Marathi literature

Marathi literature (Template:Lang-mr) is the body of literature of Marathi, a Sanskrit-derived language spoken mainly in the Indian state of Maharashtra and written in the Devanagari script.

Early Marathi Literature (before 1800)

Though the earliest known Marathi inscription found at the foot of the statue at Shravanabelgola in Karnataka is dated c. 983, the Marathi literature actually started with the religious writings by the saint-poets belonging to Mahanubhava and Warkari sects. Mahanubhava saints used prose as their main medium, while Warkari saints preferred poetry as the medium. The early saint-poets were Mukundaraj who wrote Vivekasindhu, Dnyaneshwar (1275–1296) (who wrote Amrutanubhav and Bhawarthadeepika, which is popularly known as Dnyaneshwari, a 9000-couplets long commentary on the Bhagavad Gita) and Namdev. They were followed by the Warkari saint-poet Eknath (1528–1599). Mukteswar translated the great epic Mahabharata into Marathi. Social reformers like saint-poet Tukaram transformed Marathi into an enriched literary language. Ramdas's (1608–1681) [[Dasbodh]] and Manache Shlok are well-known products of this tradition.

In the 18th century, several well-known works like Yatharthadeepika (by Vaman Pandit), Naladamayanti Swayamvara (by Raghunath Pandit), Pandava Pratap, Harivijay, Ramvijay (by Shridhar Pandit) and Mahabharata (by Moropant) were produced. However, the most versatile and voluminous writer among the poets was Moropanta (1729–1794) whose Mahabharata was the first epic poem in Marathi. The historical section of the old Marathi literature was unique as it contained both prose and poetry. The prose section contained the Bakhars that were written after the foundation of the Maratha kingdom by Shivaji. The poetry section contained the Povadas and the Katavas composed by the Shahirs. The period from 1794 to 1818 is regarded as the closing period of the Old Marathi literature and the beginning of the Modern Marathi literature.

Modern Period (after 1800)

The period of the late 19th century in Maharashtra is the period of colonial modernity. Like the corresponding periods in the other Indian languages, this was the period dominated by the English educated intellectuals. It was the age of prose and reason. It was the period of reformist diadicticism and a great intellectual ferment.

The first English Book was translated in Marathi in 1817. The first Marathi newspaper started in 1835. Many books on social reforms were written by Baba Padamji (Yamuna Paryatana, 1857), Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Lokhitwadi, Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, Hari Narayan Apte (1864–1919) etc. Lokmanya Tilak's newspaper Kesari, set up in 1880, provided a platform for sharing literary views. Marathi at this time was efficiently aided by Marathi Drama. Here, there also was a different genre called 'Sangit Natya' or Musicals. The first play was V.A. Bhave's Sita Swayamvar in 1843 Later Kirloskar (1843–85) and G.B. Deval (1854-19l6) brought a romantic aroma and social content. But Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar (1872~1948) with his banned play Kichaka-Vadh (1910) set the trend of political playwriting. Later on this "stage" was ably served by stalwarts like Ram Ganesh Gadkari and Prahlad Keshav Atre.The Drama Flourished in 60s and 70s with few of the best Indian actors available to take on a variety of protagonists. Mohan Agashe, Sriram Lagoo, Kashinath Ghanekar, Prabhakar Panshikar playing many immortal characters penned by greats like Vasant Kanetkar, Kusumagraj, Vijay Tendulkar to name a few. This Drama movement was ably supported by Marathi films which did not enjoy a continuous success. Starting with V.Shantaram and before him the pioneer DadaSaheb Phalke, Marathi cinema went on to influence contemporary Hindi cinema. Director Raja Paranjape, Music director Sudhir Phadke, lyricist G.Madgulkar and actor Raja Gosavi came together to give quite a few hits in later period. Marathi Language as spoken by people here was throughout influenced by drama and cinema along with contemporary literature. Modern Marathi poetry began with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule's compositions. The later poets like Keshavsuta, Balakavi, Govindagraj, and the poets of Ravi Kiran Mandal like Madhav Julian wrote poetry which was influenced by the Romantic and Victorian English poetry. It was largely sentimental and lyrical.Prahlad Keshav Atre, the renowned satirist and a politician wrote a parody of this sort of poetry in his collection Jhenduchi Phule. Sane Guruji (1899–1950) contributed to the children's literature in Marathi. His major works are Shyamchi Aai (Shyam's Mother), Astik (Believer), Gode Shevat (The Sweet Ending) etc. He translated and simplified many Western Classics and published them in a book of stories titled Gode Goshti (Sweet Stories). Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (1889–1976)'s Yayati won him the Jnanpith Award for 1975. He also wrote many other novels, short stories, essays etc. His major works are Don Dhruv (Two Poles), Ulka (Meteorite), Krounchavadh, Jalalela Mohar, Amrutvel.

