‘Marathi Aai of North America’ – How Two Moms Built A Thriving And Growing Community Of 800+

By REENA RATHORE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Motherhood can be an isolating journey. For many new mothers, the experience is filled with excitement, but also uncertainty—countless questions about parenting, cultural traditions, and finding a support system. When Sayli Natu was expecting her first child, she often turned to her friend Kshitija Karmarkar—who had given birth just nine months earlier—for advice and reassurance. Their conversations made them realize that so many other Marathi moms across North America must be feeling the same sense of isolation, longing for a community where they could connect, share experiences, and lean on one another.

That’s when Natu floated the idea of creating the ‘Marathi Aai of North America’ group.

What began as a small WhatsApp group for a handful of Marathi moms a year and a half ago, has now blossomed into a network of over 800 mothers across the U.S. and Canada.

“We thought, ‘It’s fine, so what even if there are only 10-15 of our closest friends in the group? It’ll still be helpful!” Natu recalled to India-West. But what they didn’t anticipate was the rapid spread of their initiative through word of mouth. The impact has been so profound that even their spouses were inspired to start a ‘Baba’ (father’s) group, which is also thriving.

What makes Marathi Aai of North America stand out isn’t just its size—it’s the sense of belonging it offers. Natu was born and raised in the U.S., while Karmarkar grew up in Pune. Two women from different worlds yet bound by a shared love for their Maharashtrian roots.

Growing up in Sacramento, CA, Natu struggled with a fractured sense of identity and the lack of a strong Maharashtrian community made her feel disconnected from her cultural roots.

 “I made my first Maharashtrian friend when I was 15 years old, and he could hardly speak the language,” she shared. “My parents worked hard on us to enrich our knowledge about our roots, but to put it simply – we had no one to share it with or learn from. Often times I remember feeling like there was no one else like me and wishing I spoke a different Indian language so that I could fit in with the few Indian peers I did have…This sense of being different was very real and the identity splitting actually happened three ways rather than just two. I was split between being both American and Indian but within the Indian portion, I was also split between being Marathi and non-Marathi.”

Feeling like she belonged neither entirely in the American nor in the Indian world, she resolved to ensure her daughter wouldn’t experience the same feeling. “She will grow up surrounded by a bountiful of American-born and raised Marathi children so hopefully, she will be more confident in her skin than I ever was,” stated Natu.

For Karmarkar, the challenge was different. Having lived in Pune for 28 years, her move to the U.S. was a cultural shock. “The constant pressure to fit in without losing my ‘Marathi’ identity was emotionally and mentally exhausting,” she told India-West. She wanted her U.S.-born son to embrace both cultures without the struggle she faced as an immigrant. “This community of Marathi Aais is our tribute to all the new Marathi moms, whether they were born and raised in America or those who are immigrant moms,” she said.

The principle behind the group’s expansion is simple: community and connection. “It is astonishing to see the concept of six degrees of separation in rapid action,” Natu said. “What started off as a group of just our closest friends quickly grew as one mother connected the next.”

From a space to discuss parenting struggles, Marathi Aai of North America has now evolved into a full-fledged support system. From postpartum concerns and mental health to cultural home remedies rooted in Marathi traditions to legal and immigration assistance, the group offers a safe space for mothers to seek advice and share experiences. They have even developed a comprehensive FAQs list covering everything from baby products to medical guidance and Marathi language activities for kids.

The group has already made a difference in the lives of many. The co-founders shared how one mom, Saloni Mahajani, found crucial support navigating her son’s cow milk protein allergy while also rediscovering her passion for painting. Another, Vedvati Jatkar, credited the group with improving her mental health and role as a mom.

A major goal of Marathi Aai of North America is ensuring children stay connected to their roots while growing up in the West. To address this, the group has introduced a biannual webinar, ‘Raising Marathi Kids in the West’ featuring panels of parents and grandparents who share their experiences on language retention, cultural immersion, and identity balance.

These sessions, said Natu, have been “extremely successful,” with the panel sharing wisdom gained over the years and the audience learning tricks and tips.

Unlike many cultural organizations that focus primarily on adults, Marathi Aai of North America designs events specifically for children.

“Our organization aims to do two things: Create a support system and sense of community for mothers; and do our best to immerse our children in as much culture firsthand as possible,” she explained.

The group has successfully hosted Marathi festivals like Bhondla, where children and mothers participated in folk singing and dancing, and Diwali trivia, which educated kids on the festival’s significance. The recent Gudhi Padwa event featured children dressing up as historical Marathi figures and participating in a shobhayatra (parade).

“Growing up I had never even heard of Bhondla so I thought it was wonderful that my daughter got to participate as a one year old. Unlike me, she and her peers will grow up not only knowing what it is, but also why we celebrate it,” said Natu.

Additionally, the group is looking to introduce Indian music sessions for infant/toddler development, which would lay the groundwork for future Marathi language schools. Plans are also in place for roundtable discussions where kids, they said, can “discuss their struggles, identity crises, language barriers and other concerns.”

After creating a space where Marathi moms don’t just find answers, but also a family, Natu and Karmarkar are now taking the next step—formalizing Marathi Aai of North America into a nonprofit organization. “This community is our shared ‘baby’ as we navigate motherhood while raising our own little ones…If we can build a self-sustaining community officially, it will truly be a dream come true!” the duo said.