Marathi literature
Template:Modern Asian Literature Literature in Marathi.
Early Marathi Literature (before 1800 AD)
Marathi literature started with 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 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). Mukteshwar translated the great epic Mahabharata into Marathi. Social reformers like saint-poet Tukaram transformed Marathi into a enriched literary language. Ramdas's (1608-1681) Dasabodh and Manache Shlok are well-known products of this tradition.
In the 18th century, some well-known works like Yatharthadeepika (by Vaman Pandit), Naladamayanti Swayamvara (by Raghunath Pandit), Pandava Pratap, Harivijay, Ramvijay (by Shridhar Pandit) and Mahabharata (by Moropanta) were produced.
Modern Period (after 1800)
The period of the late nineteenth 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 M G Ranade, Hari Narayan Apte (1864-1919) etc. Lokmanya Tilak's newspaper Kesari, set up in 1880, provided a platform for sharing of literary views.
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.PK 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 (God-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) and Krounchavadh.
The major paradigm shift in sensibility began in the forties with the avant-garde modernist poetry of BS 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 comprised of 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. 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, Shyam Manohar and Visharm Bedekar are well known fiction writers.
PL Deshpande is affectionately referred to as "Pu La". From pure situational humour to modern classics, to Marathi film music direction, "Pu La" did everything. He has written, directed & gave music to a Marathi classic - Gulacha Ganpati. He has also contributed a great deal to Indian classical music, by way of his inspired solo performances on the harmonium.
Vijay Tendulkar (born 1928) has contributed greatly to Marathi drama. His famous plays include Gidhade (Vultures), Sakharam Binder, Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe and Ghasiram Kotwal. Mahesh Elkunchwar and Satish Alekar are other well known contemporary playwrights.
Jnanpith Award Winners for Marathi
- 1974 - Vishnu Sakaram Khandekar - Yayati
- 1987 - Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar 'Kusumagraj'
- See also: Jnanpith Award