The Marathi Language Marathi literature is a rich and diverse body of work that has been developed over centuries in the Marathi language, which is primarily spoken in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The earliest examples of Marathi literature are religious texts, such as the Bhavartha Dipika, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, and the Jñāneśvarī, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by the Marathi saint and poet Jñāneśvar. History The period between the 13th and the 18th centuries saw the emergence of a number of important Marathi poets and saints, such as Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, and Eknath. Their works, which are considered to be the foundation of Marathi literature, dealt with themes of devotion, morality, and ethics. These works, which were written in a simple and direct language, were widely popular among the common people and played an important role in spreading education and knowledge in Maharashtra. The 19th century saw the emergence of a new literary movement in Marathi literatu