Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Maithili writers of Patna_ at the house of Mrs. Premlata Mishra ‘Prem’

Maithili writers of Patna_ at the house of Mrs. Premlata Mishra ‘Prem’



On 22nd May 2011, I had a brief meeting with Maithili writers assembled at the house of Mrs. Premlata Mishra ‘Prem.’ As I had not much time, I could not listen the assembled 11 maithils but had taken their phone no. and I wished to talk them one by one and write about them.



Mrs. Prem lata Mishra ‘Prem’ is married to Shri Maheshwar Mishra who is resident of vill. Sirsi of Seetamarhi district. She worked as a teacher in a +2 school before her retirement and her husband was working with Road Transport corporation.

She was a radio artist and has written many poems etc. and the monthly ghoshthi was her brain child that writers of any specialty should have interaction. Though I had suggested them to add Maithili in the name of Goshthi ,she told me today that she invites even other language groups’ writers ( Hindi) to that ghosthi. I feel that we Maithils have somehow less self pride and that makes us compromisable on many issues. Our grand organization of Maithils ‘Chetna Samiti,’ did not feel inclusion of Mithila, Maithili or Maithil word in its name though it is intended for them.

Mahamahopadhyay Umesh Mishra had written that if any Hindi compendium asked for a Maithili contribution we should not give unless that is for other Indian language too. On that vein I asked Mrs. Prem whether any bangle writer attends her meeting to which no direct answer came.

I too feel Bhojpuri and Maghi, the dialects of Hindi or Hindi itself (though Magahi is more nearer to Maithili and can be regarded its dialect) which are our neighbours should not be made free to join us at every occasion unless there are some other languages too and that can be Sanskrit and Bangla in the context of Bihar(though many may argue for Urdu but to my opinion Urdu is not a language in itself at least in Bihar where it is ‘Jolhi Maithili’ (as per George Grierson) and may be ‘Jolhi Magahi’ and or ‘Jolhi Bhojpuri.’

We in fact should try to assimilate first the dialects of Maithili like Vajjika as the western Maithili (as said by Grierson) and Angika as the Southern Maithili(though grierson coined ‘cheka-chiki’ but to me that was not a proper word and we should call it Southern Maithili. We should not only call them as a part and parcel of Maithili, let us recommend the books written in those dialects for different Maithili awards- from sahitya academy to Prabodh samman to Jnanpeeth those and other dialects of Maithili should be treated as of standard Maithili texts. There should be some thesises on those dialects and soon we will find that the rivalry which is illogical ends up.


In the same meeting I had touched this point and had questioned as to exact definition of Maithili, Mithila and Maithils though time did not permit me to dilate my views or to listen others- it may be a full day debate.



Many Maithils feel Mithila talk is a political talk but I feel it is a national talk and we can not remain oblivion to the correct position of it, if we are to see the language is respected in home and out and to me nit having a Mithila state is the biggest reason that Maithils talk Hindi in home though not willing to give Hindi an official status in place of English.



I had also hinted in that meeting that ‘kaulik’(based and groomed in family/ families) is good for the preservation of Maithili language during onslaughts, its gate be need to open for all and Maithili organizations need representatives of the society which they are not.

I would have no problem if such organizations declare themselves as ‘maithil Brahman organizations and Maithil kayasth organisations’ and that will usher in maithil yadav/ kurmi/ Dusadh organization etc, and compiling all Mithila and Maithili can go ahead but telling Maithil for all and meaning for Brahmans only(like Diabetes we say in medicine and understand that for Diabetes mellitus though there is ‘ diabetes insipidus’ to). However diabetes simile may be improper here as Maithil Brahams though important segment of Maithil society and culture are in a minority and despite the fact that 2001 census had exploded the myth ( 121 million + speakers of Maihtili) there are not even half of this number who might be of any caste, more so Brhamans,



I asked Premlataji whether the meeting is held rotationwise to which she replied in negative. It may seem good that people are attached to a fixed place but that cannot generate wide number of following and probably it is again a reflection of ‘kaulik’ development of Maithili.

