Maithili Journalism (1905-2011)

-Dr. Dhanakar Thakur, Editor, Maithili Sandesh

To a large extent the development of Maithili in modern era was due to various magazines and journals which led to the resurgence in modem writing.

Maithil Hit Sadhan, monthly, (1905-1909, Jaipur,) - though mixed with Hindi is prime mover of Maithili journalism and ShreeMaithili (1925-27, Darbhanga was the first fully Maithili magazine). The list of Maithili magazines is exhaustive it will be prudent to discuss that only few Maithili magazines are continuous and a list of such magazines which were/ are continuous for 5 or more years is very small

From Bharat- Mithila Mod, monthly, (1905-21, Varanasi, by MM Murlidhar Jha and in 1936-41 by Upendranath Jha), served the cause of Maithili in a good manner.

Mithila Mihir, probably served most the cause of Maithili started in 1909 was also the first monthly magazine from Mithila’s Darbhanga which became the first weekly Maithili magazine during 1911-34 and was under the editorship of Surendra Jha ‘Suman’ during 1935-54 and later from Patna from 1960 till 1984 weekly, 20.2.1984 to June 1986 as daily then till 1989 as monthly.

Maithil Prabaha, monthly (1920-1926, Ajmer, Agra), was again mixed with Hindi and served the social cause of Brajasth Maithils and so was Jeevan Prabha (1940-50, Agra and Jhansi),

Maithili Sahitya Patra, quarterly (1936-39, Darbhanga) served Maithili literature’s cause well.

Vaidehi (fortnightly from Sitamarhi in 1950, Darbhanga and then as monthly from 1953 till 1990) had a great role in evolving Maithili writers.

Batuk (1948-54, 1959-70s, Allahabad), a magazine for children had a distinctive place.

Mithila Darshan (1953-73 then renamed Maithili Darshan 1973-80, 2005, again continued since 2009 Kolkata) as Mithila Darshan , is serving Maithili well.

Maithili Sahitya Parishad Patrika quarterly (1962, Darbhanga, 1986, 1995 as ‘Seeta’), Maithili Samachar later Mithila Samachar (from 1963 to 2008 as weekly, fortnightly and then irregularly, Allahabad), a bulletine which spread awareness for Maithili’s plight.

Maithili Akadmi Patrika (1980-1992, 2009, Patna)

Karnamrit (1981-continued, Kolkata), is probably the most regular long-lived magazine.

Mithilanchal Sampark (1981-2006, Darbhanga), was more or less bulletin.

Aarambh (1982-89, 1990-97) concentrated on literary work.

Mati- pani (1983-1988, Patna Bhakha (1987-1992, Patna), Pravask Bhent (1989-1995, Kolkata)- a monthly which I tried to convert in Antarrashtriy Maithili Parishad’s organ in 1993 but its editor did not complied despite taken some advance as honorarium, failing which I started Maithili Sandesh (Ranchi,1994 –continuing as organ of the Antarrashtriy Maithili Parishad almost as a half yearly, 31 issues total till June 2011 , total 188 pages X 178,000 issues distributed almost free and has done immense awareness for Mithila’s statehood, is also read by 1000+ persons on net and though a bulletin of few pages, its pages are compact enough with material and it has instilled some literary and health components too and can be claimed that it has reached most to Maithili speaker than any other magazine.

Koshi-Kamla (1991-95, Patna),

Vidyapati Times fortnightly (2005-continued, Darbhanga)

Maithil Chetna 1994, then 2002 restarted as Khoj Kjhabari and was registered as Ghar Bahar and is continued, Patna) is the journal of Chetna Samiti and has contributed the cause of Maithili but lacks the sharpness to Mithila’s issues.

Janki (1997-2005, Dhanbad) served causes of Jharkhand which was tried by Bagmati- Damodar Times (1997-2003, Hazaribag, Delhi) also.

Antika(1999 - continuing Ghaziabad NCR), hoped to present Maithili’s cause on a wider canvass but it lacked sight and was involved in ‘isms’ which was the cause of its non-approval by conventional Maithili circles.

Aai-kalhi/Samay Saal (2000-continued, Patna), is very regular and is helping encouraging Maithili students in various examinations giving them day to day information on Mithila and nation.

