Santali literature

Santali literature 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 and is written in the indigenous script called Ol Chiki script. Santali literature is composed in two broad styles- ᱠᱟᱹᱛᱷᱱᱤ, ᱜᱟᱹᱛᱷᱱᱤ.In terms of historical development, it is broadly classified into two prominent forms based on historical passes. They are:

Rar Sāṅhed – before and including 18th century CE. This period was marked by poems and stories extolling oral literature.
Al Sāṅhed – 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. The Ol Chiki script was invented in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu.

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.

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.

Notable people

Recognition and impact

Santali was recognised by Sahitya Akademi in the year 2004, after it had been recognised by the Ninety-second Amendment of the Constitution of India in 2003.