The major paradigm shift in sensibility began in the forties with the avant-garde modernist poetry of B.S. Mardhekar. In the mid fifties, the 'little magazine movement' gained momentum. It published writings which were non-conformist, radical and experimental. Dalit literary movement also gained strength due to the little magazine movement. This radical movement was influenced by the philosophy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and challenged the literary establishment which was largely middle class, urban, and upper caste people. The little magazine movement threw up many excellent writers. Bhalchandra Nemade is a well known novelist, critic and poet. Dr.Sharad Rane is a well known bal-sahityakar. The poetry of Arun Kolatkar, Dilip Chitre, Namdeo Dhasal, Vasant Abaji Dahake, Manohar Oak and many other modernist poets is complex, rich and provokative. Bhau Padhye, Vilas Sarang, Shyam Manohar, Suhas Shirvalkar and Visharm Bedekar are well known fiction writers.

The another major paradigm shift in Marathi sensibility began in the nineties with the another avant-garde modernist poetry of poets associated with Abhidhanantar and Shabadavedh. In the post nineties, this 'new little magazine movement' gained momentum and poets like Manya Joshi, Hemant Divate, Sachin Ketkar, Mangesh Narayanrao Kale, Saleel Wagh, Mohan Borse, Nitin Kulkarni, Nitin Arun Kulkarni, Varjesh Solanki, Sandeep Deshpande, Vasant Gurjar touched the new areas of post-modern life. The poetry collections broughtout by Abhidhanantar Prakashan and the regular issues of the magazine Abhidhanantar is taking Marathi poetry to the global standards. Another leading wave in contemporary Marathi poetry is the poetry of non-urban poets like Arun Kale, Bhujang Meshram, Pravin Bandekar, Shrikant Deshmukh, Veerdhaval Parab etc. They insist on native values in their poetry.

Marathi is also one of the few Indian languages (and possibly the only one) where there is a stream of science fiction literature. A few well known Marathi science fiction authors are Dr. Jayant Narlikar, Dr Bal Phondke, Subodh Javadekar, and Laxman Londhe.

Marathi language is rich in producing encyclopedias or 'kosh'. Shreedhar Venkatesh Ketkar's 'Dnyaankosh', Siddheshwarshastri Chitrao's 'Charitra Kosh', Mahadevshastri Joshi's 'Bharatiy Sanskrutikosh', and Laxmanshastri Joshi's 'Dharmakosh' and 'Vishwakosh' are reputed encyclopaedias in Marathi.

Many writers like Dnyaneshwar Mulay have added new dimensions and enriched Marathi with their literary talent. His autobiographical book 'Maati Pankh Aani Aakaash' was considered to be among the best ten autobiographies of last 100 years in Marathi by a survey conducted by Antarnaad, a respected martahi literary magazine. His other books are 'Russia Navya Dishanche Amantran' a book that captures post 1992 Russia. It is popular because it is probably the only work of its kind in Marathi. His recent poetry collection 'Swatahteel Awakash' won the state literary award of governmment of Maharashtra. He writes regular columns in Marathi dailies like Lokmat and Loksatta and Sadhana, weekly published from Pune.

Dnyananpith award

Three Marathi writers have been honored by the Jnanpith Award:

• Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar
• Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar (Kusumagraj)
• Vinda Karandikar

Marathi Journalism

On January 6, 1832, Bal Shastri Jambhekar began Darpan, a Marathi-English fortnightly magazine. By May 1832 it became an 8 page weekly. It was the first medium of Marathi expression.

On 24 October 1841, Govind Vithal Kunte began Prabhakar. Kunte was the first professional Marathi journalist. Prabhakar eulogised Indian art and culture.

Jnyanodaya was begun in 1842 by Christian missionaries in Western India.

Jnyan Prakash was begun on 12 February 1849 in Pune. It was edited by Krishnaraj Trimbak Ranade. It was a weekly till 1904, when it became a daily. It ceased publication in 1951. It was a prestigious journal and supported education and social reform. Hari Narayan Apte, a famous Marathi novelist served as its editor. Some of its contributors included Mahadev Govind Ranade and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

In the early years of Marathi journalism, most periodicals were concerned with spreading education and knowledge. These include Jaganmitra (from Ratnagiri), Shubh Suchak (from Satara), Vartaman Dipika, Vartaman Sangrah.

In 1862, Induprakash was begun in Bombay (now Mumbai). It was a bilingual journal, edited by M.G. Ranade. It criticised orthodoxy and was the mouthpiece of many social reforms.

In 1877, Jyotiba Phule and Krishnarao Bhaskar began Deenabandhu, as part of the Dalit upliftment movement. Deenabandhu was the organ of the Satyashodhak Samaj founded by Phule.

