Santhali Literature
Santhali is one of the prominent tribal languages of Jharkhand and belongs to the Austric language family. It is mainly spoken in the Santhal Parganas region. The literary tradition of Santhali has a strong foundation in folk culture. Its folk literature mainly includes folk songs, folk tales and proverbs and maintains a close relationship with nature. The influence of flora and fauna can be clearly observed in Santhali folklore. Two valleys, Siyan Duar and Bahin Duar, are mentioned in the folklore, while the period of Chai Champa is regarded as a golden period.
Santhali folk songs cover a wide range of subjects such as religion, nationality, love and beauty, work, psychology, couples, household life, deeds and life. Elements associated with Shringar, Shanta, Karun and Komarasara are also prominently reflected in these songs. The written tradition of Santhali literature gradually developed through books on language, dictionaries, grammar, poetry, stories and drama.
The development of Santhali language studies began with important works by scholars and missionaries. J. Phillips wrote An Introduction to the Santhal Language, which was published in 1852 AD and is regarded as the first book on the Santhali language. L. Paxule prepared the first Santhali dictionary, A Vocabulary of the Santhali Language, in 1868 AD. L.O. Scrapsrud wrote A Grammar of the Santhali Language in 1873 AD. In the same year, Hodko Rane Mare Hanpadam Koreyak was published in Roman script as a narrative associated with Christian missionaries. Campbell's Santhali to English and English to Santhali Dictionary was published in 1899 AD. Later, P.O. Bodding's Materials for a Santhali Grammar and A Santhali Dictionary were published in 1929 AD. In 1951 AD, Doman Sahu Sameer prepared Santhali Praveshika in Devanagari script, while Kewal Soren composed Hindi to Santhali Kosh.
Poetry occupies an important position in Santhali literature. The collection Onondahne, Baha Dalwak, published in 1936 AD, is notable for preserving the original poems of Pal Jujhar Soren. W.G. Archer published two collections of Santhali folklore, Hoode Sereyan and Dod Sereyan, between 1942 and 1945. Other important poetic works include Sereyan Ita, containing song lyrics by Sri Panchanan Marandi, and Abhen Adai (Jagran Gaan), written by Thakur Prasad Murmu. In 1953 AD, Sharda Prasad Kisku published Bhurka Ipil (Shukratara), a collection of 41 poems, in Devanagari script. In the same year, Doman Sahu Sameer published Disom Baba (President), a work containing Santhali folklore verses and written in Devanagari.
The tradition of Santhali folk tales is also significant. P.O. Bodding published Hod Kahani Ko in 1924 AD and Gam story in 1945 AD. The first Santhali novel is attributed to R. Carters, whose Hadmavak Ato (Village of Hadma) was published in Roman script in 1946 AD. The second major novel is Muhila Chechet Dai (teacher lady), written by Nanku Soren. The first Santhali story collection, Kukamun (dream), was written by Bal Kishore Vasu in Devanagari script. Basmunda (Drunk) is another published work associated with Doman Sahu.
Drama also occupies an important place in the development of Santhali literature. Raghunath Murmu's Vidhu Chandan is regarded as the first literary drama of the Santhali language. It was first published in Oriya script in 1942 and was published again in Bangla script in 1947 AD. The work is regarded as a priceless contribution to Santhali literature. Raghunath Murmu later wrote the second play, Kherwar Bir, in 1952 AD, which portrays the struggle between humans and demons. Other notable Santhali plays include Rupnarayan Shyam's Aale Aatho (Our Village) and Balakishore Basuki's Aaraman and Aakil Aarasi (Gyan Darpan).
Newspapers and magazines also contributed to the growth of Santhali literature. Several publications appeared in the Santhali language, including Peda Hod, associated with the Protestant Mission's monthly magazine, and Marsalatabon, associated with the Catholic Mission. In 1947, Hod Samvad became the first newspaper published in Devanagari script. It was edited by Doman Sahu Sameer and was published by the Public Relations Department of the Government of Bihar.
