VIEWING MARATHI THROUGH THE LENS OF SOCIAL DIVISION

 VIEWING MARATHI THROUGH THE LENS OF SOCIAL DIVISION


Cheryl Sharma
Olive Saraf
Sabhayata Singh
Sayantani Paul
Shiny Pinto
Shreya Rajashekhar Hiremath


ABSTRACT: The paper explores how language can be used differently by different sections
and classes of society. The preexisting dialects and their contemporary usages and relevance
are explored. The paper also attempts to view the language through the ‘Political Lense’ and
the operating powers that influence the usage and growth of the language in that particular
geographical area and beyond.
Keywords: Language, Marathi, Linguistics, dialects, classes

INTRODUCTION:

Marathi, a rich and vibrant language, holds a special place in the tapestry of India's
linguistic diversity. With over 83 million speakers, it stands as the third most widely spoken
language in India, following Hindi and Bengali. The history and evolution of Marathi are a
testament to the resilience and adaptability of this language, as it has undergone significant
transformations over the centuries, shaping its unique identity.

The roots of Marathi can be traced back to the Maharashtri Prakrit, an ancient
language spoken in the region now known as Maharashtra. Over time, Marathi absorbed
influences from Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and other regional languages, resulting in a
linguistic blend that reflects the state's diverse cultural heritage. This linguistic diversity is
further enriched by the existence of several dialects within the Marathi language, each
offering a unique flavour to its speakers.

In the realm of modern literature, Marathi authors have consistently made their
presence felt, with works that explore contemporary issues, social dynamics, and human
emotions. Writers like Pu La Deshpande, V. S. Khandekar, and Vijay Tendulkar have won
national acclaim for their literary contributions. Marathi literature also boasts a robust
tradition of poetry, with poets like Kusumagraj and Mangesh Padgaonkar achieving
widespread recognition.

The importance of Marathi extends beyond literature. It plays a pivotal role in the
cultural and political identity of the state of Maharashtra. Marathi is not just a means of
communication; it is a symbol of unity and pride for the people of Maharashtra. The vibrant
Marathi film industry, commonly known as Marathi Chitrapat, has also made significant
strides in recent years, producing critically acclaimed films like "Sairat" that have garnered
international attention.

HISTORY, ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION:

Of all the Indo-Aryan languages that have arisen from the Indian subcontinent,
Marathi has been extensively studied. Having a rich culture and history of almost over a
thousand years, the emergence of the same is from the Maharashtrian Prakrit, an old Prakrit
language that was spoken in the then Maharashtra (or the western-central part of India).
Much research has been made to concrete the genesis of the language, of which Southworth
(1971), Junghare(2009) and Kulkarni-Joshi (2012-2013) are important. The former scholars
have stated that the contemporary Marathi spoken, has surfaced because of the gradual
convergence between the Maharashtrian Prakrit and the local Prakrit pidgin creole.



Though Sonal Kulkarni-Joshi has stated otherwise in her paper, she assumes it was
royal patronage for a particular language that impacted the language process. ‘Given that at
least six main dynasties have ruled in this region in about 1500 years of which Kannada
received royal favour for about 600 years, the influence of Kannada must be visible in the
linguistic structure of old Marathi’ said Kulkarni-Joshi. Of the 6 dynasties that ruled
Maharashtra between the 3rd century BC and 14th century AD only the Sarvanana’s,
Vakatak’s (for Maharashtrian Prakrit) and Yadav (for Marathi) gave patronage to the
language. She puts out the theory that some Indo-Aryan language speakers from upper castes
must have acquired bilingualism in Kannada. In addition, the Dravidian impact that resulted
in parallel constructions in Old Marathi may have been the result of the 'backflow' of
interlanguage elements into the native linguistics of Marathi-Kannada bilingual speakers.

Added to this, the evolution of Marathi can be divided into three, categories, the old Marathi
period - the earliest works found in the 13th century, medieval Marathi- influence of other
languages like Persian, Arabic, Kannada and Telugu, and the modern Marathi- which
solidified itself in the 19th century and has since been in usage. The Devanagari script
(modern) and a closely related script - Modi- were used for handwriting (until mid-20th CE).

The publication of newspapers, literature, articles, magazines and the like also has led to the
language receiving a wider audience for its usage. The geographical range of the language is
from the northern part of Mumbai and stretches to the western coast of Goa. It was made the
official language of Maharashtra in 1966.