When I enquired more she replied that her ‘naihar’ was Rahika, my block in fact. Well she had a great confidence as she was the first girl student to do matriculation from Rahika school. Rahika has a tradition of Maithili work and in this context I named late shobha Mishra who was very close to Mrs. Premlata too. Shobhaji was not only mother of a great Maithili worker, Girish Chadra Mishra of Ranchi who retired as ED, Of Durgapur Steel Plant but also she herself was a great Maithili writer who had even participated in ‘travelling’ International Maithili Conference of the Antarrashtriya Maithili Parishad at marai, Sirha, lahan and Jankpurdham during April 13-17, 1997.

Rahika is also famous for Chunchun Mishra whom recently we have lost.

I said her that I was under the impression that being run by her many ladies would be there but found none. She told that though Mrs. Sushila Jha( widow of Markandey Pravasi) and also Jyotsan Chadram used to come who I did not know as daughter of Markandey pravasi ) and also Indira Jha (the writer though there is another Indira Jha too at Patna) not Dr. Indira Jha, daughter of Pt. Jaymant Mishra whom only I was knowing. True, Indira is a name of Bhagwati but is there any simile with famous Indira Gandhi?



And when I said her that your brother advocate Umanath Mishra was declared as president, AMP, patna she said that he was younger brother of Buddhinath Mishra? I have just introduction with Buddhinathji of Dehradun and I could not comprehend from Umanthji’s village address of Devdha though it was told to me by Buddhinathji. At least I am sure now the’ kaulik’ tradition of Maithils at Patna will roll the AMP there which finally want to unroll this on the plane of lineage, district, region and caste in Mithila. To me a good work at Rahika/or Madhubani is important but I give greater emphasis on work of Madhubani of Purnea.

Today I could talk with Vijaynath Jha also and asked that his village was not mentioned to which he said that he had purposely avoided because he was from talpurwa of Siddharthnagar district of UP, some 8 generations before his forefather had migrated from village Seema near Madhubani(not Sarbbseema). I know a couple of persons from both Seemas and from this Seema, Dr. D. N. Jha, prof. political science was well known personality. However all his relations are from Mithila and so he could speak Maithili so correctly.

On this point, I find that many non-Brahmanor Krn kayastha castes boys and girls are married outside of Mithila and that is one cause for amalgamation of Hindi in houses. Those castes like Paswans do not marry outside Mithila continue pure Maithili.



However, delving deep, I fond Vijaynath Jha is also embedded with maithil’ kaulik’ traditions; his father –in law was Heeranand Jha’ Shastri,’ famous editor of the Aaryavart

Vijaynath Jha has many books in Maihtili.



I feel this ‘Kaulik’ tradition be continued but ‘genre’ of our Maithili worker need widened and engross whole Mithila.

On this point I had asked in the meeting that as to why Mithila could not produce an Ashapurna devi or Mahashewta..



I requested Mrs. Premlata to join AMP conferences where we are doing at least half day session for Maithilanis. It was quite successful in Mubai conference and I hope at Patna too whenever it is held it will be,





In the meeting were also present Kailash Jha, Dakhara(Benipur0, Binod Kr Jha,Mahathwar(Ghanshyampur), Premkant Jha(pindaruch, Darbhanga), Dinesh Mishra, Dhamiapatti, Jaynagar, Manikant Mishra, Sukhasan, madhepura, and gamesh Jha(who wished to be an AMP worker though came late with Baccha Thakur, ex-IAS who is a great admirer of me. Baccha Thakur will be our patron, AMP, Patna that only I could say before I left the venue quicly for Kumbh meeting.

I had been to Pindaruch and Dhamiyapatti and after talk with them, maybe a second part of this blog may be written.

Unusual advantage of walking on a road

Unusual advantage of walking on a road
Advantages of walking are enormous from the health and environment point of view but that I do not intend tell you. I left car driving nearly three years ago and I get chances to walk more and more.
As usual this noon, I was coming to library in the scorching sun and I saw a scooty stopped. A young boy with a girl with sindur! It was not difficult for me to guess that the boy who had used to come off and on before 2006 (when I was transferred to Bangalore) with some message from late Abash K. Chatterjee (the IAS topper- turned a strong Hindu nationalist social worker) or for some other social organisations was married now with the sweet girl with him!
I asked them to come in the shadow of a tree on the road side. Both touched my feet. I asked the boy,’ the girl is your wife? And when you were married?”. He said that only three months back I had a note of Rs.100 in my pocket that I gave to bride with affection. The pair was enchanting and in fact the boy whom I understood so far a die-hard person like me looked to me a very soft today.

