A poet of Mithila
Mahakavi Pandit Lal Das
A distinguished poet of Mithila's rich literary tradition, remembered for his literary works, dedication and contribution to Maithili literature.
A life and body of work presented through family-supplied editions and source-based biography.
परिचय · Biography
The account of his life in Lal Das Rachanavali describes a scholar formed by devotional learning, family traditions and a sustained engagement with literature.
Born in a Kayastha family in Madhubani, then part of Darbhanga district, Lal Das arrived on Falgun Krishna Tritiya in Vikram Samvat 1912 (1856 CE). Named Chudamani Das at birth, he became known as Lal Das. His father Bachkan Das was devout; his mother was remembered for her virtue and religious devotion. The family had five sons and five daughters.
Lal Das began alphabet learning at about age five, with early instruction in Mithilakshar and Hindi. His father chose Sanskrit as the foundation of his education. He also studied Persian for four years with a Maulvi and went on to study Sanskrit, devotional literature and classical texts.
Lal Das’s life joined teaching, poetry, religious composition and translation. He travelled on pilgrimage to Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya, Vrindavan and Janakpur, and composed Maithili works including the Mithila Ramayan.
Source: Damodar Lal Das, “Mahakavi Pandit Lal Dasak Jeevan-Parichay,” Bhavanjali Smarika 2022, printed pages 9–19.
Read the full biography →साहित्यिक योगदान · Literary contribution
The Part 2 essay on Lal Das’s significance presents a writer whose work connects Maithili expression with religious, philosophical and cultural learning.
Poetry, narrative and translation in Maithili form a central part of the works listed across the two Rachanavali parts.
The biography describes his study of Sanskrit and classical religious texts; the significance essay emphasizes his grounding in religious and Puranic literature.
The catalogue includes vrat kathas, Chandi Charit, Janaki Ramayana and a Maithili translation of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
The source essay notes that some writings preserve historical, social and cultural details of Mithila alongside their literary and devotional purposes.
Based on “Mahakavi Lal Dasak Mahatva,” in Mahakavi Pandit Lal Das Rachanavali, Part 2 (2021), printed pages 7–11.
रचनाएँ · Literary works
Two further titles, Rameshwar Charit · Mithila Ramayan and Maheshwar Vinod, were published independently before Mahakavi Pandit Lal Das Rachnavali Part 1 and Part 2. The groups below list works from the published Rachnavali parts.
Rameshwar Charit · Mithila Ramayan (रमेश्वर चरित · मिथिला रामायण) · Maheshwar Vinod (महेश्वर विनोद)
Stri-Dharma Shiksha / Pativratāchār (स्त्री-धर्मशिक्षा अर्थात् पतिव्रताचार) · Savitri-Satyavan Maithili play (सावित्री-सत्यवान मैथिली नाटक)
Viradawali (विरुदावली) · Mahalakshmi Vrat Katha (महालक्ष्मी व्रतकथा) · Haritalika Vrat Katha (हरितालिका व्रतकथा) · Vaidhavya Bhanjani / Somavari Vrat Katha (वैधव्य भञ्जनी / सोमवारी व्रतकथा) · Chandi Charit (चण्डीचरित) · Sang Durga Prakashika (साङ्गदुर्गा प्रकाशिका) · Janaki Ramayana (जानकी रामायण) · Maithili translation of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अनुवाद)
The contents and page references are in the supplied editions. The catalogue does not imply that every work is available as a separate edition.
Printed editions
Explore the two-part Rachanavali as a record of Lal Das’s literary contribution. Sample pages are available; ask about printed copies.
Gallery
A small visual selection from the family-preserved portrait and the supplied Rachanavali editions.
