Script Pride: The Ol Chiki Revolution

The celebration of Pandit Raghunath Murmu’s 120th birth anniversary in Odisha is not just a tribute to a visionary but a recognition of the transformative power of a script. Murmu’s invention of the Ol Chiki script in 1925 marked a turning point for the Santhali language, elevating it from oral traditions to a written literary culture. This script, with its 30 unique letters, became the foundation for a cultural resurgence, enabling Santhali literature to flourish with luminaries like Damayanti Beshra, Shyam Sundar Besra, and Gangadhar Hansda. The recent ₹50 crore package announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to promote Ol Chiki and preserve Murmu’s legacy underscores how a script can become a vehicle for identity, pride, and progress.

A script of one’s own is more than a linguistic tool; it is an assertion of cultural autonomy. For the Santhali community, Ol Chiki provided a sense of belonging and a medium to document their history, folklore, and wisdom. This is evident in the burgeoning Santhali literature, which now spans poetry, novels, and academic works. The script’s adoption in primary education, as proposed by the Odisha government, will further institutionalise this growth, ensuring future generations inherit a rich linguistic heritage. Moreover, the rise of Santhali cinema and music, powered by Ol Chiki, demonstrates how a script can fuel creative industries, fostering economic opportunities and cultural visibility.

The digital age has added another dimension to this revival. Tech enthusiasts are now adapting Ol Chiki for digital platforms, making it accessible to younger generations. Initiatives like digital fonts and online libraries are bridging the gap between tradition and modernity. This technological integration ensures that Santhali remains relevant in an increasingly digital world, a lesson for other indigenous languages struggling to survive.

In contrast, many North Eastern languages like Khasi and Meitei rely on the Roman or Bengali scripts, compromising linguistic uniqueness. The tonal nuances of Khasi or the phonetic richness of Meitei are often lost in Roman transliterations. This dependency hampers the preservation of linguistic identity and slows literary growth. The Santhali experience shows that a native script can ignite a cultural renaissance, whereas borrowed scripts risk eroding linguistic distinctiveness.

Pandit Murmu’s legacy is a testament to how a script can empower a community. It fosters pride, enables education, and fuels artistic expression. As Odisha celebrates his contributions, it sets a precedent for other regions to invest in indigenous scripts. The Ol Chiki story is not just about letters on a page; it is about a people reclaiming their voice and writing their own future. In a world where languages disappear at an alarming rate, such efforts are not just commendable—they are essential.