Maithili Journalism (1905-2011)

Maithili Journalism (1905-2011)
-Dr. Dhanakar Thakur, Editor, Maithili Sandesh
(input needed as corrections of years, and other details of magazines for a final book on Maithili Journalism which will contain editorial references also).
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.
Mathil 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 Jhanasi),
Maithili Sahitya Patra, quarterly (1936-39, Darbhanga) served Maithili lierature’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 Maithilee Darshan 1973-80, 2005, again continued since 2009 Calcutta), is serving Maithili well.
Vidyapati Smriti Patrika (1956-88, Kolkata), a souvenir of Mithila Sanskritik Parishad.
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 sread 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 bulletine.
Aarambh (1982-89,1990-97,) concentrated on literary work.
Bhangima half-yearly (1983-continued,Patna)- on acts and play in Maithili.
Mati- pani (1983-1988, Patna), Arpan yearly souvenir of Vidapati Seva sansthan (1984-continued, Darbhanga), Bhakha (1987-1992, Patna), Pravask Bhent (1989-1995, Kolkata)- a monthly which I tried to convert in Antarrashtriya 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 Antarrashtriya 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 fro 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 voice but in a sonorous Maithili.
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 tries to be near supporting Mithila cause like Purvottar Maithil.
Bharti (1988-2006, Ranchi, first cyclostyled quarterly, then printed, a souvenir.
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 ( 1981, Kolkata),
Bhangima, half-yearly (1983, Patna),
Maithili Sandesh, quarterly (Ranchi,1994)-
Antika (1999, Gaziabad)
Samay Saal bimonthly (2000, Patna),
Purvottar Maithil(2001,Guwahati)
Ghar Bahar(2003,Patna),
Mithila Darpan (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-
Maithil Hit Sadhana, monthly, (1905-1909, Jaipur,), Mithila Mod, monthly, (1905-21, Varanasi, by MM Murlidhar Jha and in 1936-41 by Upendranath Jha), 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), Mathil Prabaha, monthly (1920-1926, Ajmer,Agra) , 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), Maithil Bandhu(from1935 irregularly till1978, Ajmer), Maithili Sahitya Patra, quarterly (1936-39, Darbhanga), Bharti (1937, Darbhanga), Bibhuti (1937, Muzaffarpur), Sahitya Patra (Darbhanga), Maithil Yuvak (1938-41, Ajmer), Jeevan Prabha (1940-50, Agra and Jhanasi), Satya Sandesh(1943, Lohna, Darbhanga by Kanchinath Jha’Kiran’) Swadesha (1948, Darbhanga by Surendra Jha 'Suman' as monthly and again in 1965 as the first Maithili daily newspaper), Maithila 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), Mithila (1952-53 by Dr. Laxman Jha as first fully Maithili weeklyl 1957, 1968 as monthly), Mithila Darshan (1953-73 then renamed Maithilee Darshan 1973-80, 2005, again continued since 2009 Calcutta), , Mithila Sevak weekly (1954-57, Calcutta), Nirman weekly(1954-56, Darbhanga), Mithila Doot(1955,Kanpur), Chaupadi (1955-57, Patna), Vidyapati Smriti Patrika (1956-88, Kolkata), 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), Sampark Sootra, fortnightly (1966, handwritten ,Assam), Samanvay (Dumka, 1964), Anama (1965, 1978-80, Patna), Akhar (1967, Calcutta), Mithila Amar (1967, Aligarh), Mithilavani weekly (1968, Darbhanga), Maithili Kavita quarterly(1968, Calcutta), Mithila Manch quarterly (1968, Varanasi), Maithili Prakash (half yearly in 1968, later tri-yearly, Calcutta), Sonamati (1969-72,Patna), Mithila Bharti quarterly later bimonthly (1969-71, Darbhanga), Mithila Bhumi quarterly (1969-70, Jamshedpur, 1973, Darbhanga), Mithili Alok (1969, Ferozabad), Lokmanch half yearly(1969, Calcutta), Swadeshvani (1969, Deoghar), Bagmati( 