Nasava Na: A Marathi Poem by Manswi Subhash Mane Questions Society's Expectations of Girls

A thoughtful Marathi poem about girls' education, personal freedom, dreams, emotions and the expectations society places on them.

Manswi Subhash Mane

Student Poet

Mangalvedha, Maharashtra, India

Featured poem: “Nasava Na…”

At a glance: 5 key points

1. A Marathi poem questioning why girls face different expectations.

2. Highlights girls' education and the right to pursue dreams.

3. Questions social restrictions and pressure on girls.

4. Reflects on family duties, emotions and relationships.

5. Written by student poet Manswi Subhash Mane from Mangalvedha.

Marathi Poetry & Society

Why Is It Always the Girls?

Why are girls so often expected to put their own dreams aside, control their emotions and adjust their lives to meet society's expectations? Why should their choices and ambitions be treated differently?

These questions form the heart of “Nasava Na…”, a Marathi poem by Manswi Subhash Mane, a student from Mangalvedha, Maharashtra. Through a series of repeated questions, the poem brings attention to the expectations that girls may encounter in their families and communities.

The recurring line, “Why is it always the girls?”, gives the poem its emotional force. It invites readers to reflect on the restrictions sometimes placed on girls' feelings, education, personal choices and future ambitions.

      A girl's dreams, education and emotions deserve the same respect
      as those of anyone else. Equality begins when expectations are
      fair and opportunities are shared.
    

Education and Dreams Should Not Be Sacrificed

Education is one of the central concerns reflected in the poem. Girls should have the opportunity to continue their studies, develop their abilities and work towards the future they want. Family circumstances and social expectations should not automatically place their ambitions second.

The poem asks readers to consider why a girl should have to abandon her dreams simply because she is a girl. Its questions underline the importance of supporting young women as they build confidence, independence and their own identities.

Social Expectations and Personal Freedom

The poem also questions the pressure on girls to remain within social boundaries and constantly adjust their behaviour. Customs and traditions can have a meaningful place in society, but they should not prevent individuals from expressing themselves or making responsible decisions about their lives.

Through its direct language, “Nasava Na…” encourages families and communities to reflect on whether girls are given the same freedom to learn, grow and make choices as boys.

Family Responsibilities and Emotional Choices

Leaving one's childhood home, living away from parents and taking on household responsibilities are also themes raised in the poem. These experiences can carry emotional weight, particularly when they are treated as duties that girls alone must accept.

The poem further touches on love and emotional disappointment. It asks why girls should have to suppress their feelings or accept unequal expectations in relationships. Respect, understanding and responsibility should come from both sides.

A Student's Voice Through Marathi Poetry

Manswi Subhash Mane uses simple, direct questions to express concerns that many readers may recognise. Rather than presenting a lengthy argument, the poem allows each question to carry its own emotional weight.

Its message is relevant to conversations about girls' education, women's freedom, gender equality and the importance of allowing every individual to develop a sense of identity. The poem asks society to reflect on everyday expectations and consider whether they are fair.

मूळ मराठी कविता

नसावं ना…

— म. माने

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
सगळ्या भावना मारायच्या का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
सतत मर्यादा राखायच्या का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
स्वतःच्या स्वप्नांचा घोट घ्यायचा का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
शिक्षणाचा त्याग करायचा का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
समाजाच्या दबावात जगायचं का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
जन्मघर, आई-बाप सोडायचं का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
घरकामात स्वतःला गुंतवायचं का?

नेहमी मुलींबाबत असंच का?
प्रेम या विषयात नापास व्हायचं का?

A Marathi poem by Manswi Subhash Mane

A Message That Deserves Reflection

“Nasava Na…” raises questions about more than individual experiences. It encourages a broader conversation about how girls are treated, how their ambitions are supported and how responsibilities are shared within families.

Every girl deserves the chance to learn, express her feelings, make choices and pursue her ambitions without being limited by unfair expectations. The poem's questions invite readers to think about what meaningful equality should look like in everyday life.

Girls should not have to choose between their dreams and their responsibilities. Their voices, ambitions and individuality deserve respect.

Marathi Poem Marathi Kavita Nasava Na Girls' Education Gender Equality मुलींचे स्वातंत्र्य मराठी कविता Mangalvedha

Article language: English. Original poem language: Marathi. The poem is reproduced from the text provided for this article.