Marathas’ Contribution to Literature

The Marathi language is spoken by nearly 75 million people in Maharashtra, India, and other parts of the world. This article will cover literature from Maithili writers written in Marathi script.

Maithili is a sub-division of eastern varieties of Hindi and is spoken in the state of Bihar, India.

In addition to these languages, Marathi and Maithili literature has also influenced other languages around its borders like Hindi, Gujarati, Sindhi, and Punjabi, among others.

The language is based on the mediaeval Newari script used to write Maithili. It’s also related to the Pahari languages spoken in Nepal, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

History of Maithili Literature

The language is based on the mediaeval Newari script used to write Maithili. It’s also related to the Pahari languages spoken in Nepal, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

The Newari script, introduced by the Jain and Buddhist missionaries during the 13th century, was primarily used to write Sanskrit and Pali texts.

Its earliest known inscription dates back to 1113 in Tirhut (Nepal), which is now called Rautahat. The earliest work of written Maithili dates back to 1219. An inscription was found on a stone slab at Tilpur in Darbhanga District (Bihar). The oldest known manuscript in the Maithili language dates back to 1703 and is inscribed on the base of a Natha Pillar in Darbhanga. The inscription describes itself as a book on Maithili grammar.

Since the script was used during the 19th century to write literary works in Maithili, Marathi became the medium of choice for written literature in Maithili in the 21st century.

We can see that Maithili literature has a long history of writing on stone, wood, and metal slabs. However, today it’s being written primarily on paper and uploaded onto numerous websites and blogs like this one.

Contribution of Marathas to Literature

Marathi is an old language and has a long history of written literature. It’s linked with many cultures, traditions, and religions.

It’s one of the primary languages in Maharashtra. Many famous writers all across India wrote in Marathi in the past, which have now been translated into English, Hindi, and other languages for a wider readership.

Some of the famous Marathi writers, poets, authors, and playwrights are:

• Vijay Tendulkar(1936-2010) is the author of many plays, novels, and screenplays in Marathi. Most famous works: Sakharam Binder, Ghashiram Kotwal, Ghasiram Kotwal.

• Sane Guruji (1899-1967) was instrumental in forming the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). His great-grandson writes, publishes, and edits ‘Deshdrotha’ in Marathi daily.

Sane Guruji wrote 26 novels, 3 Marathi books on drama, 7 biographies, and 2 collections of articles and songs. Many of his books are bestsellers amongst Marathi readers. 

• Naval Kishore Mane (1930-1996) was a famous theatre and film writer in Marathi. His work inspires many authors, playwrights, and filmmakers even today.

Maharashtra is also a place that has inspired many writers worldwide. Many are fantasy authors like JK Rowling, Lewis Caroll, and Neil Gaiman. Many of these authors have written in Hindi and Marathi, but their fame is mostly associated with their Marathi works.

One of the most famous examples is Laxmibai Tilak, who wrote many popular children’s books in Marathi. Her most famous works include the Savitribai Series and popular folk tales such as Tulajaji Hirabai.

Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) was a social reformer, poet, and writer who participated in the Indian Independence Movement. She is well known for her role in educating women and lower caste people.

Marathi Literature Writers

Subedar Bahadur “Bapu” Bhausaheb Khadilkar (1898-1984) is one of the most famous authors in the world. He authored many novels and autobiographical books, notably ‘Garbhe Vahet,’ ‘Khileji,’ and ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.’

1. P. Deshpande (1910-1994) is a renowned Marathi writer and is considered one of the pioneers of Adik Abhyas (new writing). He has also published many articles, essays, and short stories in Marathi and English.

Pradeep Pandurang Kshirsagar (1902-1989) was an acclaimed writer specialising in short stories, novels, and poetry. He wrote mainly in Marathi but also used Kannada, Hindi, and Urdu for his works.

Jyoti Arvind Apte (1913-2001) was one of the most celebrated Marathi novelists, playwrights, translators, and essayists of the 20th century. He also served as a literary editor for Maharashtra Times. His work has been translated into several Indian and European languages, including English, Hindi, Czech, and Russian. He wrote over 20 books in Marathi, Hindi, and English.

Shivaji Kotak (1908-1981) was a novelist, short story writer, and editor of ‘Prabhat’ magazine. He was also the vice-president of ‘Sahitya Sammelan’ in Pune and the second president of ‘Pratishthan Vichar Samiti.’ He once edited ‘Bande Matram’ monthly magazine for six years between 1950-56.

Shrimant Udhyar (1914-1976) is a prolific playwright and the son of Maharani Girish Bapurao Apte. He wrote many plays, including ‘Gopi’ (1952), ‘Kunjabihari’ (1954), ‘Chhayale tauneyacha’ and ‘Kashi Vastavati’ (‘The Kashi Century’).

Conclusion

Marathi has always been a language of thought and expression. It is rich in history and has been quite active throughout the ages, from past to current. The art of Marathi writing is still developing. The writers of recent times are developing a distinctive style from the previous generation. They draw readers’ attention to a wide spectrum of topics, including ecology, environment, and social reform. Marathi has a very rich history with many extraordinary contributions by its writers. The richness of life and its written versions are reflected in the many works of Marathi literature.