LINGUISTIC PATTERNS IN THE MARATHI LANGUAGE:

Delving into the linguistic aspect of Marathi (as a language) we see that it follows the
Balbodh script (A form of Devanagari script) in its writing. The number of syllables in
Marathi is 52, 50 (14 vowels and 36 consonants) of which are of different sounds and the rest
are sound modifiers.
Marathi nouns are inclusive of the following:
Three Genders (Masculine {Eg. bhau}, Feminine {Eg. behin} and Neutral {Eg. nav})
Numbers (Singular and Plural)
Eight Cases (Nominal, Accusative, Instrumental, Dative, Ablative, Genitive, Locative and
Vocative) and determiners.
The variable adjectives used are dependent upon the accompanying noun, for example, majha
bhau, majhi behin, etc. The Form of the word used also differs in terms of the level of
formality required in a particular situation.

Marathi language is based on Sandhi and Samas, and is an amalgamation of some inherent
characteristics that makes it so unique:
● The Marathi Language does not have capital letters.
● In the Marathi language, sometimes people use the same word multiple times, or
multiple words with similar meanings during communication.
● Because of the use of different scripts, people write the same words differently
Marathi language follows the word order of SOV (Subject + Object + Verb)
● In the Marathi language the meaning of a sentence changes due to the use of
punctuation marks such as period (.) and comma (,).

CULTURAL AND LITERARY CONTEXT OF MARATHI:

Marathi literature has played a pivotal role in setting grammatical standards and
flourished notably during the 13th century, particularly during the Bhakti and Sant
movements, producing spiritual and philosophical literature. Some renowned examples of
Marathi literature include works like "Shyamchi Aai," "Amrutvel," "Tukaram Gatha,"
"Moruchi Mavshi," "Yayati," and "Zunj." Saint poets like Dnyaneshwar, who penned his
devotional verses in the form of the "Dnyaneshwari", and Namdev have shaped the spiritual
fabric of Maharashtra, with their verses being recited in temples and cultural gatherings. The
17th-century saint-poet Tukaram, known for his Abhanga devotional poetry, is another
luminary in Marathi literature. During the 19th century, it played a vital role in the cultural
renaissance, with social reformers like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Savitribai Phule inspiring
social justice movements. Marathi literature also enriches the language, expanding its
boundaries through various forms and styles. It reflects the cultural ethos, and literary
festivals known as "Sahitya Sammelans" celebrate and promote Marathi literature. Its
influence extends beyond Maharashtra, contributing significantly to Indian literature and
earning recognition at the national level. The Marathas, known for their military prowess and
support for the arts, wielded a substantial influence on the development of Marathi literature,
music, and theatre.

The Marathi theatre as we know it today was inspired by the ‘Yakshagaana’ of
Karnataka. The plays that were performed were mythological tales and also included social
issues highlighting problems faced by women. The hugely popular Sangeet Natak was
heavily influenced by the Western and Parsi musicals and performed mostly for the
entertainment of the Maharashtrian upper class. The Marathi Theatre also had a period of
Golden Age (1880s to 1930s) and the Dark Period (from 1930s to 1955) and this was based
on the quality of performance and literary standards. During the dark period, the Theatre lost
its primary audience- the Marathi upper and middle class. Historically speaking, The
Peshwas' rule ended in 1818 and somewhere during 1843, the Brahmins from Maharashtra
who lost their power, revived the same through the mythological theatre says Makarand Sathe
in his book Marathi Theatre: A Staging of History. Playwright Satish Alekar says that,
though the oldest Marathi play is Sita Swayamvar, which is based on Ramayana, Sathe
mentions that Truteeya Ratna by Jyothiba Phule is one of the first Marathi plays. But since it
was heavily dominated by the upper and middle-class people of Maharashtra, the audience
and the spread of the same was limited, Therefore, much cannot be said about the
Marathi Theatre.

The "Tamasha" folk theatre of Maharashtra showcases the state's cultural richness
through its vibrant music and dance forms. For the longest time, this form of art was looked
down upon and the artists weren’t revered with any kind of respect.
The cultural landscape of Maharashtra boasts remarkable diversity, owing to the
influences of various ruling dynasties. The Satvahanas were enthusiastic patrons of
Buddhism, leaving traces of Buddhist origins in Maharashtra, especially in the Ajanta and
Ellora caves. They are also credited with the creation of the renowned "Paithani" silk, which
holds a significant place in the state's cultural heritage. The Chalukya’s impact is discernible
in the rock-cut temples of Ajanta and the Mahakuta temples in the Western Ghats, and they
contributed to the shaping of the Marathi language. The Bahmani Sultanate, a Muslim
dynasty that ruled parts of Maharashtra, made its mark through the development of Islamic
art in the region. The British Empire introduced significant changes, including architectural
styles like Gothic and Victorian, which are visible in older structures. They also played a
pivotal role in fostering modern industries such as cotton and textile mills, driven by the
industrial revolution.

