Culture & Etiquette

1. मैथिली भाषा

   Mai-thi-li bhaa-shaa

   the Maithili language

   Usage

   The language of north Bihar and south-east Nepal, one of India's constitutional languages and an official language of Nepal's Madhesh Province.

   Grammar Note

   "भाषा" is dictionary-verified; "मैथिली भाषा" has a mai.wikipedia article.

2. मिथिला चित्रकला

   Mi-thi-laa chit-ra-ka-laa

   Mithila painting

   Usage

   The painting tradition of villages around Madhubani, drawing gods, weddings and nature in fine lines and bright colours.

   Grammar Note

   "चित्रकला" is dictionary-verified (art of painting); "मिथिला चित्रकला" has a mai.wikipedia article.

3. मिथिला चित्रकला कतए भेटत?

   Mi-thi-laa chit-ra-ka-laa ka-te bhe-tat?

   Where can I find Mithila paintings?

   Usage

   Asks where Mithila paintings can be found or bought, at a workshop or shop.

   Grammar Note

   "चित्रकला" and "कतए" are dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

4. हमरा मिथिला चित्रकला किनबाक अछि

   Ham-raa mi-thi-laa chit-ra-ka-laa kin-baak a-chhi

   I want to buy a Mithila painting.

   Usage

   Tells a seller that you want to buy a Mithila painting.

   Grammar Note

   "किनब" (to buy) and "चित्रकला" are dictionary-verified. "हमरा ... किनबाक अछि" is the "I am to buy ..." frame. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

5. पाग

   Paag

   paag (Mithila cap)

   Usage

   The cap worn by Mithila men at ceremonies and celebrations, a mark of honour and respect that is also given as a gift.

   Grammar Note

   "पाग" is dictionary-verified (Maithil turban) and has a mai.wikipedia article.

6. विद्यापति

   Vid-yaa-pa-ti

   Vidyapati (poet)

   Usage

   A Mithila poet of the 14th-15th century, regarded as the father of Maithili literature; his songs of love and devotion are still sung.

   Grammar Note

   "विद्यापति" has a mai.wikipedia article.

7. विद्यापतिक गीत

   Vid-yaa-pa-tik git

   songs of Vidyapati

   Usage

   The songs of the poet Vidyapati, sung at festivals, weddings and on stage.

   Grammar Note

   "गीत" is dictionary-verified; "विद्यापतिक" is genitive. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

8. तिरहुता लिपि

   Tir-hu-taa li-pi

   Tirhuta script

   Usage

   The old script of Maithili. Newspapers and books now use Devanagari, and Tirhuta is seen mainly in cultural events and some signs.

   Grammar Note

   "लिपि" is dictionary-verified (the entry mentions "मिथिलाक्षर वा तिरहुतिया").

9. मैथिली साहित्य

   Mai-thi-li saa-hit-ya

   Maithili literature

   Usage

   The literature of Maithili, from Vidyapati's verse to the modern novel.

   Grammar Note

   "साहित्य" is dictionary-verified; "मैथिली साहित्य" has a mai.wikipedia article.

10. सिक्की

    Sik-ki

    sikki (grass craft)

    Usage

    A handicraft of Mithila women who weave golden river grass into small boxes and figures.

    Grammar Note

    "सिक्की" is not in the dictionaries; it occurs once in mai.wikipedia text and has an en.wikipedia article.

11. मौनी

    Mau-ni

    mauni (small grass basket)

    Usage

    A small basket woven from grass or straw, used to hold sweets and offerings at celebrations.

    Grammar Note

    "मौनी" is dictionary-verified (a small woven vessel).

12. अरिपन

    A-ri-pan

    aripan (rice-paste floor art)

    Usage

    A pattern painted with rice paste on doorsteps and shrine floors by women on festive days.

    Grammar Note

    "अरिपन" is dictionary-verified (sacred diagrams).

13. कोहबर

    Koh-bar

    kohbar (wedding chamber art)

    Usage

    The decorated room for a newly wed couple and the auspicious paintings on its walls; a main theme of Mithila painting.

    Grammar Note

    "कोहबर" is dictionary-verified (bed-chamber of a newly married couple).

14. द्विरागमन

    Dvi-raa-ga-man

    dviragaman (bride's first move to her husband's home)

    Usage

    The ceremony in which a bride is first taken to her husband's home after the wedding, held on a separate day.

    Grammar Note

    "द्विरागमन" is dictionary-verified (the first going to the husband's home after marriage).

15. सौराठ सभा

    Sau-raath sa-bhaa

    Saurath Sabha (traditional gathering)

    Usage

    A traditional gathering held every year in the village of Saurath near Madhubani, where families meet to arrange marriages.

    Grammar Note

    "सभा" is dictionary-verified (assembly); "सौराठ" occurs 6 times in mai.wikipedia text.

16. जनक

    Ja-nak

    King Janaka

    Usage

    An ancient king of Mithila, foster-father of Sita; Janakpur takes its name from him.

    Grammar Note

    "जनक" has a mai.wikipedia article ("मिथिलाक ऐतिहासिक राजा").

17. पग-पग पोखरि माछ मखान

    Pag-pag po-kha-ri maachh ma-khaan

    at every step a pond, fish and makhana

    Usage

    A famous saying praising Mithila's richness: ponds everywhere, with fish and makhana as local produce.

    Grammar Note

    "पोखरि", "माछ" and "मखान" are dictionary-verified. The saying is well known locally, but no mai.wikipedia source sentence was found.

18. ई मैथिलीमे की कहल जाइत अछि?

    I mai-thi-li-me ki ka-hal jaa-it a-chhi?

    What is this called in Maithili?

    Usage

    Asks someone to tell you the Maithili name of something.

    Grammar Note

    "मैथिली" is dictionary-verified; "कहल जाइत अछि" is the passive "is said". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

19. हम मैथिली सिखए चाहैत छी

    Ham mai-thi-li si-khe chaa-hait chhi

    I want to learn Maithili.

    Usage

    Tells local people you want to learn their language, which is usually welcomed.

    Grammar Note

    "सिखब" (to learn) is dictionary-verified. "Want to" is verb stem + "ए" + "चाहैत छी". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

20. मिथिलाक भोजन बड़ नीक अछि

    Mi-thi-laak bho-jan bar nik a-chhi

    The food of Mithila is very good.

    Usage

    A compliment for a host after a meal.

    Grammar Note

    "भोजन" and "नीक" are dictionary-verified. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

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