My interest in the Tirhuta script brings me to explore the tradition of Panji Prabandh practiced in the Mithila region.  

During a field visit to Madhubani, Bihar I met Sh. Mani Kumar Mishra (Kanhaiya ji), a resident of Saurath and a Panjikar by profession. 

My understanding of Panji is majorly based on my interaction with him during the field visit.

The interview was conducted in the local language Maithili. Following is the transcription of the interview in English.  

Jayant: With your kind permission I would like to ask you some questions, I would like to record our conversation and use it for my academic project. 

Kanhaiya Ji: Haan (Yes)  

Jayant: Please introduce yourself

Kanhaiya Ji:  My Name is Mani Kumar Mishra. I am also known by an alias of Kanhaiya Ji  / Kanhaiya Mishra 

Jayant: Where do you stay?

Kanhaiya Ji: My village is Saurath in Madhubani district. 

Jayant: What is meant by Panjikar? 

Kanhaiya Ji: Panjikars are the custodians/caretakers of the Panji tradition that has been followed since earlier times.  They are responsible for maintaining and expanding the system of Panji in Maithil Brahmins and Karn Kayasthas. For formalizing the marriage they write the Siddhant.  They travel and go door to door for getting these records. This is what the Panjikar does. 

Jayant: Since how long this practice has been followed? 

Kanhaiya Ji: As far as I know, the system of Panji started somewhere around 1350 AD. Since then the Panji system has been followed.  

Jayant: What is your opinion? Why Panji Pratha started?

Kanhaiya Ji: According to folklore and what is also mentioned in some texts that there was a time when it was believed that a Chandal did some wrong things (illicit relation) with women. As a result,  women were punished. However, the woman was innocent. Since then there is a tradition of following the Panji system started. This ensured that marriages were solemnized in such a way that the purity of blood is maintained. 

Jayant: What is the scientific reason? 

Kanhaiya Ji: To ensure that the child born out of a marriage is healthy and free from any deformity. This system is in place.  

Jayant: In the 14th Century what material was used for maintaining the panji? 

Kanhaiya Ji: During that time there was  no paper. There used to a leaf of bajarbattu. It is still found in some places. That was used. Later some Nepali Bansha paper came. It used to be very thin. It was made from bamboo. Two of such papers were pasted together and used for writing. There was no ink also at that time. So, ink was obtained from some plants (Bahera) and written using Karchi-Kalam. Longevity was ensured in maintaining the Panji   

Jayant: Do you have Panji dating back to 1350 AD.

Kanhaiya Ji: Yes, we have the Panji dating back from that time. We have the Vanshavalis of 22-23 generations. For one mool , there used to be one Beeji Purush. The descendants from this Beeji Purush kept populating and added to the Panji records. Often they settled in different villages. 

Jayant: Which script was used for writing the Panjis?

Kanhaiya Ji: Mithilakshar was used since the beginning for maintaining the system. Till now Mithilakshar is used. Some people have started using hindi too. Though that is not a good way for writing. Mithilakshar is more appropriate.  

Jayant: Why was Mithilakshar used? 

Kanhaiya Ji: Probably Hindi and Urdu and English writing systems were not available during the earlier times. Mithiliakshar was in use. And all the people (relatives) also inhabited the Mithila region only. So perhaps that is the reason why Mithilakshar is used ever since. 

Jayant: What is the difference between the Mithilakshar of an earlier time and the present times?

Kanhaiya Ji: Everybody's handwriting is different. My handwriting is different from my father's and my grandfather's. The handwriting of earlier times also differed accordingly. Sometimes  I face difficulty in reading the writings of my earlier generations. 

Jayant: What shall be done to ensure that we are able to read the handwriting of earlier times?

Kanhaiya Ji: One has to delve deep into handwriting to understand them. One has to practice reading and writing to understand them. Even today we learn the basic letterform then we are able to read. So if we know the basic letterforms used at that time we can read and write and understand.    

Jayant: Aren't the names and village names and relation names the major contents of a Panji? 

Kanhaiya Ji: One component of a Panji is Mool, which used to be noted from a house. Then the sister's details and children's details were also noted. Where were they married to? which mool and which village? In the Siddhant of a marriage, a Uttair is made in which 6 generations from the father's side where they were married, and 6 generations from the mother's side is included. Similarly,  Uttair from the boy's side and the girl's side are inspected from the records. If a relation was found within these 6 generations then it is called Unadhikar . And if no relations are found then it is called Adhikar and marriage can be solemnized.  Accordingly, the adhikar is written on the palm leaf or paper. These papers are exchanged between the boy's and girl's families for finalising of the marriage. The language is Sanskrit.   

Jayant: What future do you see for this Panji Prabandh? 

Kanhaiya Ji: Now more and more people are migrating from this region. Many have started the trend of inter-caste marriages. I don't consider these trends as favorable. 

Jayant: What do you think is the importance of preserving the Mithilakshar script? 

Kanhaiya Ji: It is surely important. This Panji system has been followed for a long time and still continues. The genealogy of so many generations is maintained with this system. Like Shiv Kumar Babu is actively involved in preserving the script. The Panjikars are also out of business due to the changing preferences of people. Previously, we received a good patronage but now the scenario has changed. 

Kanhaiya Ji: with 15 gotras and 450 mools it is very difficult for digitise the panji's. Also, it is difficult to match the data and from the records.  One organization should be made. People should be trained and educated in the task. 

Jayant: Thank you so much for sharing such valuable information.