One of the most remarkable facets of Marathi literature is its contribution to the world
of drama. Marathi theatre has a rich heritage, with luminaries like Vijay Tendulkar and P. L.
Deshpande leaving an indelible mark.

CONTEMPORARY USAGES AND DIALECTS:

Marathi, a preeminent lingo in India, holds a historically significant background
illustrated by multifarious local jargon and a modern flexibility that mirrors its cultural
manifoldness. Amidst Marathi dialects manifest as divergent pronunciation variations,
grammar and vocabulary, progressing under the leverage of historical, geographical and
social factors.
In the new millennium, standard Marathi, grounded in the Pune dialect, functions as
the prescribed and refined version of the language, serving roles in formal discourse,
education and media. On the contrary, the dialectical topography of Marathi continues to exhibit remarkable diversity, with plentiful provincial dialects thriving in conjunction with
the customary variant.

One remarkable dialect to highlight is the Konkan-infused Marathi widespread along
the Western seaboard, renowned for its distinctive vocabulary and phonological
characteristics. In eastern Maharashtra, Vidarbha is known for its distinct dialect, exhibiting
variations in both vocabulary and pronunciation. Likewise, specific linguistic peculiarities are
showcased in the Marathwada region.

Amidst the urban sprawl of Pune and Mumbai, cultural interactions have caused
Marathi to blend with various elements from other languages, creating an informal dialect
referred to as Mumbaiya Marathi or Mumbai Marathi. This version blends Marathi Hindi and
English vocabulary, underscoring these metropolises' cosmopolitan ethos.
Additionally, Marathi has kept pace with the digital era, finding its footing in social
networking and online interactions. Using the Roman script has gained favour to type
Marathi in social media updates, and text messages, especially among the younger
demographic.

enclosed within a parlance manifest distinction altered by a multitude of
elements. The intricate interplay of political and societal norms frequently results in a
fragmentation of these communities, with this partition often encompassing variances in their
very structures.

Dialects are linguistically distinct variations of any language, and their development
can be influenced by various factors such as; Geographical isolation, which leads to the
emergence of unique regional dialects, for example within Marathi, Vidarbh dialect is spoken
by the North of Maharashtra, Konkan cost has the Maharashtri Konkani etc which are
characterised by distinct vocabulary and pronunciation. Social dialects, also known as
sociolects, they are significantly shaped by socioeconomic status, with individuals from
diverse social backgrounds (such as the case and class) adopting language variations aligned
with their societal position. Ethnic and cultural communities create unique dialects to assert
their cultural identity, including historical events and government directives can influence
dialects. Within these, morphological distinctions manifest in various forms, such as word
formation with unique affixes, inflexion variations, and differences in plurals and tense
markers.

These factors collectively contribute to the rich linguistic diversity found in dialects
around the world.

In summary, dialects encompass linguistic facets and reflect cultural and political
dimensions. They offer a window into the rich tapestry of human expression and the dynamic
interplay between language, society, and identity. The morphological differences among
them highlight the ever-evolving nature of dialects within the broader linguistic landscape.
Marathi's diverse dialects and current usage exemplify its capacity to adapt and adapt while
retaining its distinct regional and cultural identities.

CONCLUSION:

Marathi's preservation and promotion are paramount in an increasingly globalized
world. Efforts to safeguard the language, such as the Maharashtra government's initiatives to
promote Marathi in education and administration, are commendable steps in this direction.
Additionally, the digital age has opened up new avenues for the dissemination of Marathi
content through online media, podcasts, and e-books, making it accessible to a wider
audience.
Marathi is not just a language; it is a reflection of Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage
and a source of identity and pride for its people. Its literary and artistic contributions have left
an indelible mark on Indian culture. As we move forward in an interconnected world, it is
vital to celebrate and preserve languages like Marathi, which are a testament to the diversity
and resilience of human expression. In doing so, we honour the unique voices and stories that
enrich our global tapestry.

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