Kaithi Revival: Restoring the Script of Bhojpuri Heritage
Kaithi is an ancient script that was once the primary writing system for Bhojpuri, Magahi, and several other languages of North India. It was extensively used for administrative, legal, and literary purposes during the medieval period and even under Mughal and British rule before being overshadowed by Devanagari in the 19th century. Unlike many other scripts, Kaithi strikes a balance between cursive flow and structural clarity, making it both aesthetically unique and functionally efficient
A Lost Script, A Lost Identity
The decline of Kaithi marked not just the loss of a writing system but also the erosion of a unique linguistic identity. Today, as Bhojpuri fights for recognition as an independent language, the revival of Kaithi is a crucial step toward reclaiming our heritage, strengthening academic research, and ensuring linguistic sovereignty
Why is Kaithi Important?
1. Cultural & Historical Reconnection
Kaithi carries the historical essence of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Reviving it is a tribute to our ancestors, scholars, and the cultural wealth of Bhojpuri-speaking communities.
2. Strengthening Bhojpuri’s Linguistic Independence
For centuries, Bhojpuri has been written in Devanagari, often leading to its misidentification as a "dialect" of Hindi. Restoring Kaithi as the primary script of Bhojpuri strengthens its status as an independent language.
3. Unlocking Forgotten Manuscripts & Historical Documents
Several historical and legal records in India remain locked away in Kaithi, with very few scholars able to decipher them. Reviving the script will enable researchers to rediscover valuable insights from Bhojpuri’s literary and cultural history.
4. Promoting Kaithi in Modern Digital Spaces
With the right technological advancements, Kaithi can be integrated into AI, machine learning, and NLP (Natural Language Processing) projects, ensuring its survival and practical usability in the digital age.
Our Step-by-Step Plan for Kaithi Revival
Next 5 year only
Phase 1: Awareness & Education (Year 1-2)
- Develop Kaithi learning modules for beginners, available online and offline.
- Launch public workshops in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, targeting students, educators, and language enthusiasts.
- Create an interactive Kaithi learning app with writing exercises and historical insights.
- Collaborate with local artists and calligraphers to reintroduce Kaithi in art and cultural spaces.
Phase 2: Standardization & Integration (Year 2-4)
- Work with linguistic experts to standardize Kaithi fonts for digital use.
- Partner with regional schools and universities to introduce elective courses on Kaithi.
- Engage with government bodies to advocate for Kaithi inclusion in academic and cultural institutions.
- Publish bilingual books (Kaithi & Devanagari) to make the transition easier for learners.
Phase 3: Institutional Recognition & Expansion (Year 4-5)
- Partner with major universities to establish Kaithi research centers.
- Integrate Kaithi into AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) projects, making it accessible for tech applications.
- Lobby for Kaithi’s official recognition in Bhojpuri-speaking states.
- Establish an annual Kaithi Summit, bringing together scholars, educators, and policymakers.
Our Next Ten Years Aim
Develop a full-fledged Kaithi dictionary and digital corpus.
Establish Kaithi as a widely taught and recognized script.
Implement Kaithi courses in at least 10 universities.
Launch a children’s book series in Kaithi to encourage early adoption.
Get government approval for Kaithi signboards in Bhojpuri-speaking regions.
Research With Us on Kaithi
Kaithi Linguistic & Structural Analysis
- Studying the phonetic and syntactic relationship between Kaithi and Bhojpuri.
- Comparative research on Kaithi, Devanagari, and other scripts.
- Reviving lost characters and writing conventions in Kaithi.
Historical Document Deciphering
- Digitizing and translating Kaithi manuscripts from archives.
- Exploring historical legal and administrative documents written in Kaithi.
- Studying the role of Kaithi in medieval and colonial-era India.
Kaithi in Education & Cultural Integration
- Designing Kaithi curriculum models for schools and universities.
- Studying the impact of script revival on language preservation.
- Promoting Kaithi storytelling, poetry, and literature among young learners.
Kaithi’s revival is not just about learning a script—it’s about reconstructing a lost intellectual and cultural heritage. The International Institute for Bhojpuri Learning and Development (IIBLD) invites scholars, researchers, and institutions to collaborate on groundbreaking research in the following areas
Institution we are partnered with
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