Maina Tudu
Maina Tudu
is an Indian Santali-language poet, lexicographer, and educator from Odisha. She is best known for her poetry collection Marsal Dahar, for which she was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2017. She is an advocate for the promotion of Santali language and Ol Chiki script, and has contributed to Santali digital and literary initiatives.
Career
Tudu began writing poetry at a young age and gained recognition for her contribution to Santali literature. Her poetry reflects themes of identity, indigenous culture, and linguistic pride.In 2017, she received the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for her Santali poetry collection Marsal Dahar.23 She has also authored Ol Chiki Ada Gaban, a grammar book in the Ol Chiki script, aimed at learners and teachers of Santali language.
Tudu is a co-founder of the Santali literary platform Ayo Arang and is an active contributor to the Santali Wikipedia, helping improve access to information in the Santali language.
Awards
Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, 2017 – for Marsal DaharSelected works
Marsal Dahar – poetry collectionOl Chiki Ada Gaban – grammar book on the Ol Chiki script
Biography
Tudu is a graduate in Santali. For her poetry Marsal Dahar she was awarded [List of List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Santali|Yuva Puraskar winners for Santali|Yuva Puraskar] in 2017.Tudu also wrote Ol Chiki Ada Gaban.