Purvottar Maithil (2001-continued, Guwahati), is a distant sonorous Maithili voice supporting Mithila’s statehood’

Lorik Salhesh Deenabhadri (2003-continued, Darbhanga),

Jakhan-Takhan (2005-10, Darbhanga),

Mithila Darpan (2005, Mumbai), is the first commercially viable Maithili magazine without any organizational support though distance limits its appeal in Mithila, it supports Mithila statehood view.

Bharti (1988-1992, Ranchi) a cyclostyled cyclostyled quarterly

Amongst handwritten Maithili magazines from USA- Maithili (1983-1995).mostly handwritten and some page typed was a source of inspiration that from very distant too one can work for the motherland.

Currently available (2011) Maithili magazines which are 5 years old at least-

Karnamrit Quarterly (1981, Kolkata),

Maithili Sandesh, quarterly (Ranchi, 1994), Antika quarterly (1999, Ghaziabad)

Samay Saal bimonthly (2000, Patna), Purvottar Maithil quarterly (2001, Guwahati)

Ghar Bahar . quarterly (2003, Patna), Mithila Darpan, bimonthlyb(2005, Mumbai), Vidyapati Times, fortnightly (2005, Darbhanga),

Though every magazine has contributed to the growth of Maithili, the magazines have been started more on whims and many such had no second issue and almost have resulted in Aniyatkalin(non fixed time) because of the lack of consistency and financial non-support by the subscribers.

The print order of such magazines had been much less than expected. Is my candid opinion that unless we get Mithila state in India Maithili newspapers can’t thrive for lack of advertisement, Ironically Maithili magazines (and also organizations) have not starved for Mithila State though without statehood Maithili’s recognition in the VIII Schedule is not going to yield desired results.

Irregular publication and closure of magazine after single or few issues give a bad name and purchasers loss trust in Maithili publishers as they do not get issues for the annual/life subscription they had paid for. Any publisher of less than three years should not ideally ask for annual and less than 5 years of life subscription. Many young enthusiastic who publish/ edit Maithili journals do not understand that change comes gradually and Maithili literary psyche, may take time to change provided one is working without self-aggrandizement which is difficult to achieve.



The complete list (year wise of publication) of Maithili journals-



From Bharat-



A. 1905-1936 - Pre-Independence phase

(will be discussed as 1905-11(pre-Bihar formation period), 1911-1936( pre-Odiasa partition) and 1936-1947 phase)



1.Non Resident Maithil operated (Pravasi Maithil sanchalit)-



Jaipur centred- Maithil Hit Sedan, monthly, (1905-1909, Jaipur,),



Varanasi centred- Mithila Mod, monthly, (1905-21, Varanasi, by MM Murlidhar Jha and in 1936-41 by Upendranath Jha),



2.Resident Maithil operated (Nivasi Maithil Sanchalit)-



Mithila centred- Mithila Mihir (1909, monthly magazine from Darbhanga,became the first weekly Maithili magazine during 1911-34 and was under the editorship of Surendra Jha ‘Suman’ during 1935-54 and later from Patna from 1960 till 1984 weekly, 20.2.1984 to June 1986 as daily then till 1989 as monthly.

ShreeMaithili(1925-27, Darbhanga was the first fully Maithili magazine),

Maithil Prabhakar(1928-30, Aligarh),

Mithila (1929, Darbhanga),

Mithila Mitra ( the first Maithili fortnightly 1931-32,Sultanganj by Krishnagarh Banaili Estate),

Maithili Sahitya Patra, quarterly (1936-39, Darbhanga),

Bharti (1937, Darbhanga),

Bibhuti (1937, Muzaffarpur),

Sahitya Patra (Darbhanga),

Satya Sandesh(1943, Lohna, Darbhanga by Kanchinath Jha’Kiran’)



3.Brajasth Maithil operated (Brajasth Maithil sanchalit)-

Brajasth Maithil centred- Maithil Prabaha, monthly (1920-1926, Ajmer, Agra) , Maithil Bandhu(from1935 irregularly till1978, Ajmer),

