Inspired by the missionaries’ language development work, the Santals also gradually fell into this work. There was great enthusiasm among the Santals in the advancement of their own language and literature. However, the encouragement and support of missionaries cannot be financed. Being associated with various missions, the Santals on one hand help the missionaries in the work of language development, on the other hand, they also take up the pen themselves.
Needless to say, the penchant for
song writing was strong among the Santals during the missionary period.
Firstly, they published the written form of popular songs in the periodicals of
that time. Secondly, he wrote the song himself and published it. In this way
the Santal began to intrude in the practice of their own language and
literature. The practice must mean the practice of written literature.
Contact with missionaries may have
caused many to lose their own religion but it did not suppress the social and
cultural milieu. As a result, although the rituals and customs of Christianity
were celebrated among the Santals, they could not forget the social and
cultural customs from the early times.
Santali literature is enriched by
the contributions of numerous talented writers who have played a pivotal role
in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage, language, and traditions of
the Santali community. Santali writers, through their creative works, have
provided a window into the lives, beliefs, and aspirations of the Santal
people. They have woven tales that reflect the oral traditions of their
community, blending ancient myths, legends, and folklore with contemporary
narratives. These writers often utilize the rich tapestry of nature, mythology,
and spirituality to craft stories that resonate deeply with their readers.
Anyway, let’s get back to the
topic. With the encouragement and cooperation of the missionaries, the Santals
who engaged in the practice of their own language and literature were very
briefly introduced below, on the basis of information obtained.
Missionary Period Santali Writers
SL. No
Writers Names
1
Biram Hansda
2
Dula Hembram
3
Madhusudan Marandi
4
Dedem Hansda
5
Kalu Marandi
6
Sibu Besra
7
Khudia Marandi
8
Samai Murmu
9
Chaitanya Kumar Hembram
10
Nimbai Murmu
11
Kalu Kisku
12
Jalpa Saren
13
Benjamin Saren
14
Baburam Benjamin Saren
15
Bariyar Saren
16
Surya Murmu
17
Baydhanath Saren
18
Sona Tudu
19
Samiya Tudu
Establishment Period of Santali Written Literature
The period from the last few years of the eighties of the nineteenth century, i.e. from 1887 to the twenties of the twentieth century, is called the origin or establishment phase of Santali written literature. The list given below is the list of notable writers of starting written literature of Santal.
Names Of Establishment Period Santali Writers
| SL. No | Writers Names |
|---|---|
| 1 | Majhi Ramdas Tudu (Raska) |
| 2 | Chaitanya Kumar Hembram |
| 3 | Bir Sing Hembram |
| 4 | Arnest Saren |
| 5 | Jonas Hansda |
| 6 | Lachu Hembram |
| 7 | Barsa Joyel Hembram |
| 8 | Stephen C. Murmu |
| 9 | Mighu Kisku |
| 10 | Gobinda Murmu |
| 11 | Nikodam Mandi |
| 12 | Surai Murmu |
| 13 | Simon Baskey |
| 14 | Nuka Marandi |
| 15 | Samuel Kisku |
| 16 | Jakob O. Saren |
| 17 | Raya Saren |
| 18 | Charu Chandra Singh Sidup Saren |
| 19 | Baburam Benjamin Saren |
Modern Period Santali Writers
The literature of 1930’s has poetic spirit and artistic support on the one hand, as well as social harmony in terms of content. So this chapter can be called the journey of modernity in Santali written literature. Not only the collection of old traditions, but creative literature was born in this decade.
This period spans from the 1930s to the 1970s. From this phase, the trend of Santali literature began to flow in another direction. Writers engage in literary practice with a completely Bible-free mentality. Authors have presented the real Santal life in literature by discussing the rules, culture and religion of the society from the distant past. It can be said that Santal-centric literature developed. Contemplative appeals are found in writers’ thoughts, consciousness. As a result, Santal people adopted their literature. It is here that Santali literature passes the threshold of modernity.
| SL. No | Writers Names |
|---|---|
| 1 | Joseph Hansda |
| 2 | Paul Jujhar Saren |
| 3 | Paster K. Kisku |
| 4 | Sadhu Ramchand Murmu |
| 5 | Pandit Raghunath Murmu |
| 6 | Naike Mangal Chandra Turku Lumang Saren |
More in progress.....
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