Maithili Language: The Voice of Mithila

'If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.' Maithili is the heart language of millions in Bihar and Nepal. It is an Indo-Aryan language with a history older than Hindi.

Status and Script

Maithili was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 2003. It is also the second most prevalent language in Nepal. Traditionally written in the 'Tirhuta' or 'Mithilakshar' script, it is now also written in Devanagari.

Literary Heritage

Maithili boasts a rich literature. The 'Varnaratnakara' (1324) is the earliest prose. The great poet Vidyapati raised the language to a level of divine expression. Today, it is taught in universities and is an optional subject in the UPSC exams.