The Literary Heritage of Bhojpuri

While Bhojpuri is globally recognized for its vibrant music and film industry (Bhojpuri Cinema), its literary heritage is equally rich, though less known. For centuries, Bhojpuri has been a powerful medium for oral traditions, including folk songs ('lokgeet'), folk tales ('lokgatha'), and proverbs ('kahawat'). For more on the state's languages, see Languages of Bihar.,The most iconic figure in Bhojpuri literature is Bhikhari Thakur, whose plays like Bidesiya and 'Beti-Bechwa' used the language to address pressing social issues, earning him the title 'Shakespeare of Bhojpuri'. His work laid the foundation for modern Bhojpuri theatre and literature.,In the 20th century, many writers and poets began to contribute to a more formal written tradition. The language, which uses the Devanagari script, has seen a rise in publications, including magazines, novels, and poetry collections. This literary movement is crucial for preserving the nuances of the language and providing a platform for the cultural expression of the Bhojpuri-speaking people, who primarily inhabit the Saran Division and Patna Division.

Keywords: bhojpuri literature, bhikhari thakur, bhojpuri language, bidesia, oral tradition