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Marathi literature is India’s oldest tradition, dating back 1,000 years. It is deeply rooted in India’s rich literary tradition. This literature is a major part of the socio-political changes in Maharashtra and contributes to a variety of societal issues. From religious poetry to modern storytelling, Marathi literature is a vibrant tradition. In this section, we shall look at Marathi literature and its significance in Indian history. This is an important part of the Indian literature which may appear in competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC and EPFO. Continue reading to enhance your knowledge about such topics.
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Marathi Literature and its Historical Background
Marathi literature is one of India’s most ancient and rich literary traditions. Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken mostly in Maharashtra. This place has served as a home for literary expressions that reflect the social, cultural, and religious life of the region.
Marathi literature can be dated back to the 9th century. The Jain Mahabharata, written by Saint Bhaskarabhatta Borikar in the 13th century, is the earliest Marathi literary work. The Mahanubhava and Warkari movements helped shape Marathi literature.
Mahanubhava Literature: Chakradhar Swami founded the Mahanubhava sect in the 13th century. This literature contained both prose and poetry. The Leela Charitra and Sutra Path are important texts from this period.
Warkari Literature: The Warkari movement revolved around devotion to Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur. Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram were famous saints of the time for writing spiritual books and devotional poetry. Dnyaneshwari, a Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, is an important work of Warkari literature.
Also Read: Prakrit Literature: A Language Older Than Sanskrit
Bhakti Movement And Marathi Literature
The Bhakti movement played a crucial role in medieval Marathi literature. This period saw a rise in devotional poetry, and many saints contributed to it. Saints such as Sant Namdev, Sant Eknath, and Sant Tukaram wrote in a language that the common people could understand, which promoted literary culture.
- Tukaram’s Abhanga Gath is one of the most renowned works of this era, reflecting devotion and social issues.
- Several historical and epic works were written in Marathi literature throughout the 17th century, including Kavindra Paramananda’s Shivabharat and the Bakhar literature.
- Shivaji Maharaj’s reign encouraged many poets and historians to write about his life and accomplishments.
Marathi Literature: Significance
The 19th century saw the beginning of a period of social revolution in Marathi literature. This era saw the rise of prose literature, including novels, essays, and journalism.
- Balshastri Jambhekar is known as the father of Marathi journalism. He established the first Marathi newspaper, Darpan, in 1832.
- Jyotirao Phule used literature to promote social reform, addressing issues like caste inequality, education, and women’s rights. Rao’s writings laid the foundation for Dalit literature in Marathi.
Marathi novels first appeared in the late 19th and early 20th century. The early books of the time included Madhali Sthiti by Hari Narayan Apte and Nana Saheb’s speech by Vishnu Shastri Chiplunkar.
- Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar won India’s highest literary honour, the Jnanpith Award, for his novel Yayati.
The 20th century saw the growth of Dalit literature in Marathi. This powerful movement was motivated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s teachings, giving voice to the marginalised Dalit community.
- Baburao Bagul, Namdeo Dhasal, and Daya Pawar were among the founders of Dalit literature.
- Dalit literature in Marathi is known for its direct expression of pain, rage, and a need for justice.
The post-independence era provided a wide range of themes and genres to Marathi Literature.
- Vijay Tendulkar is a well-known Marathi playwright whose works deal with human emotions and societal norms. His most notable works include Ghashiram Kotwal and Sakharam Binder.
- Bhalchandra Nemade is another notable personality in Marathi literature who explored the rural-urban divide and socio-cultural changes in Maharashtra.
- The feminist movement in Marathi literature gained popularity in the late 20th century.
- Female writers such as Durga Bhagwat, Shanta Shelke, Shanta Gokhale, and Meena Prabhu talk about problems of gender, patriarchy, and women’s rights.
Also Read: Assamese Literature: Overview, Types, People and More
Marathi Literature: Evolution
Marathi literature has evolved with time, embracing new genres and exploring modern issues. The growth of digital media has provided new opportunities for Marathi writers to reach a larger audience.
- Marathi poetry is a dynamic form of literary expression. Poets such as Mangesh Narayanrao Kale and Sandeep Khare gained recognition for their modern poetry.
- Short story forms grew in popularity, with writers such as Uddhav Shelke and Jaywant Dalvi contributing to their diversity.
- Marathi Literature has also found a voice in the diaspora, where the themes of migration and identity as well as living between two cultures are commonly explored.
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Marathi literature is India’s oldest tradition, dating back 1,000 years. It is deeply rooted in India’s rich literary tradition. This literature is a major part of the socio-political changes in Maharashtra and contributes to a variety of societal issues. From religious poetry to modern storytelling, Marathi literature is a vibrant tradition.
The prominent writers of the Bhakti period were Sant Namdev, Sant Eknath, and Sant Tukaram.
The 20th century saw the growth of Dalit literature in Marathi. This powerful movement was motivated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s teachings, giving voice to the marginalised Dalit community.
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