Marathi can be traced back far beyond the 10th century. It descends from Sanskrit through Pali, Maharashtri and Maharashtra - Apabhramsa. The origin and growth of Marathi literature is indebted to two important events. The first was the rise of the Jadhav dynasty whose capital was Devgiri. The Jadhava`s adopted Marathi as the court language and patronized Marathi learned men. The second event was the coming of two religious sects known as Mahanubhav Panth and Warkari Panth, which adopted Marathi as the medium for preaching their doctrines of devotion. Writers of the Mahanubhav sect contributed to Marathi prose while the saint-poets of Warkari sect composed Marathi poetry. However, the latter group is regarded as the pioneers and founders of Marathi literature.

Marathi literature first made its appearance in the 10th century AD and can be grouped into two ages: Ancient or Old Marathi literature (1000-1800) and Modern Marathi Literature (1800 onwards). The former consisted mainly of poetry composed in metres and restricted to the poet`s choice of words and rhythms. It was particularly devotional, narrative and pessimistic for old Marathi poets had not been able to develop satire, parody, irony and humor into their poetry.

Old Marathi Literature covers about eight centuries. Its pioneers and founders were Mukundaraj (Vivekasindhu) and Dnyaneshwar (Dnyaneshwari) and his younger contemporary Namdeo (1270-1350) wrote devotional verses in a simple language for the people. Two centuries later came the great saint and greater poet Eknath and his Ekanathi Bhagavata is a literary masterpiece of Marathi literature. Eknath had a simple and attractive style of composing poetry and was the founder of secular poetry in Marathi. Mukteshwar (1574-1645) later developed this style and his version of the Mahabharata is the best example of a great narrative poem in Marathi.

In the history of Marathi literature, Tukaram (1608-1651) has been given a unique stature. A real genius, Tukaram`s poetry came forth from his wonderful inspirations. He was a radical reformer and has often been called Sant Tukaram. Terseness, clarity, vigor and earnestness were found in every line of his poetry. Tukaram`s associate Ramdas` (1608-1681) Dasabodha is an inspiring and impressive piece in Marathi. 18th century poetry is well represented by Vaman Pandit (Yathartha Dipika), Raghunath Pandit (Nala Damayanti Swayamvara) and Shridhar Pandit (Pandavpratap, Harivijay and Ramvijay).

However, the most versatile and voluminous writer among the poets was Moropant (1729-1794) and his Mahabharata was the first epic poem in Marathi. The historical section of the old Marathi literature was unique as it contained both prose and poetry. The prose section contained the Bakhars that were written after the foundation of the Maratha kingdom by Shivaji. The poetry section contained the Padavas and the Katavas composed by the Shahirs. The period from 1794 to 1818 is regarded as the closing period of the Old Marathi literature and the beginning of the Modern Marathi literature.

The modern period of Marathi Literature divides into four ages. The first period starts from 1800 to 1885, the second from 1885 to 1920, the third from 1921 to 1945, and finally the last period continues till now. In this period, almost all forms of literature in prose and poetry were developed and even scientific literature was produced. Under the British rule, attempts were made to enrich both the language and literature. The Raja of Tanjore got the first English Book translated to Marathi in 1817. Several more such attempts were made and translation work was encouraged a lot. Chhatre, Bal Shastri Jambhekar, Lokahitavadi and Jotiba Phule wrote on various topics in Marathi.

The first Marathi newspaper was started in 1835, and Baba Padamji`s Yamuna Paryatan was the first Marathi novel written on social reform in 1857. However, this period was a lean one for original poetry and only translations of Sanskrit poems were produced. Establishment of the University of Bombay in 1858 and the starting of the newspaper Kesari in 1880-81 gave a boost to the development of Modern Marathi Literature. Keshavasuta (1866-1905), the first Marathi revolutionary poet, launched Modern Marathi poetry with his first poem.

In this period two groups of poets, Ravikiran Mandal and Kavi Tambi, together encouraged some great poets like Ananta Kanekar (Chandarat), Kavi Anil (Phulwat) and N G Deshpande. Poetry after 1945 explores human life in all its shades. B S Mardhekar set the fashion of this trend for P S Rage, Vinda Karandikar, Vasant Bapat and Shanta Shelke.

