The Fading Linguistic Wealth of Bhojpuri

 While Bhojpuri’s popularity is on the rise thanks to social media platforms, its literary presence tells an entirely different story. 

As I’ve noted in previous posts, very little literature is being written in Bhojpuri, and it is not taken as seriously as languages like Marathi or Bengali. Bhojpuri still remains largely a language of oral tradition, with most of its rich literature passed down through generations by word of mouth.

The beauty of this oral tradition lies in its dynamism. Each time a story or song is handed down, it offers the narrator an opportunity to add a personal touch—a new flavor that resonates with contemporary audiences while carrying age-old wisdom. 

This makes the literature relevant while carrying the essence and wisdom of the ages. This evolving nature naturally leads to multiple retellings of the same story, each story a bit different from each other and carrying a different set of values. This results in a large number of stories all descending from a few. Consider the epic Ramayana: there are hundreds, if not thousands, of versions, each differing in detail, yet every variation considered valid. Although the Valmiki Ramayana is the primary text, the "Ramcharitamanas" holds a place of equivalent reverence in our cultural landscape.

This reflects the inclusive nature of our civilization—a spirit that embraces new ideas without fearing that they might dilute the truth of traditional narratives. This is in stark contrast with the rigid nature of the west, which not only was unaccepting of new ideas but often people were punished to discourage such future uprisings. Our openness to reinterpretation and adaptation is, in many ways, the bedrock of our enduring cultural legacy; it is no coincidence that our land gave birth to major two major religions i.e. Buddhism and Jainism.

However, there are major risks associated with having an oral only tradition. Its survival depends entirely on the willingness of communities to carry the tradition. The women who have historically been the custodians of our folklore—to pass on these stories and songs from generation to generation. Today, as modern life demands a break from the burdens of age-old traditions, fewer people feel inclined to shoulder this vital responsibility.

The time has come to document these folk stories and songs. With each passing generation, as fewer individuals commit to learning and preserving these oral treasures, the risk of losing a vital component of our linguistic heritage grows. Transforming oral literature into written records is not merely an act of preservation—it is a commitment to ensuring that the wisdom, inclusiveness, and vibrant cultural legacy of Bhojpuri continue to inspire and inform the future.