Raj Thackeray

Raj Thackeray is an Indian Politician, Orator, Cartoonist, and Illustrator. He was born on 14 June 1968. Raj Thackeray's real name is Swararaj Shrikant Thackeray. His father's name is Shrikant Thackeray, and his mother is Kunda Thackeray. He is the cousin of Udav Thackeray and nephew of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Raj Thackeray finished his schooling at Bal Mohan Vidya Mandir School in Dadar. As a child, Raj Thackeray was interested in music and took classes for tabla, guitar, and violin. The politician received his Bachelor's Degree from Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy Institute of Applied Arts. On 11 December 1990, Raj Thackeray married Sharmila Wagh. Sharmila Wagh comes from an affluent Marathi family, and her father is Marathi cinema photographer and producer-director Mohan Wagh. Together, the couple has two children- a son and a daughter named Amit Thackeray and Urvashi Thackeray, respectively. 

Raj Thackeray joined the political scene immediately after graduating. His first job was working as a cartoonist for 'Marmik', the weekly magazine of his uncle Bal Thackeray. From there, he went on to launch the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, which is the student wing of the Shiv Sena party. Throughout his years in the Shiv Sena, Raj Thackeray strove to be the heir of his uncle. However, despite his efforts, Balasaheb displayed a stronger preference for his own son, Uddhav Thackeray Uddhav Thackeray, born on 27th July 1960 in Mumbai >> Read More... . On 27 November 2005, after years of being overlooked, Raj Thackeray finally quit the Shiv Sena. He still continued to pursue a career in the political field. On 9 March 2006, Raj Thackeray founded the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The party was initially focused on issues related to Marathi identity and regional pride. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena quickly gained popularity, particularly in urban areas of Maharashtra.

Over the course of his career, Raj Thackeray has consistently emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting the Marathi language and culture. He believes that Marathi-speaking people should have pride in their heritage and should prioritize the use of the Marathi language in various aspects of life. Beyond issues of identity, Raj Thackeray has raised concerns about the state's infrastructure, governance, and law and order. He is a vocal critic of governments that fail to deliver in these areas. Apart from his political career, Raj Thackeray is known for his interest in art and culture. He has curated art exhibitions that have showcased the work of both established and emerging artists. These exhibitions have provided a platform for artists to display their creativity and have been well-received in the art community. Raj Thackeray has been a proponent of promoting Marathi literature, music, and culture. His support for cultural events and initiatives has contributed to the preservation and celebration of Marathi heritage.