Personalities of Mithila

It may say that the place is known for its people.The charm of the people made a place identifiable and recognisable. The place give the person identity and the person give the place popularity. When the person become a personality , it reflects the essence of the place. Here are some lists of personalities from Mithila with their glory and charm.

1. Vidyapati

Popular by the title ‘ Maithil Kavi Kokil’ Vidyapati is the great poet of Mithila of 14th centuary.He was the Maithili language poet whose work is as great as him. Vidyapati’s influence was not just restricted to Maithili , he was the great poet of sanskrit too. His influence is extended to other Eastern literary traditions also. Born to Shaivite Brahmin family in the village of Bisfi in the Madhubani district . He is known as the ‘ Man of Knowledge‘ as his name derived from two sanskrit words, Vidya means knowledge and Pati means master i.e, master of knowledge. He is mainly known for his love songs and prayers for Lord Shiva. He also wrote on other topics including ethics , history , geography and law. He has also did great works in Odia literature and Bengali literature. His works include – Purusa Pariksha( moral teachings) , Likhanabli, BHU parikrama, Danavakyavali, Varsakrtya.

2.Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar is considered as one of the most important modern Hindi Poets. Other than writing poetries , he was also an essayist and a patriot. He wrote various Nationalist poetries at the time of Independence . Born in Simaraya , he had a vision of patriotism and nationalism . His works include Rashmirathi, Hunkar, Renuka, Mitti Tilak, Urvashi. For his great literary works he was awarded by Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award and janpith Award.

3. Nagarjun

Among the great poets of Mithila Vaidyanath Mishra who is famous by his pen name Nagarjun is a treasure of Mithila.He is a great poet of Hindi and Maithili language. He is known as Jankavi – The People’s poet . Born in Tarauni village in Darbhanga district but recognised by the native of Satlakha village of Madhubani . Nagarjun is regarded as the most prominent protagonist of modernity in Mithila. He is well known for writing Novels, Short stories , literary biographics and trvelogues. His literary work Yatri is something which is considered as one of the best collection of writeups. It includes poetries. Some of them are : Bharat Mata, Antim Pranaam, Vandana, Vilaap. For his work he has been awarded by Sahitya Akademi Award and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

4.Acharya Ramlochan saran

Acharya Ram Lochan Saran a Hindi litterateur , grammarian and publisher is one of the great personalities of Mithila. His works in magazines Balak Marg, Honhar, Himalaya and many more is the examples of great works. Laherisarai in Darbhanga became a hub of Publishing because of Ram Lochan ji. Born in Sitamarhi his hindi primer Manohar Balpothi attempted to teach the Devnagri alphabet to beginners. The Raja and the princess of Darbhanga Raj publicly honoured his contribution in the city and the development of intelligents creative artists , writers , poets and spirituals .

Gajendra Thankur, Dhirendra Premarshi, Radha Krishna Chaudhary, Surendra Jha, Usha Kiran Khan, Binod Bihari Verma, Chandranath Mishra Amar , Jyotirishwar Thakur , Kashikant Mishra Madhup, Hetukar Jha, Ramdeo Jha, Gangesh Gunjan, Mayananda Misra, Hari Mohan Jha are some of the great writers and poets of Mithila.

5. Bhawna Kanth

Bhawna Kanth the proud daughter of Mithila is one of the three first women fighter stream pilots in Indian history. 24 year old Bhawna Kanth is from Darbhanga district who is writing the history in the Indian airforce .

6. Gonu Jha

Gonu Jha is the prominant personality, ready – witted character of Mithila. He was the contemporary of king Hari Singh of Mithila in the 13th centuary C. E. He was from Darbhanga district . There are several humorous Maithili language folktales about him . His works include Gonu Jha ki anokhi duniya, Gonu Jha ki rochak kathayein, Gonu Jha ke manoranjak Kisse.

7. shilpa Singh

Shilpa Singh is the beauty pageant titleholder and Runner – up at I am she – Miss Universe India 2012. Born in Samastipur district , she has reprented India at the Miss Universe 2012 pageant at Las Vegas and become one of the semi finalist after topping the interview preliminary competition.

8. Sharda Sinha

Sharda Sinha is a household name in Mithila. She is a Maithili language folk singer, known for her Maithili version of the Chhath Puja themed song’ Ho Dinanath’. Other than Maithili she is sprinkling her magical voice in Bhojpuri and Maghi language too. sharda Sinha is awarded by Padma Shri for her contribution to the Music industry . In Bollywood her songs Kahe Toh se Sajna from the film Maine pyaar kiya(1989) , Taar Bijli from Gangs of Wasseypur part 2, Babul from Hum aapke hain kaun are some of the popular songs .

9. Maithili Thakur

Maithili Thakur is a Runner up of a reality show Rising Star 2017 . Belong from Benipatti , Madhubani she is recently the sensational voice of India. She has a very appleaing voice and sings in many languages other than hindi too. She is a trained Indian classical singer and a outstanding singer of Maithili and Bhojpuri languages. She has represented Mithila in various platforms. She has selected as the brand ambassador of Madhubani by the Election commission.

