Navayan Mahajalsa

Shital Sathe and Sachin Mali are the co-founders of Navayan Mahajalsa, a shahiri performance troupe at the forefront of India’s anti-caste cultural movement.
For over two decades, Shital Sathe has used music and poetry to challenge caste oppression, drawing from the shahiri tradition and inspired by thinkers like Phule, Ambedkar, and Savitribai. Her work blends philosophy, politics, and performance to raise social consciousness. She also co-founded Kalasangini, a platform for artists working toward social change.
Sachin Mali, a poet, writer, and cultural activist, has been active in grassroots movements for over 23 years. His work envisions a casteless society rooted in liberty, equality, and fraternity. Through poetry and performance, he challenges hierarchies and uses art as a tool for resistance and transformation.
Together, they have shaped Navayan Mahajalsa into a powerful voice for social justice, blending cultural expression with political vision.