Ol Chiki Script at 100: A Milestone in Tribal Linguistic Heritage

Why in News ?

The President of India recently attended the Centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of the Santhali language in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, marking 100 years since the invention of the script.

Background & Context

India’s linguistic diversity includes several indigenous and tribal languages that historically relied on oral traditions. The absence of a dedicated script often limited their literary development and official recognition.

The creation of Ol Chiki in the early 20th century was a landmark moment in India’s cultural history, as it:

• Gave the Santhali language a distinct written form
• Strengthened tribal identity and cultural self-expression
• Laid the foundation for constitutional recognition decades later

The centenary celebrations underscore India’s growing emphasis on preserving indigenous languages and scripts as part of its intangible cultural heritage.

What is the Ol Chiki Script ?

Ol Chiki is the indigenous script of the Santhali language, designed specifically to reflect its phonetic and grammatical structure.

Other Names

• Ol Cemet’
• Ol Ciki
• Ol
• Santali Alphabet

The script is uniquely tailored to Santhali, unlike earlier attempts to write the language using Bengali, Devanagari, or Roman scripts.

Origin and Historical Development

• Invented: 1925
• Inventor: Pandit Raghunath Murmu
• Place: Mayurbhanj State (present-day Odisha)

Public Recognition

• First publicly showcased in 1939 at the Mayurbhanj State Exhibition
• Gradually gained acceptance among Santhali speakers across eastern India

Structural and Linguistic Features of Ol Chiki

• Fully phonetic script
• 30 letters, each representing a distinct sound
• Designed to mirror:
  • Santhali pronunciation
  • Syntax and linguistic rhythm
• Avoids ambiguities present when Santhali was written using non-native scripts

This linguistic precision made Ol Chiki an effective tool for education, literature, and cultural transmission.

Role of Pandit Raghunath Murmu

Pandit Raghunath Murmu was a:

• Writer
• Teacher
• Cultural reformer

Literary Contributions

He authored and published numerous works in Ol Chiki, including:

• Novels
• Poetry
• Dramas
• Grammar books
• Dictionaries
• Cultural and linguistic treatises

His efforts transformed Santhali from a largely oral language into a written literary tradition, strengthening cultural pride among Santhal communities.

Santali Language: Key Facts

Linguistic Classification

• Belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family
• One of the oldest linguistic families in South and Southeast Asia

Geographic Distribution

• India: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
• Outside India: Northwestern Bangladesh, eastern Nepal, Bhutan

Constitutional and Cultural Significance

Eighth Schedule Inclusion

• Santali was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 2003
• Ol Chiki recognised as its official script

Implications

• Constitutional status for the language
• Promotion in:
  • Education
  • Administration
  • Cultural institutions
• Strengthened tribal linguistic rights and representation

Contemporary Relevance

• Ol Chiki is now used in:
  • School textbooks
  • Competitive examinations
  • Digital fonts and Unicode platforms
• Centenary celebrations reflect:
  • Growing state support for tribal cultures
  • Alignment with initiatives like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and inclusive cultural nationalism