The history of the Santali language and its unique script, Ol Chiki, is often told through the remarkable life of Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the visionary who created the script in the 1920s. However, behind this towering figure stood dedicated disciples who played a crucial role in spreading his revolutionary work. One such key figure was Aparna Murmu, whose tireless efforts alongside Pandit Murmu helped the Ol Chiki script gain recognition across the tribal belt of eastern India.
As a devoted disciple, Aparna Murmu stood shoulder to shoulder with Guru Gomke during the formative years of the Ol Chiki movement. While Raghunath Murmu devised the script and authored plays and literature to popularize it, Aparna took on the essential mission of spreading this knowledge to the masses. Traveling from village to village, often through challenging terrains, she helped conduct literacy campaigns, organized community gatherings, and taught the script to countless Santali speakers.
Her collaboration with Pandit Murmu was not limited to teaching. Aparna Murmu was instrumental in advertising and promoting the Ol Chiki script at a time when it faced resistance from colonial authorities and competing linguistic forces. Through handwritten pamphlets, public readings, and cultural programs, she helped kindle a sense of identity and pride among the Santali people. Her persuasive communication and organizational skills ensured that the movement grew beyond its initial circles to become a widespread cultural awakening.
Despite the crucial role she played, Aparna Murmu’s contributions often remain in the shadows of history. However, among Santali cultural circles, her name is remembered with deep respect as one of the earliest champions of indigenous literacy and empowerment. Her life’s work contributed directly to the recognition of Ol Chiki as the official script of the Santali language, which today holds the status of an officially recognized language in India’s Eighth Schedule.
The legacy of Aparna Murmu serves as a reminder that transformative movements are often built not just by singular visionaries, but also by the collective strength of devoted followers who carry the torch forward. As efforts continue to preserve and promote Santali literature and culture, her story inspires new generations to value and uphold their linguistic heritage.
