Marathi literature (मराठी साहित्य) is one of the most flourishing, progressive and popular elements of Indian literature.

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). 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) Dasabodh and Manache Shlok are well-known products of this tradition. The Mahaanubhaav sect was started by Chakradhar swaami who propagated a religious movement in which all were accepted irrespective of their castes and the traditional ritualistic religion was rejected. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Sant Dnyaneshwar (1275-1296) (ज्ञानेश्वर in Marathi) (also known as Jnanadeva - ज्ञानदेव or Jnaneshvar - ज्ञानेश्वर) was a 13th century rebel saint-poet born in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state, west India. ... // April 22 - The first of the Statutes of Westminster are passed by the English parliament, establishing a series of laws in its 51 clauses, including equal treatment of rich and poor, free and fair elections, and definition of bailable and non-bailable offenses. ... March 30 - Edward I stormed Berwick-upon-Tweed, sacking the then Scottish border town with much bloodshed. ... The Dnyaaneshwari is the commentary on Bhagavad Gita written by Marathi saint poet Dnyaneshwar. ... The Dnyaaneshwari (or Gyaneshwari) is the commentary on Bhagavad Gita written by Marathi saint poet Dnyaneshwar. ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... Namdev, Nam Dev, or Saint Namdev (1270-1350) born to a low-caste tailor named Damasheti and his wife, Gonabi in the village of Naras-Vamani, in the district of Maharashtra, India. ... Sant Eknath (1533 - 1599) was one of the remarkable saints of Maharashtra, India. ... Events June 19 - Battle of Landriano - A French army in Italy under Marshal St. ... Year 1599 was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ... Sant Tukaram (तुकाराम) (c. ... Early Life Samarth Ramdas (1608-1681) is considered one of the greatest Hindu saints of Indian history. ... Events March 18 - Sissinios formally crowned Emperor of Ethiopia May 14 - Protestant Union founded in Auhausen. ... Events March 4 - Charles II of England grants a land charter to William Penn for the area that will later become Pennsylvania. ...

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. 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 Padavas 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.^[1] For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ...

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 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 1841. Later Kirioskar (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 quiet 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.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 (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. 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (April 11, 1827 - November 28, 1890), also known as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule was an activist and social reformer from Maharashtra, critical of caste relations in Western India and noted for his work in the upliftment of widows and the lower castes in India. ... Mahadev Govind Ranade (16 January 1842 - 16 January 1901) was an Indian lawyer, reformer and author. ... Hari Narayan Apte (1864-1919) is acknowledged to be the founder of the modern Marathi novel and of the modern Marathi short story as well. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Lokmanya Tilak Introduction Bal Gangadhar Tilak (July 2, 1856-August 1, 1920) was a political activist for Indian independence who was imprisoned for his activities. ... Kesari is also the village located in the prefecture of Corinthia in Greece, see Kesari, Greece Kesari is a Marathi newspaper founded by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, considered the father of the Indian Independance movement. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Prahlad Keshav Atre (13-Aug-1898 to 13-Jun-1969), better known as Acharya Atre, was an Indian playwright and novelist in the Marathi language, and a major contributor to Marathi literature. ... Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar, popularly known in Maharashtra, India, and in the larger Marathi community as Kusumagraj, was a well-known and renowned Marathi poet. ... Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, known as Sane Guruji to his followers, was a famous Marathi author and social activist. ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shyamachi Aai (Shyams mother) is hailed as one of the greatest tribute to mothers love in Marathi literature. ... Astika (Sanskrit:, one who acknowledges) is a term used in Hinduism to refer to a person or philosophical school that accepts the Vedas. ... Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (11 January 1898 – 2 September 1976 CE), a noted Marathi writer was born in Sangli. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour conferred in the Republic of India. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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 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. 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 and Visharm Bedekar are well known fiction writers. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... In South Asias caste system, a Dalit; often called an untouchable; is a person of shudra; the lowest of the four castes. ... Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 or 1892 - December 6, 1956) was the most prominent Indian Untouchable leader of the 20th century. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social restriction and social stratification, enforced by law or common practice, based on endogamy, occupation, economic status, race, ethnicity, etc. ... Bhalchandra Nemade Bhalchandra Nemade (b. ... Arun Balkrishna Kolatkar (1932-2004) is one of the most important and influential poets in the post Independence Indian poetry. ... Dilip Purushottam Chitre (born 1938) is one of the foremost Indian writers and critics to emerge in the post Independence era. ... Vasant Abaji Dahake (1942) is a well known Marathi poet, playwright, short story writer, artist and critic. ... This article focuses on the cultural movement labeled modernism or the modern movement. See also: Modernism (Roman Catholicism) or Modernist Christianity; Modernismo for specific art movement(s) in Spain and Catalonia. ... Sarang, Vilas (1942-) Article from Literary Encylopedia Novelist, Short story writer, Literary critic, Poet. ...

The another major paradigm shift in Marathi sensibility began in the nineties with the another avant-garde modernist poetry of poets associated with Abhidhanantar, Sausthav and Shabadavedh. In the post nineties, this 'new little magazine movement' gained momentum and poets like Manya joshi,Hemant Divate,Sachin Ketkar,Mangesh Kale,Salil Wagh,Nitin Kulkarni,Varjesh Solanki 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.

Jnanpith awards

Three Marathi writers have been honored by Jnanpith awards given by Government of India. They include The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour conferred in the Republic of India. ...

• Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar (Kusumagraj)
• V. S. Khandekar
• Vinda Karandikar

Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar, popularly known in Maharashtra, India, and in the larger Marathi community as Kusumagraj, was a well-known and renowned Marathi poet. ... Govind Vinayak Karandikar (born August 23, 1918), better known as Vinda Karandikar is a famous Marathi poet. ...

Sahitya Akademi awards

An annual award for Marathi writers is given by the Sahitya Akademi.^[2] Winners include S. N. Pendse. The Sahitya Akademi is an Indian organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. ... Shripad Narayan Pendse (b. ...

References

1. ^ Indiasite's page on Marathi
2. ^ Sahitya Akademi awards

External links

• Marathi Sahitya - Gramin
• Contemporary Marathi Writers
• Brief history of marathi literature
• Contemporary Marathi Poetry
• Marathi Writers
• Marathi Poets
• Marathi Poems Database
• Marathi jokes online