Maithil Yuvak (1938-41, Ajmer),

Jeevan Prabha (1940-50, Agra and Jhansi),









B. 1947-1965 (post- Independence, pre-Sahitya Akademi phase)



Swadesh (1948, Darbhanga by Surendra Jha 'Suman' as monthly and again in 1965 as the first Maithili daily newspaper),

Mithila Jyoti (1948, Patna),

Pallava (from 1948 irregularly till 1958 from a village Nehra in Darbhanga district),

Vaidehi (fortnightly from Sitamarhi in 1950, Darbhanga and then as monthly from 1953 till 1990),

Batuk (1948-54, 1959-70s, Allahabad), -importance being for children

Mithila (1952-53 by Dr. Laxman Jha as first fully Maithili weekly 1957, 1968 as monthly),

Mithila Darshan (1953-73 then renamed Maithili Darshan 1973-80, 2005, again continued since 2009 Kolkata as Mithila Darshan),

Mithila Sevak weekly (1954-57, Kolkata),

Nirman weekly (1954-56, Darbhanga),

Mithila Doot(1955,Kanpur),

Chaupadi (1955-57, Patna),

Nutan Vishwa(1957, Darbhanga),

Dhiyaputa(1957-60,Lohna),

Sishu (Darbhanga ),

Ijot (1960, Darbhanga),

Abhivyanjana bimonthly(1960, Patna, Saharsa),

Maithili Sahitya Parishad Patrika quarterly (1962, Darbhanga, 1986, 1995 as ‘Seeta’), Abhiyan quarterly(1963, Patna),

Akshat (1963-64, Sarisabpahi, Darbhanga),

Maithili Samachar later Mithila Samachar ( from 1963 to 2008 as weekly,, fortnightly and then irregularly, Allahabad),

Janak weekly ( 1964-65, Darbhanga),

Maithili Parijat, fortnightly (1964, Darbhanga),

Samanvay (Dumka, 1964),





C. 1965-2003 (Post Sahitya Akademi inclusion phase)



Anama (1965, 1978-80, Patna),

Sampark Sootra, fortnightly (1966, handwritten ,Assam),

Akhar (1967, Kolkata),

Mithila Amar (1967, Aligarh),

Mithilavani weekly (1968, Darbhanga),

Maithili Kavita quarterly(1968, Kolkata),

Mithila Manch quarterly (1968, Varanasi),

Maithili Prakash (half yearly in 1968, later tri-yearly, Kolkata),

Sonamati (1969-72,Patna),

Mithila Bharti quarterly later bimonthly (1969-71, Darbhanga),

Mithila Bhumi quarterly (1969-70, Jamshedpur, 1973, Darbhanga),

Maithili Alok (1969, Firozabad), Lokmanch half yearly(1969, Kolkata),

Swadeshvani (1969, Deoghar),

Baghmati( 1970, Darbhanga),

Mithila quarterly (Mumbai, 1970),

Maithili mini magazine ‘Mi.’ (1970, 10 cm x 6 cm sized),

Mithila Times weekly (1971-72, Darbhanga),

Matrivani fortnightly (1971, Darbhanga), Shaktibhumi (1971, Darbhanga),

Maithili Anusandhan (1971, Allahabad),

60K weekly(1972, Darbhanga),

Ambar Jyoti (1972, Darbhanga),

Changur (1972, Satgandha, Saharsa),

Ook weekly (1972, Darbhanga),

Agnipatra (1973, Kolkata),

Sameeksha (Darbhanga, 1973),

Maithili Rangmanch ( 1973, Kolkata),

Charcha weekly (1974, Darbhanga),

Shikha (1974, Kolkata then Darbhanga),

Mithila Samuday( Delhi, 1975),

Maithili Bulletin (Kolkata), 1975-76 approx.

