The evolution Of Kosali Sambalpuri language

merinews, Jan 5, 2010
CJ: Satyajit Nayak

Kosali Sambalpuri language is spoken by more than 1.5 crore people across 10 districts of western Orissa, parts of Chhatissgarh and Jharkhand, But, it is yet to be recognized as a scheduled language of Indian republic.

ABOUT A decade and half ago when the Indian parliament was discussing the inclusion of the Nepali language in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution, a member of parliament from western Orissa said when Nepali can be included in the eighth schedule then why not Sambalpuri language which is also called as Kosali.


Member of Parliament, Sriballav Panigrahi argued that Sambalpuri language has got a rich literature and is spoken by more than 1.5 crore people across 10 districts of western Orissa, parts of Chattisgarh, parts of Jharkhand etc which is more than the Nepali speaking population in India.

He further added... now we are talking about removal of illiteracy and universalisation of primary education, the child is to be taught, is to be given education at the primary stage, in his own mother tongue, which is naturally not the standard language of that place.

In the tribal areas , many children are not attracted to schools and they treat the standard language(Oriya) as a foreign language. In the tribal belts, we should make arrangement for imparting education In their own mother tongue. He also mentioned the difference between Oriya and Sambalpuri(kosali) language which the Govt. of Orissa has described as a dialect.

This discussion in the Indian parliament beamed across the drawing rooms of every Indian home through the TV and ensured that Sambalpuri (Kosali) is now a recognized language all over. Long before these recognitions, in the early 70's a popular Sambalpuri song "Rangabati go Rangabati" written by Mitrabhanu Gauntia and sung by the legendary singer Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel was broadcast on All India Radio.

Soon it became a national anthem for every music band party ushering the bridegroom to the house of the bride. So high was the impact of this song that it was aired in early 1975 in Internationl Radio Stations like BBC & Voice of America. It was the first time that any regional Indian song (other than Hindi) was aired by BBC.Years later ,many music directors across the country copied this song and composed it by changing the lyrics into their own regional language with same meaning(Telugu song Rangabati) but nobody dared to change the rhythm and simplicity of the song. Such was the beauty of the language.The origin of the Kosali Sambalpuri language can be found from the 12th century AD Stambheswari inscription from Subarnapur district which was recovered by some local historians around 20 years ago. It is to be mentioned that Western Orissa region along with Chattisgarh was earlier known as the Dakhin Kosala Kingdom.

After India's independence, Chattisgarh was merged with Madhya Pradesh and western Orissa (Kosal) region with Orissa. Since then, the Orissa govt. declared Oriya as the only official language of the state and made it compulsory in schools, thus side-lining the hundred years old Kosali Sambalpuri language without caring about the sentiments of people from western Orissa.

But this forceful imposition of Oriya did not dither the spirit of the Kosali people. Years after the merger of dakhin Kosal (western Orissa) with Orissa ,a spirited Kosali Satya Narayan Bohidar (born on 1st August 1913 at Sonepur) prepared the first ever dictionary and basic grammar of Sambalpuri Language.

This was a revolution as well as a proof of the uniformity of the sambalpuri Kosali language. Years later, noted Sambalpuri litterateur, translator and scholar Sri Hemachandra Acharya, popularly known as the Balmiki of Kosali literature produced a master piece "The Kosali Ramayana – Ram Raha", published by the Sambalpur University in 2001.It was indeed a milestone achieved.

This Kosali Sambalpuri Ramayana - "Ram Raha" made him dearer to the masses in Western Orissa region where people speak Kosali (Sambalpuri) language. Even today, people in several villages in the region religiously preserve and recite his translated version. He was also engaged in translation of the Upanishad into Kosali but unfortunately breathed his last on the 26th of August 2009.Kosali Sambalpuri language got another moral booster when Dr.Nilamadhab Panigrahi, an eminent essayist, litterateur Poet-Author of many books, Editor of 'Nishan' & many more literary works, single handedly composed the Sambalpuri Mahabharat "Mahabharat Katha".

This book was also published by Sambalpur University. Many of his literary works included 'Sambalpuri-Koshali Grammer'Book, which he co-authored with Dr.Prafulla Tripathy. Dr Panigrahi was the torch bearer of the Kosali Sambalpuri language in the recent times. He refused to accept the 'Sarala Samman' which was to be given by IMFA Group because of his intense love for the Sambalpuri/Kosali language. Sarala Samman is usually given to people who have worked to popularize Oriya language. He was also the convenor of 'Koshal Sammellan' along with Mr.P.R.Dubey & Pandit Prayag Datta Joshi ,which spearheaded the socio-linguistic movement in Kosal region. He sat ona hunger strike demanding Primers(Primary Books) for Total Literacy Campaign to be made in 'Sambalpuri/Kosali' language in Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, Sundargarh, Sonepur, Nuapada, Baudh, Debgad, Jharsuguda & Bargarh districts & prevailed upon the district authorities.

An erstwhile Sanskrit & Odia scholar who abandoned writing in Odia language since about three decades. Also a prominent personality in India in the field of Indian Classical Music & was Principal of 'Gandharva Viswa-Vidyalaya', U.P.As the world was welcoming the new millennium with full joy and enthusiasm a new torch-bearer for the Kosali Sambalpuri language came into the picture.

It was non-other than the un-educated (never went to school) nature poet Haldhar Nag. Due to his simple rendition of poems, he became a hit with the masses of western Orissa. He is, by far the most popular Sambalpuri writer in western Orissa. His masterpiece "Aamar gaan'r masan padaa"(Our Village's graveyard) and "Dhadho Bargach"(Old Banyan Tree) are very much popular through out the region. He is also credited with introducing the first Kosali Sambalpuri vernacular Magazine "Varni".Many more intellects and poets like Nimai Charan Panigrahi, Amulya Dandsena, Dr.Harekrishna Meher, Kalicharan Panigrahi, Jatindra Pradhan etc. are contributing a lot to popularise the Sambalpuri literature.


Besides all these greats, there are thousands of unknown poets and writers who are sitting quietly under some mango groves in some remote village and are penning down their expression in their mother tongue Kosali Sambalpuri with the hope of getting recognized some day. As we entered another decade in the new millenium, the youth or the young generation of Kosal is taking charge to popularize their Mother tongue Kosali and trying hard to get it recognized officially. As the world was welcoming the year 2010 , a young brigade of Kosali youth launched.

Edited by Saket Sahu, It was launched as the clock hit midnight welcoming the New year which incidentally happened to be the Second biggest festival of western orissa "PUSPUNI". It was indeed an indication of the glorious future of this language.So thus the Sambalpuri Kosali language took more than 900 years to evolve and it is asking all our bureaucrats and politician to give it the due respect which it deserves by including it in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution and formally declaring it as an scheduled language of the Indian Republic.