On 4 January 1881, Bal Gangadhar Tilak began Kesari, along with Gopal Ganesh Agarkar.

In 1887, Agarkar left to start Sudharak (bilingual) along with Gopal Krishna Gokhale. After Agarkar's death in 1895, it ceased publication.

In 1889, K. Navalkar started the weekly Vartahar to highlight atrocities committed by Europeans.

In 1890, Haribhau Apte began Karmanuk as a family entertainment paper. It contained articles on science.

In 1890, Anandrao Ramachandra Dharandhar started Bhoot published every new and full moon day. It was the first Marathi paper to carry cartoons on political and social matters. It was very popular but ceased publication in 1904.

Sahitya Akademi Awards in Marathi

Main article: Sahitya Akademi Award to Marathi Writers

Every year, Sahitya Akademi gives the Sahitya Akademi Award to Marathi writers for their outstanding contribution to Marathi literature.

Winners of the Award along with their books are :

Year	Author	Book
1955	Tarkateertha Laxman Shastri Joshi	'Vaidik Sanskruticha Vikas'
1956	B. S. Mardhekar	'Saundarya ani Sahitya'
1957	(No Award)
1958	Chintamanrao Kolhatkar	'Bahurupee'
1959	G.T.Deshpande	'Bharatiya Sahityashastra'
1960	Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar	'Yayati'
1961	D.N.Gokhale	'Dr.Ketkar'
1962	P.Y.Deshpande	'Anamikachi Chintanika'
1963	S. N. Pendse	'Rathachakra'
1964	Ranjit Desai	'Swami'
1965	P.L.Deshpande	'Vyakti ani Valli'
1966	T S Shejwalkar	'Shri Shiv Chhatrapati'
1967	N.G.Kelkar	'Bhasha : Itihas ani Bhoogol'
1968	Irawati Karve	'Yugant'
1969	S.N.Banhatti	'Natyacharya Deval'
1970	N.R.Phatak	'Adarsh Bharat Sevak'
1971	Durga Bhagwat	'Pais'
1972	Godavari Parulekar	'Jevha Manus Jaga Hoto'
1973	G. A. Kulkarni	'Kajalmaya'
1974	Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar	'Natasamrat'
1975	R.B.Patankar	'Soundarya Mimansa'
1976	G. N. Dandekar	'Smarangatha'
1977	A.R.Deshpande 'Anil'	'Dashapadi'
1978	C. T. Khanolkar 'Arati Prabhu'	'Nakshatranche Dene'
1979	Sharadchandra Muktibodh	'Srushti, Saundarya ani Sahityamulya'
1980	Mangesh Padgaonkar	'Salaam'
1981	Laxman Mane	'Upara'
1982	Prabhakar Padhye	'Saundaryanubhav'
1983	Vyankatesh Madgulkar	'Sattantar'
1984	Indira Sant	'Garbhareshmi'
1985	Vishram Bedekar	'Ek Zad ani Don Pakshi'
1986	N.G.Deshpande	'khoon Gathi'
1987	R.C.Dhere	'Shri Vitthal : Ek Mahasamanvay'
1988	Laxman Gaikwad	'Uchalya'
1989	Prabhakar Urdhwareshe	'Haravlele Diwas'
1990	Anand Yadav	'Zombi'
1991	Bhalchandra Nemade	'Teeka Svayanwar'
1992	Vishwas Patil	'Zada Zadati'
1993	Vijaya Rajadhyaksha	'Mardhekaranchi Kavita'
1994	Dilip Chitre	'Ekun Kavita - 1'
1995	Namdeo Kamble	'Raghava vel'
1996	Gangadhar Gadgil	'Eka Mungiche Mahabharat'
1997	M.V.Dhond	'Dnyaneshwaritil Laukik Srushti'
1998	Sadanand More	'Tukaram Darshan'
1999	Ranganath Pathare	'Tamrapat'
2000	N.D.Mahanor	'Panzad'
2001	Rajan Gavas	'Tanakat'
2002	Mahesh Elkunchwar	'Yugant'
2003	T.V.Sardeshmukh	'Dangora Eka Nagaricha'
2004	Sadanand Deshmukh	'Baromas'
2005	Arun Kolatkar	'Bhijaki Vahi'
2007	Asha Bage	'Bhoomi'
2008	Shyam Manohar	'Utsuktene Mee zopalo'
2009	Vasant Abaji Dahake	'Chitralipi'
2011	Manik Godghate ('Grace')	'Varyane Halte Raan'

See also

• Marathi people
• Marathi Christians

External links

• History of Marathi Literature
• Marathi Poetry in the Early Twentieth Century
• Dilip Chitre's Article on Marathi poetry
• Contemporary Marathi Poetry Article by Sachin Ketkar
• Marathi Literature of Maharashtra
• Contemporary Marathi Writers
• Marathi Literature Resources