Vishnudas Bhave was the pioneer of Marathi drama, which was born in 1843. Other great dramatists were B P Kirloskar (Saubhadra), G B Deval (Sharada), R G Gadkari (Ekach Pyala), Mama Varerkar (Apporva Bangal) and P L Deshpande (Amaldar). The first novel to be published was `Madhali Sthiti` by Hari Narayan Apte (1864-1919). Natha Madhav, CV Vaidya, Prof V M Joshi, V S Khandekar, Sane Guruji, Kusumvati Deshpande, Kamalabai Tilak are the prominent novelists of the Marathi language. The short story and essay forms came into existence in this period through Diwakar Krishna, H N Apte and V S Gurjar. S M Mate, Durga Bhagwat, N S Phadke are well-known essayists in Marathi, a rich language in all its forms and branches with a history of over a thousand years. It occupies a distinct position in the field of Indian Literature and will continue to do so even in the near future.

The first English Book was translated in Marathi in 1817. The first Marathi newspaper started in 1835. Baba Padamji wrote many books on social reforms, like the Yamuna Paryatana in 1857. Lokmanya Tilak`s newspaper Kesari, set up in 1880, provided a platform for sharing literary views. Marathi Drama efficiently aided Marathi at this time. Here, there also was a different genre called `Sangit Natya` or Musicals. The first play was V.A. Bhave`s Sita Swayamvar in 1841. Later Kirioskar (1843-85) and G.B. Deval (1854-19l6) brought a romantic aroma and social content. But Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar (1872-1948) with his banned play Kichaka-Vadh (1910) set the trend of political playwriting. Later on stalwarts like Ram Ganesh Gadkari and Prahlad keshav Atre ably served this "stage".

The Drama Flourished in 60s and 70s with few of the best Indian actors available to take on a variety of protagonists. Mohan Agashe, Sriram Lagoo, Kashinath Ghanekar, Prabhakar Panshikar playing many immortal characters penned by greats like Vasant Kanetkar, Kusumagraj, vijay Tendulkar to name a few. This Drama movement was ably supported by Marathi films, which did not enjoy a continuous success. Starting with V. Shantaram and before him the pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke, Marathi cinema went on to influence contemporary hindi cinema. Director Raja Paranjape, Music director Sudhir Phadke, lyricist G. Madgulkar and actor Raja Gosavi came together to give quiet a few hits in later period.

Marathi Language as spoken by people here was throughout influenced by drama and cinema along with contemporary literature. Modern Marathi poetry began with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule`s compositions. The later poets like Keshavsuta, Balakavi, Govindagraj, and the poets of Ravi Kiran Mandal like Madhav Julian wrote poetry, which was influenced by the Romantic and Victorian English poetry. It was largely sentimental and lyrical. P. K Atre, the renowned satirist and a politician wrote a parody of this sort of poetry in his collection Jhenduchi Phule.

Sane Guruji (1899-1950) contributed to the children`s literature in Marathi. His major works are Shyamchi Aai (Shyam`s Mother), Astik (Believer), Gode Shevat (The Sweet Ending) etc. He translated and simplified many Western Classics and published them in a book of stories titled Gode Goshti (Sweet Stories). Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (1889-1976)`s Yayati won him the Jnanpith Award for 1975. He also wrote many other novels, short stories, essays etc. His major works are Don Dhruv (Two Poles), Ulka (Meteorite), Krounchavadh, Jalalela Mohar and Amrutvel among many others.

The major paradigm shift in sensibility began in the forties with the avant-garde modernist poetry of B.S. Mardhekar. In the mid fifties, the `little magazine movement` gained momentum. It published writings, which were non-conformist, radical and experimental. Dalit literary movement also gained strength due to the little magazine movement. This radical movement was influenced by the philosophy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and challenged the literary establishment, which comprised of largely middle class, urban and upper caste people.

The little magazine movement threw up many excellent writers. Bhalchandra Nemade is a well-known novelist, critic and poet. The poetry of Arun Kolatkar, Dilip Chitre, Namdeo Dhasal, Vasant Abaji Dahake, Manohar Oak and many other modernist poets is complex, rich and provocative. Bhau Padhye, Vilas Sarang Shyam Manohar and Visharm Bedekar are well known fiction writers.

Datta Raghunath Kavthekar, was a renowned Marathi novelist of the 1930s through the late 70s era and he was popular for novels and collections of short stories depicting aspects of human relationships and emotions. Movies based on his stories include `Kunkavacha Karanda`. N.S. Phadake Narayan Sitaram Phadake. P.K. Atre Prahlad Keshav Atre. Krishnaji Keshav Damale known as Keshavsut. P.L. Deshpande is affectionately referred to as "Pu La". Purushottam Laxman Deshpande. From pure situational humour to modern classics, to Marathi film music direction, "Pu La" did everything. He has written, directed & gave music to a Marathi classic - Gulacha Ganpati. He has also contributed a great deal to Indian classical music, by way of his inspired solo performances on the harmonium.