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, Calcutta), Sameeksha (Darbhanga, 1973), Maithili Rangmanch ( 1973, Calcutta), Charcha weekly (1974, Darbhanga), Shikha (1974, Calcutta then Darbhanga), Mithila Samuday( Delhi, 1975), Tatka (1976,Jamshedpur), Tatka (Darbhnaga 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 Akadmi Patrika( 1980-1992, 2009, Patna), Sankalp( 1980, Supaul), Karnamrit( 1981-continued, Kolkata), Mithilanchal Sampark (1981-2006, Darbhanga), Desh kosh (1981-1983, Calcutta Patna 1991-94), Videh( Mumbai, 1981), Tirhut Mail weekly (1981, Delhi), Aarambh( 1982-89,1990-97,), Bhangima half-yearly, Patna (1983-continued,Patna), Rachna(1984, 1989, 2002(Darbhanga), Mati- pani (1983-1988, Patna), Arpan yearly(1984-continued, Darbhanga), 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(Laheraisarai), Bhur (Darbhanga), Bhakha (1987-1992, Patna), Kushalkshem(1988, Singhwada, Darbahanga), Drishti (1987, Patna), Pushpanjali (1988, Deohar), Pravask Bhent (1899-1995, Kolkata), Bharti (1988-2006, Ranchi, first cyclostyled quqrterly, then printed annually), Dachhin Mithila (2008-09, Begusarai), Koshi-Kamla(1991-95, Patna), Aankhi-Pankhi (1991, 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), and then as a daily since 2009, Navturia annual (1993-96, Kanpur), Pravasi( Hyderabad 1994), 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 auually (1997-2000, Patna), Janki (1997-2005 , Dhanbad), Bagmati- Damodar Times (1997-2003, Hazaribag, Delhi), Mithila Prakash (1998-99, Delhi), Antika(1999 - continuing Ghaziabad NCR), Kachot ( Jamshedpur, 1999), Kokil Manch (1999, Kolkata), 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), Aripan (2001, Patna), Deshaj (2001, Mahishi, Saharsa), Bhumija/ Mithimalini (2001-07, Bhagalpur), Bhorukwa (2001, Kolkata),), Desil Bayana( 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), 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), Videha, e-journal, (2007- Berma, Nirmali), fortnightly 83rd issue released in June 2011, Mithilangan quarterly (2008, Delhi), Navturia (2008, Varanasi),Jharkhandk Sanes (Jamshedpur 2009-continued), Samvet (2009, Patna), Sandhya Gosthi (2009-continned, Patna), Samidha (2009, Delhi), Mithila Srijan bimonthly (2010-continued, Madhubani), Navarambha (2010, Patna), Purvottar Maithil Samaj (2010, Guwahati) , Pakshadhar fortnightly (2010,Ranchi), Jan chetana( 2011, Dalsingsarai)
Year of publication could not get- Videha-Sadeha (Delhi), Maithili Bullettine (Calcutta), Bhoor ( Darbahnga),
Handwritten – Hitaishi(Darbhanga), Ayachi (Lalganj), Govind(Lohna), Akshat(Pahi), Kiran(Kathwar), Lochan(Raiyam), Mithila Manas(Ghoghardiha), Mitravani(Thadhi), Prabhat(Koilakh), Mandar(Nawani), Janki(Ujan), Kaushiki(Purnea), Saurabh(Supaul),
Vidyapati Parishad Souvenir (2005, Samastipur), Sanjiwani (Darbhanga), Matribani (Tharhi), Bharti Mandan(Maladh,Supaul), Apan Desha (Darbhanga), Mithila Bhumi (Latheriasari), Mithila Darpan (Mumbai), Mithilaytan(Raipur), Rricha (Darbhanga), Sah-Rasa( Saharsa), from Varanasi- Maithili Sudhakar, Mithiloday, Bharti, Vaidehi, Sampark Sutra(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 )
Currently available(2011) Maithili magazines(need subscription of all to run them smoothly)-
Karnamrit ( 1981, Kolkata),
Bhangima half-yearly (1983, Patna),
Maithili Sandesh, quarterly (Ranchi,1994),
Vidyapati Times(1995, Darbhanga),
Antika (1999, Gaziabad),
Samay Saal bimonthly (2000, Patna),
Purvottar Maithil(2001,Guwahati),
Ghar Bahar(2003,Patna),
Mithila Darpan (2005, Mumbai),
Janbhakha quarterly (2008, Ranchi),
Maithili Darshan (2009, Kolkata)
Jharkhandk Sanes (2009, Jamshedepur)
Maithila Srijan bimonthly(2010,Madhubani)
Pakshadhar, fortnightly(2010, Ranchi),
Purvottar Maithil Samaj (2010,Guwahati)
And MITHILA SAMAD, only Maithili DAILY (2008 Kolkata)- I congratulate its 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