Tatka (1976,Jamshedpur),

Tatka (Darbhanga by Dinraj Shandiya),

Ego Rahathi Raja Laldhuan (1976-77, Shibnagar, Madhubani),

Farak (1976-77, Patna),

Aahuti quarterly (1978, Lohna),

Samad weekly (1978, Patna),

Vikalp weekly (1978, Patna),

Pag (1978, BHU, Varanasi),

Mithila Bharti bimonthly(1979, Patna),

Maithili Academy Patrika( 1980-1992, 2009, Patna),

Sankalp( 1980, Supaul),

Karnamrit( 1981-continued, Kolkata),

Mithilanchal Sampark (1981-2006, Darbhanga),

Desh kosh (1981-1983, Kolkata then Patna 1991-94),

Videh( Mumbai, 1981),

Tirhut Mail weekly (1981, Delhi),

Aarambh( 1982-89,1990-97,),

Bhangima half-yearly (1983-continued,Patna),

Rachna(1984, 1989, 2002(Darbhanga),

Mati- pani (1983-1988, Patna),

Non-Tel(1984, Madhubani),

Mithila Sourabh (1984, Barauni),

Koshi Kusum (1984, Saharsa),

Jnanlok (1984, Sarisabpahi, Darbhanga),

Swati (1984-85, Muzaffarpur),

Basat (1985, Darbhanga),

Haalchaal (1985, Patna),

Mithilavani (1986, Jamshedpur),

Sandarbh (1986, Darbhanga),

Chingi (1986, Darbhanga),

Lokbed (1986, Madhubani),

Sannipat (1986, Patna),

Mahur (Darbhanga),

Kush, a mini-magazine (1986, Patna),

Bhumhur (Darbhanga),

Bhur (Darbhanga),

Bhakha (1987-1992, Patna),

Kushalkshem(1988, Singhwada, Darbhanga),

Drishti (1987, Patna),

Pushpanjali (1988, Deoghar),

Pravask Bhent (1899-1995, Kolkata),

Bharti (1988-1992, Ranchi)

Koshi-Kamla(1991-95, Patna),

Aankhi-Pankhi (1991-94, Maubehat, Darbhanga),

Mithila Express( 1992, Bokaro),

Maithili Alochana (1992, Darbhanga),

Chaturang (1992, Ashapur, Benipur, Darbhanga),

Mithila Parikrama (1993, Darbhanga),

Dhar (1993-95, Supaul),

Anuvarta (1993-95, Kolkata),

Maithili Sandesh (Ranchi,1994 -continuing ),

Mithila Samad (1995, Kolkata),

Navturia annual (1993-96, Kanpur),

Maithil Chetna 1994, then 2002 restarted as Khoj Kjhabari and was registered as Ghar Bahar and is continued, Patna),

