Mahakabi of Santali Literature Sadhu Ramchand Murmu

The great poet Sadhu Ramchand Murmu who devoted his life for the improvement of the Santali Literature in various categories is known as the ‘Mahakabi’ of Santali Language & Literature. 

He was born on 1st May in the year 1897 in a traditional santal village named Kamarbandi at Silda via Binpur in the district of Midnapur, West Bengal. From the beginning his surroundings were not conducive for creative literature. When he started his writings, he had struggled so much. He had not got proper higher education and so other problems were there. But his determination and efforts towards Santali literature ultimately results in the enrichment the santali literature.

He is considered as a poet of his own class. His poems were written in special style which are highly popular in the predominated santal areas in Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal and Assam. He had realized that literature and culture are the backbone of a community. Therefore enriching them was his high priority. Thus the main theme of his poems was social reforms. His writings had created special dimension in santali literature. For literary improvement, in 1923 he invented a distinct script for writing in santali. That script is known as ‘Maj Dader Ank’. Due to lack of scientific proves and other issues the script had not been spread in the society. 

He composed many poems in keeping view the central idea of social and cultural values and ethics of the santal society. Apart from the works on poetry, he wrote plays and essays. But none of his works were published in his life time due to lack of finance & other various problems. It is long after his death, different Adibasi Organizations came forward and made efforts to publish his works. Some of his notable works are 1. Sari Dhorom Serenj Puthi (2 parts-1969), 2. Lita Godet (1979), 3. Sonsar Phend (Drama), 4. Isror (Verse), 5. Ol Doho Onorhe (Poetry).

Kabiguru of Santali Literature Sadhu Ramchand Murmu had departed for ‘Swarag Puri’ on 15th December in the year 1954.

Today on 1st May, 2020, on his 124th birthday on behalf of Adivasi Students' Association, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, we are venerating the great santali poet Sadhu Ramchand Murmu. 

Janam maha re shay shay johar 🙏 🙏 🙏.