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Maithili Language and Literature
Maithili language is
an integral part of the entire living civilization of Mithila with a very long
history from the ancient period. Having the second largest size for its number
of speakers in the country (11.67 percent) it has very rich literary records
after Nepali and Nepal Bhasa in Nepal. Known as the King's Language or court
vernacular in the medieval Malla period in the Kathmandu valley many of the
Malla rulers had created literary works in this language, some noted ones include-
Jagajaya Malla, Jitamitra Malla, Bhupatindra Malla, Ranajit Malla, Pratap
Malla, Jayaprakash Malla etc., they had mostly composed operas. Besides these,
a remarkable number of songs and hymns of the Maithili language are still
practised during religious-cultural occasions by the Newar conglomeration in
the valley. It had already flourished in the Mithila region of Nepal and India
earlier.
Development of this language has been divided into three
phases- Primary Period (750-1350) that initiated during the Paal Period, Middle
Period (1350-1768) and Modern Period (1950) in between 1768 to 1950 Maithili
could not have any significant development due to the state policy so this
period is regarded as the dark phase in the development of the Maithili language
and literature. It is now written in the Devanagari script but it had
"Tirhutiya' or 'Tirhuta' and 'Kaithi' as its scripts in the past. Maithili
has different dialects, Bajjika, Angika, Thethi and Jolaha that are spoken in
Nepal and India, but the Central Maithili is the only standard version and has
been used also for literature.
Pioneer work
'Varsaratnakar' was created by Pandit Jyotishwor Thakur
during 1324.
First play
Pandit Jyooritishwor Thakur composed 'Dhurta Samagam', the
first play in the Maithili literature in 1325.
Foremost poet of the Maithili
Vidyapati (1350-1448
or 50) was the 'Mahakavi' or the great poet of Maithili. His simple romantic
lyrics and poetic works have helped flourish this language to the general
people's understanding level.
Oldest conserved manuscript of the Maithili Language
Vidyapati's 'Goraksha Vijay' has been kept in the National
Archives, Kathmandu.
First grammar of Maithili
The first grammar of the Maithili language was published by
Rudolf Hoernle in 1880.
First published anthology of Maithili poems
'Banna Kathori: Aunait Dhuwan' composed by Rambharos Kapadi
"Bhramar' in 1972 was the first Maithili anthology of poems brought out in
Nepal.
First Maithili epic in Nepal
Dr. Dhirendra (Dhireshwor Jha) wrote Tripund', the first one
Maithili epic in Nepal.
First anthology of short stories
Rambharos Kapadi Bhramar' wrote the first anthology of short
stories, ‘Tora Sange Jaybore Kujaba' in 1987.
First book of history on Maithili literature of Nepal
'Nepalak Maithili Sahityik Itihas' was written by Professor
Prafulla Kumar 'Maun' in 1972.
First Maithili novel
'Bhorukawa' was the first novel in Maithili in Nepal written
by Dr. Dhirendra (Dhireshwor Jha) published in 1983.
First international festival of the Maithili drama in Nepal
Bhanu Kala Kendra of Biratnagar organized Nepal's first
international festival of the Maithili drama in 1992.