A. N. College, Patna

The Department of Maithili is one of the oldest faculties of the college. The department is housed in the "Tutorial Block". It imparts both Undergraduate and Post graduate Degrees in Maithili literature. The department also facilitates researches and has a well stocked library.
The Department of Maithili in colleges, serves as a vital center for the preservation, promotion, and scholarly study of the Maithili language, literature, and cultural heritage. As one of the oldest and most culturally significant languages of Mithila region, Maithili holds a prestigious place in Indian literature, with its rich tradition of poetry, folklore, and classical works like Vidyapati's lyrics and modern literary contributions. The department offers comprehensive courses in Maithili literature, linguistics, grammar, and folk traditions, ensuring students develop both critical and creative engagement with the language.
The department is supported by experienced faculty members, including scholars and researchers specializing in medieval Maithili literature, modern Maithili writing, and comparative studies. Classroom teaching is supplemented with interactive sessions, poetry recitations, and drama workshops to bring Maithili literature to life. Many colleges also maintain a dedicated Maithili library, housing rare manuscripts, printed books, and audio recordings of folk songs and oral narratives.
To strengthen cultural connections, the department organizes annual seminars, Maithili literary festivals, and guest lectures by renowned writers and linguists. Students participate in research projects documenting dialects, transcribing oral traditions, and digitizing Maithili texts to safeguard the language for future generations. Collaborations with Maithili academies and cultural organizations in Bihar further enrich academic programs, fostering a deeper appreciation of Mithila’s heritage.
By blending traditional scholarship with modern pedagogical approaches, the Department of Maithili plays a crucial role in sustaining the linguistic and literary legacy of Bihar while preparing students for careers in education, translation, media, and cultural preservation.

The Department of Maithili in Bihar's educational institutions benefits from specialized infrastructure designed to preserve and promote the linguistic and cultural heritage of Mithila:

1. Digital Language Laboratory:

• Equipped with audio-visual systems for Maithili phonetics training
• Computer workstations with Maithili typing software and Unicode support
• Digital archives of rare Maithili manuscripts and folk recordings

2. Maithili Resource Center:

• Specialized library containing:
• Classical texts (Vidyapati, Jyotirishwar Thakur)
• Modern literary works and research journals
• Folk literature collections (Samda, Kirtaniya traditions)
• Digital repository of Maithili periodicals and newspapers

3. Cultural Performance Space:

• Dedicated hall for:
• Maithili drama rehearsals and performances
• Traditional folk arts (Sama Chakeva, Jat-Jatin dance)
• Poetry recitation and musical events
• Audio recording facilities for oral tradition documentation

4. Research and Documentation Unit:

• Fieldwork equipment for dialect studies
• Scanner and preservation tools for manuscript digitization
• Collaboration space for comparative literature research

5. Technology-Enabled Classrooms:

• Smart boards with Maithili language interfaces
• Video conferencing facilities for guest lectures
• Multimedia systems for teaching Maithili cinema studies

6. Mithila Art Corner:

• Display area for:
• Madhubani paintings depicting literary themes
• Traditional artifacts supporting cultural studies
• Student projects on Maithili heritage

The department maintains strong digital infrastructure with access to the Maithili Wikipedia project and online lexical resources. Many colleges are developing mobile applications for Maithili learning in collaboration with Bihar's Language Directorate. This infrastructure supports both academic rigor and community engagement, ensuring the living tradition of Maithili thrives in its geographical heartland while meeting modern educational standards.