A volume to celebrate his life's work, edited by Anjum Katyal and Javed Malick, is a tribute to his legacy.

But there's hope, given the recognition in film festivals. Maithili movies are raising issues which concern day-to-day life of ordinary citizens, blurring the linguistic and aesthetic divide.

Geetanjali Shree is known for her rebellious streak when it comes to craft and language. The current political dispensation is perhaps aware of the influence and reach of her words.