Santali literature

Santali literature (Santali: ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲᱤ ᱥᱟᱶᱦᱮᱫ) refers to the literary works written in the Santali language, primarily spoken by the Santal people of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India^[1] and is written in the indigenous script called Ol Chiki script.^[2]^[3] Santali literature is composed in two broad styles- ᱠᱟᱹᱛᱷᱱᱤ (Kạthni-prose), ᱜᱟᱹᱛᱷᱱᱤ (Gạthni-poetry).In terms of historical development, it is broadly classified into two prominent forms (genres) based on historical passes. They are:

Rar Sāṅhed (ᱨᱚᱲ ᱥᱟᱶᱦᱮᱫ) – before and including 18th century CE. This period was marked by poems and stories extolling oral literature.
Al Sāṅhed (ᱚᱞ ᱥᱟᱶᱦᱮᱫ) – from 19th century onwards. This era is known for its vibrant literary works and creative writing.

The Santali Latin alphabet was created in the 1890s by the Norwegian missionary Paul Olaf Bodding. It is still used by some Santhals, particularly the members of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC). The Ol Chiki script was invented in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu.^[4]

Historical development

The roots of Santali literature can be traced back to ancient times when it was primarily oral. The Santal community has a rich tradition of oral literature, including folk tales, songs, and myths, passed down through generations. The earliest known written works in Santali date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the efforts of Christian missionaries and Santal intellectuals.

Early influences

The Christian missionaries played a significant role in the development of written Santali literature. The first book written in Santali, a translation of the Bible, was published in 1895 by Lars Olsen Skrefsrud, a Norwegian missionary. Following this, several other missionaries and Santal scholars contributed to the development of Santali literature.^[5]

Literary forms

Santali literature encompasses various forms, including poetry, prose, drama, and folk literature. Traditional Santali literature includes a rich collection of folk tales, myths, and legends that have been orally transmitted through generations. These oral traditions continue to influence contemporary Santali literature.^[6]

Notable people

Turia Chand Baskey
Damayanti Beshra (born 1962)
Shyam Sundar Besra (born 1961)
Gangadhar Hansda (born 1958)
Rupchand Hansda
Suchitra Hansda (born 1983)
Salge Hansdah (born 1989)
Arjun Charan Hembram (born 1952)
Kali Charan Hembram (born 1960)
Anjali Kisku (born 1992)
Jamadar Kisku (born 1949)
Sarada Prasad Kisku (born 1929)
Somai Kisku (born 1959)
Gobinda Chandra Majhi (born 1956)
Aditya Kumar Mandi (born 1974)
Joba Murmu
Rabindranath Murmu (born 1967)
Raghunath Murmu (1905–1982)^[7]^[8]^[9]
Rani Murmu (born 1988)
Sadhu Ramchand Murmu
Thakur Prasad Murmu (1931–2018)
Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar (born 1983)^[10]^[11]
Gomasta Prasad Soren (born 1943)
Kherwal Soren (born 1957)
Bapi Tudu (born 1998)
Maina Tudu (born 1984)
Majhi Ramdas Tudu (1854–1951)
Rabilal Tudu (born 1949)
Tala Tudu (born 1972)

Recognition and impact

Santhali was recognised by Sahitya Akademi in the year 2004,^[12]^[13] after it had been recognised by the Ninety-second Amendment of the Constitution of India in 2003.^[14]

References

^ "Distribution of the 22 Scheduled Languages". censusindia.gov.in. Census of India. 20 May 2013. Archived from the original on 7 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
^ "Santali language and alphabets". www.omniglot.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
^ Hembram, Phatik Chandra (2002). Santal, a Natural Language. U. Hembram. p. 165.
^ bureau, Odisha Diary (11 May 2017). "Tata Steel celebrates Pt Raghunath Murmu's birth anniversary in Kalinganagar". OdishaDiary. Retrieved 15 February 2019. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
^ Skrefsrud, Lars Olsen (1873). A grammar of the Santhal language. University of Michigan. Benares : Calcutta School Book and Vernacular Literature Society.
^ Choksi, Nishaant (2017-12-18). "Script as constellation among Munda speakers: the case of Santali". South Asian History and Culture. 9 (1): 92–115. doi:10.1080/19472498.2017.1411064. ISSN 1947-2498.
^ ":: BCW Department-Govt of West Bengal, Pandit Raghunath Murmu ::". 2012-07-28. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
^ Nayak, Dr. Rajkishore (10 May 2017). "ପ୍ରଣମ୍ୟ ପୁରୁଷ: ପଣ୍ଡିତ ରଘୁନାଥ ମୁର୍ମୁ". Suryaprava. Archived from the original on 2017-06-27. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
^ "Guru Gomke Raghunath Murmu". Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
^ Sahitya Akademi. "List of Yuva Puraskar winners (2011-2017)". Sahitya Akademi. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
^ "The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey". International Dublin Literary Award. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
^ "What a teacher's Sahitya Akademi award for Santali poetry means for students at an Adivasi school in West Bengal". The Indian Express. 2022-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
^ "Santali National Literature Award : Santali Sahitya Akademi". Home | EDISOM. 2014-09-16. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
^ "Texts of the Constitution Amendment Acts" (PDF). Lok Sabha Secretariat. pp. 672–673. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.