Marathi Literature
Art & Culture › Language & Literature · Topic 9.17
Marathi literature is the writing in Marathi, a Southern Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-European family descended from Maharashtri Prakrit, recognised as a classical language on 3 October 2024. Its early landmarks are the Lilacharitra (about 1278, Mahanubhav sect, first Marathi prose) and Dnyaneshwar's Dnyaneshwari (1290), a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. The Varkari saints Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram, and Ramdas's Dasbodh, followed. The modern age brought Jotirao Phule, Tilak, Keshavsut, Dalit writing and four Jnanpith winners: V. S. Khandekar, Kusumagraj, Vinda Karandikar and Bhalchandra Nemade.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Language & Literature
At a Glance
- Also called Marathi, Maharashtri tradition, Mahrathi in older spelling
- Language family Indo-European, Southern Indo-Aryan
- Classical status 3 October 2024
- Oldest prose Lilacharitra
- Jnanpith winners Four
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Language & Literature
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows Punjabi. Marathi was recognised as a classical language in 2024, and its literature is deeply connected with the Nayanars Two streams Saguna and Nirguna Language Regional…">Bhakti movement of the Varkari tradition. Previous topic: Baba Farid Classical status…">Punjabi Literature. Next topic: Hindi Literature.
Which Saints and Works Shaped Early Marathi Literature?
| Figure | Work and note |
|---|---|
| Mukundaraj | Vivekasindhu, claimed as the earliest Marathi poetry, 12th century |
| Chakradhar Swami and Mahanubhav sect | Lilacharitra by Mhaimbhat (about 1278), the earliest Marathi prose, on the life of Chakradhar |
| Dnyaneshwar (1275 to 1296) | Dnyaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika, 1290) and Amrutanubhav; from Alandi; under the Yadava king Ramachandra |
| Namdev | Abhangas; also wrote in Hindi and Punjabi; hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib |
| Eknath (1533 to 1599) | Eknathi Bhagavat, Bhavartha Ramayana, Bharud; of Paithan |
| Tukaram (1608 to 1650) | Abhangas, Tukaram Gatha; from Dehu |
| Ramdas (1608 to 1681) | Dasbodh and Manache Shlok; associated with Shivaji |
| Women saints | Muktabai, Janabai and Soyarabai |
| Shahirs | Powada and Lavani folk composers such as Honaji Bala and Ram Joshi |
Which Modern Writers and Movements Are Important?
| Writer or movement | Details |
|---|---|
| Balshastri Jambhekar | Started Darpan in 1832, the first Marathi newspaper |
| Jotirao Phule | Gulamgiri, Shetkaryacha Asud; reformer |
| Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Kesari (1881); Gita Rahasya |
| Hari Narayan Apte | Novelist; Pan Lakshat Kon Gheto |
| Keshavsut | Krishnaji Keshav Damle; father of modern Marathi poetry |
| V. S. Khandekar | Yayati; Jnanpith 1974 |
| Kusumagraj (V. V. Shirwadkar) | Poet and playwright; Jnanpith 1987 |
| Vinda Karandikar | Poet and critic; Jnanpith 2003 |
| Bhalchandra Nemade | Kosla; Jnanpith 2014 |
| Namdeo Dhasal | Golpitha (1972); Dalit Panthers co-founder |
| Daya Pawar | Baluta (1978), a Dalit autobiography |
| P. L. Deshpande | Humorist and playwright |
What Else Should You Remember?