Jibachh (1995, Kalikapur, Jaynagar, Madhubani, Handwritten),

Pravasi (Allahabad 1995),

Jijnasa, half yearly(1995-96, Ranti, Madhubani),

Sandhan aurally (1997-2000, Patna),

Janki (1997-2005 , Dhanbad),

Baghmati- Damodar Times (1997-2003, Hazaribag, Delhi),

Mithila Prakash (1998-99, Delhi),

Antika(1999 - continuing Ghaziabad NCR),

Kachot ( Jamshedpur, 1999),

Aai-kalhi/Samay Saal (2000-continued, Patna),

Maithil Jan (2000, Delhi),

Aakanksha (2000-2001, Darbhanga),

Maithili Times (2000, Delhi),

Mithijan (2000, Dhanbad),

Purvottar Maithil (2001-continued, Guwahati),

Mithila Chamberk Sanes (2001, Kolkata),

Jai Mithila (2001, Darbhanga),

Mithila Surabhi (2001-2004, Bahedi, Darbhanga),

Deshaj (2001, Mahishi, Saharsa),

Bhorukwa (2001, Kolkata),),

Desil Bayna( 2002, Patna, Kolkata 1980-1982),

Aankur(2002, Delhi),

Mithila Express (2002, Delhi),,

Jan Manthan (2003, Delhi),

Shreemithila(2003, Kolkata),

Lorik Salhesh Deenabhadri (2003-continued, Darbhanga),

Sutradhar (2003-04, Saharsa),

Chetan Mithila/ Mithila Mahan (Patna2003-4),





D. 2004-2011(Post VIII Schedule inclusion phase)-



Lokbhumi (2004-05, Rahika, Madhubani),

Vidyapati Times(2005-continued, Darbhanga),

Jakhan-Takhan(2005-10,Darbhanga),

Siya-Dhiya(2005, Madhubani),

Dhartik Beti (2005-09, Darbhanga),

Haalchal (2005, Darbhanga),

Mithila Darpan(2005, Mumbai),

Mandan Niket , half-yearly (2005, Maladh, Supaul),

Hilkor Ek Disha ( 2006-2009, Khagaria),

Janbhakha quarterly (started as Mithijanvani 2007,Ranchi),

Mithilangan quarterly (2008, Delhi),

Navturia (2008, Varanasi),

Dachhin Mithila (2008-09, Begusarai),

Jharkhandk Sanes (Jamshedpur 2009-continued),

Ham Maithil (2009, Kolkata),

Samvet (2009, Patna),

Sandhya Gosthi (2009-continned, Patna),

Mithila Srijan bimonthly (2010-continued, Madhubani),

Navarambha (2010, Patna),

Purvottar Maithil Samaj (2010, Guwahati) ,

Pakshadhar fortnightly (2010,Ranchi),



Year of publication etc, could not get-

Videha-Sadeha (Delhi),

Bhoor (Darbhanga),

Mahur (Darbhanga),

Mumbai- Pravin mishra’s from nerul

Mumbai -2002-03 Ijot- Saraswati navjivan siciety ulhasnagar

Samachakeva fortnightly 2-3 ank dileep jha, Kalyan west



Handwritten –

Hitaishi(Darbhanga),

Ayachi (Lalganj),

Govind(Lohna),

Akshat(Pahi),

Kiran(Kathwar),

Lochan(Raiyam),

ithila Manas(Ghoghardiha),

Mitravani(Thadhi),

Prabhat(Koilakh),

Mandar(Nawani),

Janki(Ujan),

Kaushiki(Purina),

Saurabh(Supaul),

Sanjiwani (Darbhanga),

Matribani (Tharhi),

Bharti Mandan(Maladh,Supaul),

Apan Desha (Darbhanga),

Mithila Bhumi (Darbhanga),

Mithila Darpan (Mumbai),

Rricha (Darbhanga),

Sah-Rasa( Saharsa),

from Varanasi- Maithili Sudhakar, Mithiloday, Bharti, Vaidehi,

Sampark Sootra, fortnightly (1966, handwritten , Pandu, Assam),

Maithili(a handwritten magazine from USA published for at least 12 years at least), Jibachh (1995, Kalikapur, Jaynagar, Madhubani, Handwritten),

From USA- Maithili (1983-1995).mostly handwritten and some page typed

From Nepal-

Balsakha(Janakpurdham),

Navjagaran (Jankpurdham, 2016 Vikarm samvat),

Ijot(Kathmandu, 2027 Vikarm Sambat),

Maihtili ( Biratnagar, 2027 Vikarm Samvat),

Foolpat( Kathmandu, 2030 Vikarm sambat),

Archana ( Janakpurdham, 2045 Vikram Samvat),

Pallav (2049 Vikarm Samvat, Kathmandu),

Mithila weekly (2055, Vikram Samvat, Rajbiraj),

Salhesvani ( 2056 Vikram Samvat, Marari,Sirha),

Gamghar (Janakpur),

Hindi magazine (few lines in Maithili) –

Sanesh weekly (2000. Ahmedabad)

Maithili Pravahika (2007-continuing. Raipur

Columns in Maithili in Hindi Newspapers-

Prabhat Khabar, Ranchi- (June 1990- continuing) weekly by Surendra Pathak

Ranchi Express, Ranchi-(1992-2000)- Weekly on Sunday by Ram Ekbal Singh ‘Vineet’, Dr. Dhanakar Thakur(100 columns) and some by others

Hindustan, Ranchi (2007-09)- weekly by Subodh Choudhary

Dainik Jagaran, Patna (2008-09) weekly by Umakant Jha

Hindustan, Darbhanga (2008-10) weekly by Bhimnath Jha

Hindustan, Patna (2009- by Shardindu Choudhary 18 columns on alternate day during election; 2010-11 weekly by Birendra Narayan Jha on every Saturday

Jansatta Kolkata had once supplement on Maithili in Sabrang.