There are a beautiful number of Sahitya Akademi Awardees in Mithila in writings and poetries. Amit Patha won the award for Raaj- Upraag a poetry collection. Rishi Bashistha has given the award for his qork ‘Ee phoolak Guldasta’ – a story book. Prof. Bina Thakur , Yasodhar Jha, Ramanand Renu, Bhimnath Jha , Hari Mohan Jha are some more names in the Awardees list . Other than these great personalities in Sahitya Akademi Awardees list , there are more names whose work is shinning in the literary field.

10. Udit Narayan

Udit Narayan is one of the most outstanding varsetile singer of Bollywood music industry. He has given hundreds of songs to the music industry and has become the household name. This playback singer belong to Saharsa has given his voice to Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam, Kannad, Odia , Nepali , Bhojpuri, Bengali and Maithil film industry. In his start of his career in Hindi Cinema he got the chance to debu with legends like Mohammad Rafi Sahaab and Kishore Kumar . This sensational singer has won many awards including four National Film Awards and Five Filmfare awards. He is also awarded by the Padma shree and Padma Bhushan.

Many local singers and musicians are also making there great presence in the Maithili music industry. Many shows and albums are being presented by them . They are winning the hearts of the people by sprinkling the entertainment in their lives. They have a lot to say by their songs and this magic can be seen at the time of festivals when local songs are been the demand of the time .Some of them are Poonam Misra, Kunj Bihari, Ranjana Jha, Kumkum Jha and many more.

11. vikas Kumar Jha

Vikas Kumar Jha is a journalist and an author who belong to Sitamadhi district. He is best known for his fiction and non-fiction works like ‘ Mc Cluskie ganj: The story of the only Anglo – Indian village in India that received the Katha Uk Honour at the House of Commons , London. Worked in News Express where he has anchored some talk shows like Suno Patliputra , Kya bole Bihar. These talk shows gave him immense popularity. He has also worked in Maya Magazine , Ravivaar and Outlook Magazine. He has been the editor of Rashtriya Prasang. Being a journalist he has covered various political, social , and cultural issues inbhis span of 35 years in Hindi Journalism.

12. Karpuri Devi

Belonged to the first generation of Mithila Painting artists who brought this art form on the global map of the folk art and with her came Madhubani district , espicially its Ranti Village , on the world map. This eminent Mithila painting artist is the creator of Mithila Museum in Japan. She is the most travelled Mithila artist who had visited Japan 9 times . She is the acclaimed artist and the winner of several state awards and National merit certificate given by the ministry of textiles, Union government.

13. Godawari Dutta

93 year old Mithila artist , The Padma Shri winner Godavari Dutta has made Mithila proud. In 2019, A museum in Japan displayed her paintings . In 2006, president Pratibha Patil conferred the title of ‘Ship Guru’ on her. Belong to Darbhanga district she has tutored 50k students in India and abroad in Madhubani Art. There is a story very famous about her. It is said that P.M. Indira Gandhi used to keep Godavari Dutta’s paintings in her office.

Bharti Dayal, Baoa Devi, Ganga Devi are among the great painting artists of Mithila.

Mithila gave great actors and directors to the Bollywood. Manoj Bajpaye , Imtiaz Ali , Neha Sharma , Sriti Jha , Narendra Jha , Pankaj Jha and Imtiaz Ali are among them.

15. Imtiaz Ali

The great name among the list of the directors and writers of Bollywood is Imtiaz Ali. The present Cinema of India is incomplete without his films. The super- duper hit film Jab we met director belong to Darbhanga district. He is known for his best directorial work in the films like love aaj kal , Tamasha , love aaj kal 2 , Rockstar. His films are very much liked by the audiences. He is one of the growing director of Bollywood.

16. Manoj Bajpaye needs no introduction in Bollywood . From Belwa village in Champaran district continues to mesmerize the Indian audience with his serious acting. Films like Satya , Gangs of Wasseypur, Rajneeti , Sarkaar are his most loved films by the audience.

17. Sriti Jha the television daily soap actress from Begusarai acted in television serial kumkum Bhagya which has made her popular celebrity among the household of the country.

18. Neha Sharma is the Bollywood film actress from Bhagalpur who is known for her good acting works in the films. Kya super cool hain hum, Yungistaan , crook are her films which is quite famous . She has been figured out Times of India 50 most desirable women’s poll .

19. Narendra Jha The great actor of Hindi Cinema Mr. Jha is known for his work in Bollywood productions; Belong to Madhubani district he is famous for Doordarshan’s Shanti. Haider, Raees, My father Iqbal, Humari Adhoori Kahani, Kaabil has witnessed the acting of such a great actor. His screen presence was much more to bring smiles on the aufience’s faces. He is also famous for his works in tv serials like Begusarai, Raavan , Havan anf many more.

There are more prominent personalities from Mithila Harishimhadeva, Jyotrishwar Thakur, Pravesh Mallick, Govindada, Binod Bihari Verma, Gajendra Thakur, Dhirendra Premarshi, Ramesh Chandra Jha, Surendra Jha, Chandranath Mishra, Rameshwar Singh, Lakshmeshwar Singh, Kameshwar Singh, Nanya Deva, Mahasundari Devi, Hetukar Jha, Kirti Azad, Panishwar Nath ‘Renu’.