Truly speaking I did not recall his name without embarrassing to him I gave a paper to write his present address of Rohini, Delhi where he had joined GOI service in Class II cadre. I vividly recalled that he was from Bhagalpur( he said that was from nearby Banka district’s village and his wife Khusbu Singh was from Seetamarhi’s Sasula village. I told her that there marriage sabha of maithil Brahmians used to congregate like that of Saurath. Her father worked in the Jharkhand assembly and hence Kamlesh had come and they were going to some friend’s house for lunch.
I told the bride that I had just been to Sitamarhi for Sita cuircuit and I see you as ‘Sita.’
I invited them to come to my residence next time.
I had been to his old room in the Majistarate colony searching him when I was transferred back to Ranchi but he had left the room and nobody gave me his address. I asked Kamlesh to go to Mrs Abash chatterjee who must be very happy to see the bride, Khusbu.
I told Kamlesh that my sister Bindu’s husband was at Rohini, Delhi and one young land broker ( hailing from Lakhisarai who was impressed to listen my lecture on Mithila state at Patan Pustak mela) had only day before yesterday told me that he was searching a small house at Rohini itself! In 1989, I was offered a work in the A. K. Nurisng Home at Rohini but knowing that it was of a Muslim, I did not join fearing my obstinate Hindu way of living may not be adjusted there.

Kamlesh gave me his number and email. I wish them happy life. I also think living near an IAS he had picked up at least some work of his line.
Is not this meet was a bonus of walking? If you go anywhere in car someone if sees you after so many years may only invite an accident!

My Patna visit for Simariaghat Kumbh (11.10.2011- 10.11.2011)

My Patna visit for Simariaghat Kumbh (11.10.2011- 10.11.2011)

When Nagendraji called me on 20th May afternoon to come Patna on 22nd I was in a fix as I had only on 21st postponed my visit to Patna on 22nd May to July 10 as I was feeling exhausted with long travel to Seetamarhi, Darbhanga and Mathura-Vrindavan in a go.

It was difficult to say ‘no’ to Nagendraji when I had no fixed programme on that day and I again talked with advocate Umanathji for a Maithili meeting and then confirmed Nagendraji that I would speak on,’Rastrahit me Kumbh avam usme Biharki Bhumika.’
I had not much matter on Kumbh and was skeptical as to what I would say and searched on web some pages on Kumbh, incidentally Swami Chidatmanji’s call for reviving 8 lost spots on Kumbh was the first when I searched.

Soon after I gave consent to Nagendraji, I realized that one of the cause of my postponing visit was Maoists’ call for 48 h bundh. I thought anyway I would travel and hoped to reach late by 4 pm( right time morning 6 for the train).
There was rush in the train and Shashi could find a broken luggage space in a general compartment.
The train was much delayed and at Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Gomoh Junction I could drop a bagful of the Aayurvigyan Pragati in letter box for different dental colleges and was relieved. The trains which come after our left before.
I covered whole night almost sleeping and talking with passengers, one of them was curious to know my profession but I did not divulge. He guessed me a teacher.
In the morning I found I was at Manpur just before Gaya and the train was running snail’s pace worse than any passenger train.
A book vendor came and I purchased 2 books on Mathematics for Rs.10 just to refresh my I Sc days where I was wrong that I could not grasp mechanics which was the cause that I missed 12 marks question to top in the Bihar PMT by 9.5 marks, yet I was best in my university of Ranchi.
A boy also asked for the books but the vender did not gave him as he had not change of Rs.100.latyer I insisted the boy to take the books as a gift from me and for two hours, till Patna came, I solved sums with him and found that trigonometry, mensuration, etc. were not so tough as I had felt in my student days. I also learnt alphabets of the Set Theory there and had some knowledge of statistics.
At Patna it was noon and in the scorching sun, I poured water on the platform itself; the train started and I got down at Rajendranagar and near the bridge in the Shiva temple did my daily sandhya tarpan. I had taken only some fruits in the way and again I took fruits while taking a ticket for night train which was not given on technical reason (print is not ok, go to main station). There was rush in the reservation window which I thought as booking window but in the side I could get same day’s wait listed reservation within minutes.
I was searching some point for charging my mobile and there was no free space nor electric line in some instance. I entered parcel office where it was ok and could revive my dead mobile and asked younger brother at Mumbai to tell his friend of railways for HO quota though was skeptical being Sunday.
Sri Narendra Jha of Novelty & Co. had earlier requested me to come to his nearby house but I phoned him that now meeting time is nearing and hence could not come but he came immediately with proofs of some 20 pages on late prof. Umacharna Jha, HOD.Philosophy, Ranchi University and I utilized waiting time for advocate Umanath Jha who had told me to wait there itself for an hour that he would come and accompany me to meeting venue of Maithilis in PIT colony not much away from the temple I had offered puja.
When I phoned Nagendraji that I will reach in time to deliver my lecture he informed me that Swamiji wanted me to present in the press conference from 4 pm and it was a quick task for me to complete proofs before Borelo sent by Nagendraji came. I requested Narendrababu to go his residence and took a glass of sattu. The Bolero person had no balance in his mobile and he was searching me for 15 minutes but could locate me and soon we were at Bahadurpur. When he told me that Kripashankarji from Delhi had come I thought for V the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram’s or Vidya Bhati’s but he was Kripanand of Maithili Parishad I could know only after reaching near Swamiji who was overwhelmed to see us.

