Sahitya

Sahitya is a term used in many Indian languages to denote literature—the body of written works and the study of the literary arts. Derived from Sanskrit, sahitya is widely adopted across languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and others to refer to both the literature of a language and the discipline that analyzes it.

Historically, sahitya encompasses a range of traditions. Classical Sanskrit literature includes epic poetry, drama, philosophy, and poetics. Regional vernacular literatures developed from medieval to modern times, contributing to cultural identity and social life. In the colonial and postcolonial eras, modern sahitya expanded with print culture, education, reform movements, and translation, leading to national and regional literary canons.

Contemporary usage covers poetry, fiction, drama, essays, criticism, and translation. It also denotes the institutions and activities that promote literature, such as literary magazines, universities, and national bodies. In India, the Sahitya Akademi and state or regional academies promote sahitya in multiple languages and sponsor awards and publications.

Overall, sahitya serves as an umbrella concept for literature in South Asia, reflecting linguistic diversity, historical change, and ongoing cultural expression.