- Alternate names: Marathi was written as Mahrathi or Maharashtri in old English sources, and Old Marathi is the stage of the 13th to 16th century
- Mahanubhav sect: Chakradhar’s followers used a secret script and wrote in plain Marathi to reach ordinary people, which helped its prose
- Varkari movement: The Varkari sampradaya of Pandharpur worships Vithoba, and its pilgrims walk to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi
- Dnyaneshwari: It explains the Gita in simple Marathi in about nine thousand ovis, and brought Vedanta to the masses
- Marathi and Gita Rahasya: Tilak wrote the Gita Rahasya in Marathi in Mandalay jail, 1910 to 1911
- Shivaji and literature: Court poets wrote the Shivbharat and Bakhars such as the Sabhasad Bakhar, which record Maratha history
- Bakhar: Prose historical chronicles of the Marathas
- Printing: The first Marathi book was printed in the early 19th century, and Marathi printing grew with missionaries and Bombay presses
- Reform: Phule, Agarkar and Ranade used Marathi writing for reform, and the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan first met in 1878 at Pune
- Dalit literature: The Dalit literature movement of the 1960s and 1970s, with the Dalit Panthers formed in 1972, gave strong voice to caste oppression
- Language Day: Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Din is on 27 February, the birth anniversary of Kusumagraj
- Theatre: Sangeet Natak and the Marathi stage have a long history, and Vijay Tendulkar wrote plays such as Ghashiram Kotwal
- Tukaram: His abhangas are in plain, direct speech and attack ritual show and caste pride. Tradition says he disappeared in 1650, and his songs are sung in every Varkari dindi
- Moropant: A poet of the 18th century Peshwa age who wrote Aryabharat, a long version of the Mahabharata in the Arya metre
- Women writers: Irawati Karve, an anthropologist, won the Sahitya Akademi award for her Marathi essays in Yuganta, and Shanta Shelke enriched Marathi poetry and song
- Classical status: Marathi was recognised on 3 October 2024, and support under the classical language scheme includes centres of excellence, chairs and awards
- Related: The saint tradition is covered in Bhakti Movement
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Saints and works: Dnyaneshwar, Eknath, Tukaram, Ramdas
- Firsts: Lilacharitra as earliest prose, Darpan as first newspaper
- Winners: Four Jnanpith awardees
- Movements: Mahanubhav, Varkari, Dalit literature
- Common errors: confusing Dnyaneshwari with the Dasbodh or Tukaram with Eknath
As an analytical point, Marathi literature moved from sacred Sanskrit to the language of the people through its saints, and in modern times it became a vehicle for reform and Dalit assertion, which links language with social change.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Factual Saints and works
- Reform Phule and Dalit writing
- Current affairs Classical status
What Came Next?
Next comes Hindi, the most widely spoken language of India. Next topic: Hindi Literature.
Key People and Terms
- Abhanga Devotional verse
- Ovi Verse form of Dnyaneshwari
- Bakhar Prose chronicle
- Powada Heroic ballad
- Lavani Folk song and dance
- Varkari Pilgrim devotee
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Earliest prose: Lilacharitra.
- Dnyaneshwari: 1290, Gita commentary.
- Dasbodh: Ramdas.
- Jnanpith: 1974, 1987, 2003, 2014.
- Classical status: 2024.
Do Not Confuse With
- Mahanubhav and Varkari Chakradhar’s sect versus Vithoba worshippers
- Dnyaneshwar and Eknath Gita commentary versus Bhagavat commentary
- Dalit literature and Bhakti Modern protest versus medieval devotion
Memory Hook
Prose begins at Lilacharitra, devotion peaks at Dnyaneshwari, protest rises with Dalit pens.
Mains Angle
Questions link literature with devotion and reform. These points give a frame.
- Social reform Phule and Dalit writing
- Bhakti Varkari equality
- Language status Classical recognition
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the contribution of Marathi literature to social reform in Maharashtra.”
How to Answer
- Saints Equality in devotion.
- Reformers Phule and Agarkar.
- Dalit writing Voice of protest.
- Impact Awareness and change.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Marathi literature?
Marathi literature is the writing in the Marathi language of Maharashtra, from the Mahanubhav prose Lilacharitra and Dnyaneshwar's Dnyaneshwari to the Varkari saints, the Bakhars, modern reform writing, Dalit literature and the works of four Jnanpith winners.
Who wrote the Dnyaneshwari?
The Dnyaneshwari, also called Bhavartha Dipika, was written by the saint Dnyaneshwar in 1290 at Newasa in present-day Ahmednagar district. It is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in about nine thousand ovis of simple Marathi, and is a foundation text of the Varkari tradition.
Which language family does Marathi belong to?
Marathi belongs to the Southern Indo-Aryan group of the Indo-European family, descended from Maharashtri Prakrit. It is the main language of Maharashtra and is written in the Devanagari script, sometimes called Balbodh when used for Marathi.
What is the classical language status of Marathi?
Marathi was declared a classical language by the Union Cabinet on 3 October 2024, together with Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali. The country has eleven classical languages as of November 2026, and Marathi has the support of centres and chairs under the scheme.
Why is Marathi literature important for UPSC?
Prelims asks about the Lilacharitra, Dnyaneshwari, Varkari saints, Ramdas, Phule and the four Jnanpith winners. Mains uses it for Bhakti, caste reform and Dalit literature, and it became current affairs content after the 2024 classical language decision.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Dnyaneshwari is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.
Written in 1290.
2 Tukaram wrote the Dasbodh.
The Dasbodh is by Ramdas.
3 Bhalchandra Nemade received the Jnanpith award in 2014.
For Kosla and wider work.
4 Marathi was declared classical in 2013.
It was 2024.
Related Topics
Browse the full Art & Culture index