Recent initiative by Sambalpur University to recognize Sambalpuri-Koshli language as per 8th schedule of the constitution has brought controversies due to terminology rather than recognition of language/dialect itself. It can be always contested for any dialect vs. separate language movement. The issue here is not about recognition of language rather than emotional trespassing of few selective group/district to whole Western Odisha.
Without going into a scholarly, academic and rational debate, the Sambalpuri-Koshli term approved by Sambalpur University for the spoken language in Western Odisha is rather partial, tainted and unprofessional. Intellectuals of Kalahandi unanimously rejected this emotional adjustment when Vice-Chancellor and senate members of Sambalpur University visited Bhawanipatna recently. A group of intellectuals in Boudh had also opposed such language blackmailing earlier.
Association of Sambalpuri with language received a popular boost in post independence period due to phenomenal success of folk inspired Rangabati song aired by All India Radio. Otherwise there was little evidence on Sambalpuri literature, though prior to formation of Odisha state very few selective individual in Sambalpur had penned their thoughts in local version of the language/dialect, whereas majority had approved mainstream Odia to counter influence of Hindi in this region.
Few sympathizers keep justifying Sambalpuri arguing many parts of Western Odisha were under Sambalpur kingdom; this is completely exaggerated. Kalahandi was never part of Sambalpur kingdom; Chauhans were indeed ruling many parts of Western Odisha in different kingdoms like Patna, Sonepur, Khariar etc. rather than under a single Sambalpur state. Patna was the origin of Chauhans till Balaram Deb established Sambalpur in 15th/16th century A.D. Sambalpuri can’t be termed as a language/dialect of whole Western Odisha in modern sense when its literature, grammar, etc. are confined to a particular pocket without considering variation in many of the districts. Sambalpuri is viewed as a separate language/dialect in many districts like Kalahandi, Nuapada etc.
Another group inspired by few desendents of Chauhans have been coining the term Koshali, which is as worst as Sambalpuri. Recent research conducted by archaeologist and excavator Dr. A. K. Sharma has been revealing interesting facts about Sirpur in Chhatisgarh, which was center of ancient South Koshal. Claiming Western Odisha as Koshal by excluding Chhatisgarh is a great blunder. Historians in national level unanimously believe that South Koshal was carved out from main Koshal belonging to present day’s Uttar Pradesh (UP). Since South Koshal was a colony of Koshal before it was divided, historically, they shared same language and culture, just like today’s Hindi and Chhatisgadi. Language experts did recognize Chhatsigadi was a dialect form of Hindi or Eastern Hindi. Not long time back Koshali was synonymous with “Eastern Hindi”. Experts believed Awadhi, Beghali and Chhatisgadi were three dialects of Koshali or Eastern Hindi.
As per Odisha’s relation with South Koshal, not all parts of Western Odisha were part of ancient South Koshal except Sambalpur region. Kalahandi has been linked with Atavika, Taitilaka Janapada, Mahakantara, Karunda Mandala etc. Modern historians have been proposing existence of smaller kingdoms around Kalahandi, Eastern Balangir (Kharligarh), Sonepur, Boudh, etc. in ancient time. In early medieval period, of course, South Koshal invaded and colonized these regions before all these regions fell into Trikalinga.
The ancient culture of majority of Western Odisha was tribal largely comprising Kondh, Ganda, Paraja, Bhatra, Munda etc. who have their own language like Parji, Kui, Bhatri, etc. since then, thus are not of Koshali or Koshal origin. Kalinga tribes, Utkali tribes, Atavika, etc. are historically acknowledged. Udiayya race was found in old Sanskrit text referring to people living in present days Odisha, but nothing like Koshal race or tribe was ever presented. Odia script was adopted from Kalinga script, which had a Dravidian origin. Most of the tribal languages spoken in Western Odisha such as Kui, Parji, etc. come from Dravidian group of languages, thus, indigenous of Western Odisha or Atavika could be better linked with Dravidian affiliated Kalinga tribes rather than Koshal originated in UP.
Chauhan kings to make their kingdoms independent of weak Eastern Gangas feudal systems further exploited Koshali term, which is reflected in folklore like Kosalanda-kabya. This confuses few in favor of Koshal despite the fact that it has little to do with the evolution process.
Unification of language and culture in Western Odisha happened during Eastern Gangas and Gajapati due to exchange of people among various kingdoms for administration, service and agriculture need, thus, giving the present day’s textures. Formation of Odisha state assisted it further, otherwise some part of Western Odisha culture/language was almost dissolving with Hindi in 1800s. Sambalpur region had to oppose Hindi then; similarly rest of the princely states in Western Odisha such as Patna, Boudh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, etc. approved Odia instead of Hindi/Koshali in their courtyards and schools during British time before merging with Odisha state in the post-independence period.
Koshal or Koshali neither justifies evolution and history of whole Western Odisha, nor to its indigenous language, nor to its indigenous race/people. It happens to be like referring "Red Indians" to indigenous Americans knowing that such notation is completely misplaced. At that time there was no notation existing to the American landmass, but present world is better understood. The historical impasse made to adopt Chhatisgarh notation instead of demand like Koshal/Mahakoshal state in the then Madhya Pradesh, similarly, eastern UP is slowly approving Awadhi or Eastern Hindi instead of earlier Koshal demand in 1960s.
Despite all the political, social, cultural, educational and language engagements in Western Odisha recently, it is a fact that common people in Western Odisha prefer Odia script. Few attempts to use Hindi script have been unsuccessful among the mass. The language experts, educational institutes like Sambalpur University, intellectuals, common people etc. should indulge in scholarly independent and rational debate without imposing emotion on other district.
Western Odisha is more close to mainstream Odia in terms of language and culture than any other neighboring states or even historical South Koshal descendent. When Eastern Hindi, South Sudan, East Timor etc. are popularly approved in modern days, then there should not be any hesitation to accept Western Odia as a language/dialect among masses. Fortunately, many mainstream Odia dailies, TV shows and magazines these days encourage Western Odia. Odia is a collaborator and never has been a rival for growth of Western Odia language/dialect.
No comments:
Post a Comment