Important Facts
| S.N. | Topic | Important Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Language Family | Santhali is one of the prominent tribal languages of Jharkhand and belongs to the Austric language family. |
| 2 | Main Region | It is mainly spoken in the Santhal Parganas region. |
| 3 | Folk Literature | Santhali folk literature mainly consists of folk songs, folk tales and proverbs. |
| 4 | Relation with Nature | Santhali folk literature has a close relationship with nature, particularly flora and fauna. |
| 5 | Two Valleys | Siyan Duar and Bahin Duar are two valleys mentioned in Santhali folklore. |
| 6 | Golden Period | The period of Chai Champa is described as a golden period. |
| 7 | Themes of Folk Songs | Religion, nationality, love and beauty, work, psychology, couples, household life, deeds and life are among the major themes. |
| 8 | Literary Elements | Shringar, Shanta, Karun and Komarasara are prominently reflected in Santhali folk songs. |
| 9 | First Book | J. Phillips wrote An Introduction to the Santhal Language, regarded as the first book on the Santhali language, in 1852 AD. |
| 10 | First Dictionary | L. Paxule prepared A Vocabulary of the Santhali Language, the first Santhali dictionary, in 1868 AD. |
| 11 | First Grammar | L.O. Scrapsrud wrote A Grammar of the Santhali Language in 1873 AD. |
| 12 | Hodko Rane Mare Hanpadam Koreyak | This narrative was published in Roman script in 1873 AD and was associated with Christian missionaries. |
| 13 | Bilingual Dictionary | Campbell's Santhali to English and English to Santhali Dictionary was published in 1899 AD. |
| 14 | P.O. Bodding | His Materials for a Santhali Grammar and A Santhali Dictionary were published in 1929 AD. |
| 15 | Santhali Praveshika | Doman Sahu Sameer prepared Santhali Praveshika in Devanagari script in 1951 AD. |
| 16 | Hindi to Santhali Kosh | It was composed by Kewal Soren. |
| 17 | Onondahne, Baha Dalwak | This poetry collection was published in 1936 AD and contains original poems of Pal Jujhar Soren. |
| 18 | W.G. Archer | He published Hoode Sereyan and Dod Sereyan, two collections of Santhali folklore, between 1942 and 1945. |
| 19 | Sereyan Ita | It contains song lyrics written by Sri Panchanan Marandi. |
| 20 | Abhen Adai | It is a Jagran Gaan written by Thakur Prasad Murmu. |
| 21 | Bhurka Ipil | A collection of 41 poems, published in Devanagari script by Sharda Prasad Kisku in 1953 AD. |
| 22 | Disom Baba | A book of Santhali folklore verses by Doman Sahu Sameer, published in 1953 AD. |
| 23 | Folk Tales | P.O. Bodding published Hod Kahani Ko in 1924 AD and Gam story in 1945 AD. |
| 24 | First Novel | R. Carters wrote Hadmavak Ato (Village of Hadma), published in Roman script in 1946 AD. |
| 25 | Second Major Novel | Muhila Chechet Dai (teacher lady) was written by Nanku Soren. |
| 26 | First Story Collection | Kukamun (dream), written by Bal Kishore Vasu in Devanagari script. |
| 27 | Doman Sahu | Basmunda (Drunk) is a published literary work associated with Doman Sahu. |
| 28 | First Literary Drama | Vidhu Chandan, written by Raghunath Murmu, is regarded as the first literary drama of Santhali. |
| 29 | Publication of Vidhu Chandan | It was first published in Oriya script in 1942 and again in Bangla script in 1947 AD. |
| 30 | Importance of Vidhu Chandan | It is regarded as a priceless work of Santhali literature. |
| 31 | Second Play | Raghunath Murmu wrote Kherwar Bir in 1952 AD. |
| 32 | Theme of Kherwar Bir | The play presents the struggle between humans and demons. |
| 33 | Other Major Plays | Rupnarayan Shyam's Aale Aatho (Our Village), and Balakishore Basuki's Aaraman and Aakil Aarasi (Gyan Darpan). |
| 34 | Newspapers and Magazines | Several newspapers and magazines were published in the Santhali language. |
| 35 | Important Magazines | Peda Hod of the Protestant Mission and Marsalatabon of the Catholic Mission are notable. |
| 36 | First Newspaper | Hod Samvad was the first newspaper published in Devanagari script in 1947. |
| 37 | Editor | Hod Samvad was edited by Doman Sahu Sameer. |
| 38 | Publisher | It was published by the Public Relations Department of the Government of Bihar. |