E-journal/newspapers (needs input from various sources including from Nepal)

E-Samad (14.1.2007)- first Maithili e-newspaper

Videha, e-journal, (2007- Berma, Nirmali), fortnightly 83rd issue released in June 2011,





Souvenirs (which helped Maithili cause but hardly can be counted as journals)-

an incomplete list needs input and corrections -

Vidyapati Smriti Patrika (1956-88, Kolkata) of Mithila Sanskritik Parishad

Chetana Samiti Smarika ( 1971--continuing , Patna) Mithila Navyauvak Sangh (1986, Kolkata)

Bhangima, half-yearly (1983, Patna) - on acts and play in Maithili.

Paramhas Laxminath Goswami Samiti- 1976, 2010

Chetna Parishad, Supaul

Arpan, yearly souvenir of Vidyapati Seva Sansthan (1984-continued, Darbhanga),

Vidyapati Smarak Samiti, Ranchi (1980-1989

Mithila Sanskritik parishad, Bokaro (1975-76, continuing 78-79

Antrarashtriy Maithili parishad- Antarrashtriy Maithili Sammelan Smarika(1993,Ranchi; 2000 Jamshedpur,)

Mithila Mahotsav, Saraikela-Kharsawan, 2008,

Mithila Sanskritik Parishad, Jamshedpur (1961, 1999- 2001-2010)

Maithil Mahila Samiti Smarika( Patna,2004-continuing )

Lalit Smarika- Jamshedpur (1988—continuing)

Vidyapati Parishad, Dhanbad

Maithili Parishad, Chaibasa

Mithilakshar, Jamshedpur (1989-94)

Achhinjal- mila lok manch

Harshpati singh mahaviyalaya madhepur 1982-83

Pravasi( Hyderabad 1994),

Mithilaytan(Raipur)

Bharati(1997- 2006), a souvenir.of MECON-SAIL’s Maithils’ Vidyapati Parva

Jharkhand Maithili Manch, Ranchi(1999-2001, 2004-11)

Aripan (2001--, Patna),



Kokil Manch (1999--, Kolkata),

Vaidehi kala Manch

Vidyapati Smarak Manch(

Mithila Navyuvak Sangh (2001-2010) Faridabad

NOIDA- 1990s

Maithilsangh , Bhilai, 1990s

Durgapur Maithil Samaj- 1980s

Vidyapati parishad, Meghahatuburu, Kiriburu 1990s

Bhumija/ Mithimalini (2001-07, Bhagalpur),

Vidyapati Parishad Souvenir (2005, Samastipur),

Mithila Navyuvak Sangh, West Binodpur(200..

Samidha (2009, Delhi),

Shambhavi (2010, Madhubani), Souvenir

Rajnandgaon (2010)

Navchetna(2010, Risra, Kolkata)

Jan chetana( 2011, Dalsingsarai)

Maithili Parishad (2011, HEC, Ranchi)





Currently available (2011) Maithili magazines (need subscription to run them smoothly)-



Name

From year

Place

Frequency

Price

contact


Karnamrit

1981

Kolkata

Quarterly

20

033-24185394


Maithili Sandesh

1994

Ranchi

Quarterly

5

9430141788


Vidyapati Times

1995

Darbhanga

Fortnightly

2

9934206330


Antika

1999

Ghaziabad

Quarterly

20

9871856053


Samay Saal

2000

Patna

Bimonthly

15

9334102305


Purvottar Maithil

2001

Guwahati

Quarterly

20

9435342658


Ghar Bahar

2002

Patna

Quarterly

15

0612-2230405


Mithila Darpan

2005

Mumbai

Bimonthly

20

9323282521


Janbhakha

2008

Ranchi

Quarterly

20

9931346334


Mithila Darshan

2009

Kolkata

Bimonthly

25

9433303716


Jharkhandk Sanes

2009

Jamshedepur

Quarterly

15

9006056324


Mithila Srijan

2010

Madhubani

Bimonthly

15

8986312492


Pakshadhar

2010

Ranchi

Fortnightly

20

9934525459


Purvottar Maithil Samaj

2010

Guwahati

Quarterly

20

9435048284


Mithila Samad

2009

Kolkata

Daily

2

033-22236978


I congratulate Mithila Samad’s managing director that they have run it for over two years and it is available at Darbhanga and Madhubani stations too.



Bibliography-.1. Maithili patrakaritak Itihas- Chandranath Mishra ‘Amar’

2. Maithili patrakarita ke sau varsh- Dr. Yoganand Jha