Soon press conference started and I just added some points for special trains and co-operation of the Govt. of Bihar in the ensuing grand Kumbh at Simariaghat.

I took orders from Swamiji for the Maihtili meeting. Kripanand had evening train and hence he did not accompany me nor we could talk. The Bolero person had left the venue and I marched on foot till I could get an auto for Rajendranagar and then phoned Umanathji who was waiting at the Kendriya Vidyalaya gate. Was a bit hungry and took few bananas in the way.
Soon we were at the house of Mrs. Premlata Mishra where a regular meeting of Maithili writers was organized. I interrupted them and without any formality explained my view point son Mithila, Maithili and Maithils. I explained that previous leaders of Mithila movement left in the midway and Maithili is not spoken in many houses because we do not have pride in our mother tongue as well as we do not have Mithila state and while speaking Hindi we do not want it to give that respect and place which English had occupied. Maithili organizations are neither representing the whole society nor a particular caste.
I invited them for XXIII International Maithili Conference at Jaynagar and announced Advocate Umanath Jha as president of AMP, Patna and Baccha Thakur, ex-IAS and a grand supporter of me had joined mid way, as patron and requested them to have a whole day meeting on July 10.
A land broker had come to meet me and we marched again on foot and then auto and again on foot to reach Kumbha symposium at Bahadurpur. In the meantime Dr.C.P.Thakur, MP and state BJP president had left.
It was already 825 PM and I had little time but I was called to dais and was welcomed and given chance to speak.
I had choked voice yet I could say something which people appreciated.
Around 500 persons were sitting(half ladies) and I called that Such swamis are only Sant who drives people like us to work for society.
I said that the Kumbh at Simariaghat had simile with samudra manthan held nearby and would give an occasion to the people and Govt. of Bihar to show its bright side to the countrymen and also pilgrims coming from neighbouring Nepal.

I said that Hindu is not a religion we have many under this umbrella a like Shaiv, Vaishanav etc.
Bharat’s boundary is that which was before the advent of some religions who fight still among themselves.
Mithila’s life is based on Bhagawati’s dakshinmarg aaradhana and Magadh’s Vammarg but we all are one from Kashmir to keral.
Bharat is one, seen different to different.
‘Unity in diversity is a wrong slogan and is a divisive slogan.
Kumbhas were said to be started by Harshvardhan (before Buddhistic changes were contained by Adi Shankara (which was further consolidated by Mithila’s grand scholars like Mandan and Vachaspati and Udayan etc).
I was shaky for my train yet I spoke some 20 minutes and took leave from Swamiji.
This time Bolero saw me off at station where I found my name in the end of wait list. So it was difficult to go and I cancelled the ticket and took new general ticket and could get a seat (one among six for four) and reached Ranchi a bit late.

0n 22nd May, from afternoon to evening I remained so much busy in different meetings that I could not get time for lunch nor I could have dinner again some bhuja and tilkut..
So the life of a social worker is not as easy as others presume.