New Delhi: A leading figure in Maithili literature, Mahendra Jha has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi award for his work Dhatri Pat San Gam, bringing renewed attention to the language’s literary tradition.
The announcement, made on Monday, has been widely welcomed across Mithila and beyond, with readers and scholars hailing the recognition as a significant moment for regional literature in India. Jha dedicated the award to the memory of his late wife, adding a personal dimension to the national honour.
Often described as a deeply reflective work, Dhatri Pat San Gam departs from conventional fiction. Jha has said the book draws directly from lived experiences, offering what many critics see as a textured portrayal of human emotion rooted in the social and cultural life of Mithila. Its evocation of rural landscapes, community ties and everyday realities has resonated strongly with readers.
While Jha had already established himself through earlier works such as Dikpal and Pathantar, the latest recognition places him firmly on the national literary stage.
Born on January 6,1947, Jha studied Maithili at Patna University, where he completed both his master’s degree and doctorate. He went on to teach for over three decades, serving as a professor at Saharsa College from 1971 to 2004. He later held senior academic roles, including heading the postgraduate centre at Bhupendra Narayan Mandal University and serving as dean of its humanities faculty.
Even after retiring in 2009, Jha has remained active as a writer, continuing to contribute to Maithili literature through essays, poetry and prose that engage with social concerns and cultural identity.
According to the Akademi’s official programme, Jha will receive the award at a ceremony on March 31, where he will be presented with an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and a cash prize of Rs1 lakh.
The recognition is expected to further strengthen the presence of Maithili literature at the national level, highlighting its enduring vitality and relevance.
