Patna witnesses a troubling decline in institutions meant to preserve Bihar's linguistic wealth. The state, celebrated for its ancient civilization and culture, gave birth to numerous languages over centuries. These languages flourished thanks to rich heritage and support from historical rulers.
From Glory to Neglect
After Independence, the Bihar government established several academies to promote and enrich these languages. In their early years, these bodies performed exceptionally well. They published standard works by renowned writers. Many publications won prestigious Sahitya Academy awards, creating a national market for such books.
However, the last ten to fifteen years tell a different story. These once useful institutions gradually fell victim to official apathy. The situation deteriorated so much that several academies now stand on the verge of closure.
The Ailing Institutions
The struggling language academies in Bihar include the Bihar Hindi Granth Academy, Maithili Academy, Magahi Academy, Bangla Academy, Sanskrit Academy, Bhojpuri Academy, Angika Academy, and the South Indian Languages Academy. The well-known Bihar Rashtra Bhasha Parishad also faces challenges. Recently, the state government set up two new academies to promote classical Pali and Prakrit languages.
The Bihar Hindi Granth Academy started in 1970 to promote Hindi literature. It published over 450 books on various subjects. The academy organized lecture series, workshops, and other literary activities to popularize Hindi. Currently, all activities have stopped due to severe staff and resource shortages. Only eight staff members work against thirty-six sanctioned posts.
Maithili Academy began in 1976 to develop Maithili language and literature. It published 210 books so far. Nine of these won Sahitya Academy Awards. At least forty-one publications feature in postgraduate university curricula. Demand for these books surged after Maithili entered the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and became an optional UPSC subject. Despite this, the academy operates with just three staff members against twenty-one sanctioned posts. Even these staff members often get deputed elsewhere.
Bhojpuri Academy launched in 1978 with twenty-four sanctioned staff. Its mandate involved preserving and promoting Bhojpuri language and culture. The academy published forty-four books and organized several literary activities. Presently, only two staff members work there, severely paralyzing operations.
Magahi Academy established in 1981 to promote the Magahi dialect spoken in southern Bihar's Magadh region. It published twenty-two books in Magahi language. The academy now functions with one staff member against fifteen sanctioned posts.
Bangla Academy started in 1983 to focus on Bengali language and culture in certain Bihar areas. It published twenty-two books for Bengali-speaking residents. Currently, just one staff member works against sixteen sanctioned posts.
Sanskrit Academy founded in 1987 to preserve and research classical Sanskrit. It published twenty-two Sanskrit books and organized seminars and symposia. Only three staff members work against fourteen sanctioned posts.
Angika Academy began in 2015 for Angika language development. It has only one staff member and made hardly any significant contribution to language promotion.
The South Indian Languages Organisation started in the late 1980s to promote south Indian languages in Bihar. It met a premature end. The institute received no sanctioned posts or office space. Five honorary staff members later absorbed into other academies.
Cramped Conditions and Leadership Void
The appalling condition of these academies becomes clear from their physical constraints. All academies, except Hindi Granth Academy and Angika Academy, cram into just three rooms of the Bihar Rashtra Bhasha Parishad. Hindi Granth Academy functions from a separate building. Angika Academy still awaits office space allocation.
Linguist Bhairab Lal Das reveals none of these academies had a full-time director for two decades. Only a deputy director rank official from the education department currently oversees all academy activities.
These institutions face acute staff shortages. Barely a dozen employees remain across all academies against nearly one hundred sanctioned posts.
Voices of Concern
Maithili Sahitya Sansthan treasurer Shiv Kumar Mishra expresses deep regret. He says Maithili Academy, along with other language academies, lies on its deathbed. Although the academy published popular books used by civil services examination students, it cannot supply these books to needy candidates.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced in 2022 that all language academies would come under one umbrella for proper functioning and growth. Education Minister Sunil Kumar made a similar announcement later. However, Bhairab Lal Das confirms nothing concrete happened so far.
The future of Bihar's linguistic heritage hangs in balance as these academies struggle for survival.
