The Ministry of Human Resource Development has taken significant steps towards endorsing the Maithili language and its scripts based on recommendations from a committee formed in 2018. Several measures, such as the establishment of script and manuscript center in Darbhanga, completion of Unicode scripts of Mithilakshar work, and creation of audio-visual materials for teaching the Mithilakshar scripts, have been approved.
About the Mithilakshar Script
Mithilakshar, also known as Tirhuta, is a script belonging to the broader Mithila culture. It shares similarities with other scripts such as Bangla, Assamese, Nebari, Odia, and Tibetan. Mithilakshar script has ancient origins, dating back to the 10th Century AD, with its earliest form found in Sahodara stone inscriptions of 950 AD. The script was widely used across Mithila, ranging from Champaran to Deoghar. Unfortunately, its usage has seen a significant decline over the past century, contributing to a cultural decline.
Understanding the Maithili Language
The Maithili language hails from Bihar and is part of the eastern subgroup of the Indo-Aryan branch. It has close ties to Bhojpuri and Magadhi languages. According to linguists, the development of Maithili language evolved from Magadhan Prakrit. During the medieval era, it served as the literary language for all of Eastern India. The language gained popularity in the fourteenth century through the writings of poet Vidyapati, solidifying its importance in literature. The Maithili language gained constitutional status in 2003, joining the ranks of the 22 languages mentioned in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
Key Facts: Maithili Language and Mithilakshar Script
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Language Family | Indo-Aryan |
| Constitutional Status | Accorded in 2003 |
| Script Origin | Sahodara stone inscriptions of 950 AD |
| Development Center | Darbhanga |
| Type of Script | Mithilakshar |
Preservation Initiatives by the Ministry of Human Resource Development
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has decided to establish a script and manuscript center in Darbhanga at either Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University or Lalit Narayan Mithila University following the recommendations of the 2018 committee. This center will focus on preserving and promoting the Mithilakshar scripts and the Maithili language. In addition, the ministry plans to complete work pertaining to Unicode scripts of Mithilakshar under the Technology Development of Indian Languages project. Besides, the preparation of audio-visual teaching resources for Mithilakshar scripts is also on the cards. With these developments, the Ministry aims to halt the decline of the Maithili language and Mithilakshar scripts, thereby preserving an integral part of our cultural heritage.
