Famous Marathi writers — Tukaram, Dnyaneshwar, Ranade and modern Marathi authors.

Marathi Literature: Study Notes for GTET

Overview

Marathi literature spans over eight centuries and represents one of the richest literary traditions in India. For GTET Language I (Marathi), candidates must demonstrate familiarity with major writers, literary movements, and the evolution of Marathi prose and poetry from the medieval saint-poets to modern authors.

This topic tests your knowledge of canonical figures like Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram, reformist writers like Mahadev Govind Ranade, and modern literary giants. Questions typically ask about the works, periods, and contributions of these writers. Understanding the historical context—Bhakti movement, social reform era, and post-independence modernism—helps you place each author correctly.

Expect 3–5 questions directly on Marathi literature in the Language I section. These often appear as match-the-following, author-work associations, or questions on literary periods and genres.

Key Concepts

**Adi Kavi (First Poet)**: Mukundaraj is considered the first Marathi poet; his work *Vivekasindhu* marks the beginning of Marathi literature in the 13th century.

**Warkari Sampradaya**: The devotional tradition centred on Vithoba worship at Pandharpur. Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram are its pillars. Their abhangas (devotional songs) form the core of medieval Marathi poetry.

**Dnyaneshwari**: Sant Dnyaneshwar's Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, written in ovi metre. It brought Vedantic philosophy to common people in their own language.

**Abhanga**: A devotional poetic form with typically four lines and a refrain. The Warkari saints perfected this genre. Tukaram's abhangas are the finest examples.

**Pandit and Shahir Literature**: Parallel streams—Pandit literature was scholarly and Sanskrit-influenced (e.g., Moropant), while Shahir poetry was folk-heroic ballads praising Maratha warriors (e.g., Shahir Anant Phandi).

**Social Reform Literature**: 19th-century writers like Ranade, Jyotirao Phule, and later Lokahitawadi used prose to advocate social change—widow remarriage, caste abolition, women's education.

**Modern Marathi Literature**: Post-1920s literature diversified into novels, short stories, drama, and experimental poetry. Key names include V.S. Khandekar, P.L. Deshpande, Kusumagraj, and Vijay Tendulkar.

**Dnyanpith Award Winners from Marathi**: V.S. Khandekar (1974, for *Yayati*), Kusumagraj (1987), Vinda Karandikar (2003), and Bhalchandra Nemade (2014).

Formulas / Key Facts

| Writer | Period | Major Work(s) | Contribution | |--------|--------|---------------|--------------| | **Mukundaraj** | 13th century | *Vivekasindhu* | First Marathi poet; Advaita philosophy | | **Sant Dnyaneshwar** | 1275–1296 | *Dnyaneshwari*, *Amritanubhav* | Made Vedanta accessible; ovi metre | | **Sant Namdev** | 1270–1350 | Abhangas | Spread Bhakti to North India; influenced Sikhism | | **Sant Eknath** | 1533–1599 | *Eknathi Bhagwat*, *Bharud* | Bridged scholarly and folk traditions | | **Sant Tukaram** | 1608–1650 | *Tukaram Gatha* (abhangas) | Peak of Warkari poetry; emotional devotion | | **Ramdas Swami** | 1608–1681 | *Dasbodh*, *Manache Shlok* | Spiritual and practical philosophy | | **Moropant** | 1729–1794 | *Kekawali*, *Mahabharata* in Marathi | Pandit kavya; mastered arya metre | | **M.G. Ranade** | 1842–1901 | Essays, speeches | Social reform; liberal economics | | **Jyotirao Phule** | 1827–1890 | *Gulamgiri*, *Shetkaryacha Aasud* | Anti-caste literature; women's education | | **Hari Narayan Apte** | 1864–1919 | *Pan Lakshat Kon Gheto*, historical novels | Father of Marathi novel | | **V.S. Khandekar** | 1898–1976 | *Yayati*, *Amrutvel* | Dnyanpith awardee; philosophical novels | | **Kusumagraj (V.V. Shirwadkar)** | 1912–1999 | *Vishakha*, *Natsamrat* | Poetry and drama; Dnyanpith 1987 | | **P.L. Deshpande** | 1919–2000 | *Vyakti ani Valli*, *Batatyachi Chal* | Humour, essays, music; beloved entertainer | | **Vijay Tendulkar** | 1928–2008 | *Ghashiram Kotwal*, *Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe* | Modern drama; social realism |

**Key Dates to Remember**:

1290: Approximate year Dnyaneshwari was composed (Dnyaneshwar was 16).
1873: Jyotirao Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj.
1974: First Marathi Dnyanpith Award to V.S. Khandekar.

Worked Examples

**Example 1**: *Who is called the father of the Marathi novel, and which work established his reputation?*

**Solution**: Hari Narayan Apte is called the father of the Marathi novel. His historical and social novels like *Pan Lakshat Kon Gheto* (Who Takes Notice?) established the novel as a serious literary form in Marathi during the late 19th century.

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**Example 2**: *Match the following:*

| Column A | Column B | |----------|----------| | 1. Dnyaneshwari | a. Vijay Tendulkar | | 2. Tukaram Gatha | b. Sant Dnyaneshwar | | 3. Ghashiram Kotwal | c. Kusumagraj | | 4. Natsamrat | d. Sant Tukaram |

**Solution**: 1–b, 2–d, 3–a, 4–c

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**Example 3**: *Which literary movement did Sant Tukaram belong to, and what poetic form did he master?*

**Solution**: Sant Tukaram belonged to the Warkari Sampradaya (Bhakti movement centred on Vithoba of Pandharpur). He mastered the abhanga, a four-line devotional verse form. His collection is called *Tukaram Gatha* and contains over 4,000 abhangas expressing intense personal devotion and social critique.

Common Mistakes

**Confusing Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram's periods** → Dnyaneshwar lived in the 13th century (died 1296), while Tukaram lived in the 17th century (died around 1650). Remember: Dnyaneshwar came first by about 300 years.

**Attributing *Dasbodh* to Dnyaneshwar** → *Dasbodh* was written by Ramdas Swami, not Dnyaneshwar. Dnyaneshwar's main works are *Dnyaneshwari* and *Amritanubhav*.

**Mixing up Dnyanpith awardees** → Students often confuse Khandekar's *Yayati* with Kusumagraj's poetry. Khandekar won for prose (novel); Kusumagraj was primarily a poet and dramatist.

**Forgetting Jyotirao Phule's literary contribution** → Phule is often remembered only as a social reformer, but his works like *Gulamgiri* (Slavery, 1873) are foundational texts of anti-caste literature in Marathi.

**Ignoring Shahir poetry** → Exam questions sometimes ask about Peshwa-era literature. Shahir poets like Anant Phandi, Honaji Bala, and Ram Joshi composed powadas (heroic ballads) glorifying Maratha history.

Quick Reference

**Adi Kavi of Marathi**: Mukundaraj (*Vivekasindhu*)
**Dnyaneshwari**: Marathi commentary on Gita by Sant Dnyaneshwar (age 16)
**Abhanga master**: Sant Tukaram — *Tukaram Gatha*
**Father of Marathi novel**: Hari Narayan Apte
**First Marathi Dnyanpith**: V.S. Khandekar (1974) for *Yayati*
**Modern dramatist**: Vijay Tendulkar — *Ghashiram Kotwal*, *Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe*

Marathi Literature