerous works over his five-decade career, with one of his notable pieces being "Vishaka," a collection of poems published in 1942 that inspired the Indian independence movement.