Sambalpuri or Kosli (ସମ୍ବଲପୁରୀ ଭାଷା) (सम्बलपुरी / कोसली भाषा) is an Indo-Aryan language. It is mainly spoken in Western Orissa and north central part of Orissa. It was considered to be a dialect of Oriya language, but owing to its distinct grammar, pronunciations and vocabulary, it has achieved the status of a distinct language.[1] In the modern context, Sambalpuri language is also known as "Kosli language".[2]
There are numerous words and certain sounds which cannot be rendered in any form of Oriya. There has been a movement to declare Sambalpuri as a formal language due to its features which makes it distinct from Oriya and its conformation to norms that define a language as a formal one. There are many words in Sambalpuri language which are not found in Oriya , thus making it incomprehensible for those Oriyas who don't know Samalpuri. Grammar of Samalpuri language is also quite different from Oriya. Moreover, of late, rich literary works (Books, Magazines, Journals etc.)[3][4][5] have been published in Samalpuri language. Samalpuri language is a separate language, quite distinct from Oriya. Due to its sweetness in pronunciation of Samalpuri words, Samalpuri songs (Rangabati etc.) are famous throughout Orissa and parts of Chhatisgarh.
Contents |
Kosli language descended from Ardha Magadhi Prakrit. Ardha Magadhi Prakrit eventually gave rise to Ardha Magadhi Apabhramsa. This Apabhramsa again evolved into Purbi Hindi (Eastern Hindi), which in turn formed the languages of Awadhi, Bagheli, Chhattisgarhi and Kosli. Thus Kosli has evolved from the Southern form of Ardha Magadhi Apabhramsa. Purbi Hindi has got the characteristics of both Purbi Sourseni and Ardha Magadhi, as it evolved from Ardha Magadhi Prakrit.[6]
Kosli language is spoken in Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Nuapada and Jharsuguda districts of Orissa state by a population totalling around 9,001,406 as of 2001. This language is the mother tongue of a sizable population of Raipur, Mahasamund and Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh state. Nearly half million Kosli speakers reside in Chhattisgarh who are officially recognized as Oriya speaking people.
Presently, Sambalpuri language is considered as a dialect of Oriya. There is a growing demand in Western Orissa, to include Kosli language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India. In the Census of India- 2001, it is shown as a mother tongue grouped under Oriya language. There are several Radio and T.V. programmes in Sambalpuri. All India Radio broadcasts Sambalpuri songs and agricultural programmes from Sambalpur station in this language. Doordarshan(Oriya) telecasts certain programmes in this language. Sambalpur university offers Diploma course in Sambalpuri studies.[1].
Kosal Discussion and Development Forum (KDDF), an organization working for the development of Koshali speaking region has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.[7] The memorandum stated that recently the Union government passed the 93rd Constitutional Amendment that enabled the inclusion of four languages viz. Bodo, Dogri, Santhali, and Maithili in the 8th Schedule. "We the people of Western Odisha were hoping that Kosli be included as well because our situation is identical to that of Maithili".[8]
Sambalpuri language has no separate script. Most of the printed material available are written in Oriya script. Some books,[9][10] articles in Newspaper,[11] magazines[12][13] are printed in Devanagari script also. All those, who advocate complete separation from Oriya language, prefer to write in Devanagari script, which is gradually gaining popularity. Moreover, Sambalpuri speakers in Chhattisgarh can read and write Sambalpuri in Devanagari script. Even non-sambalpuri speakers, who knows Devanagari script, can read and get an idea of Sambalpuri literature and sweetness of its songs. There are some writings in Roman script also.[14] While sending S.M.S. through Mobile Phone and writing in Websites of Internet, generally Roman script is used for Sambalpuri language.
Sambalpuri language has a very rich and vast vocabulary. One can get an idea of this from the book "Samalpuri Odia Shabdakosha".[15] This book is a compilation of pure Samalpuri words spread over 430 pages with their meaning in Oriya language. Tatsama, tatbhava words of Sanskrit, words of Hindi and Urdu, words of foreign languages like Arabic, Parsi, English etc., which are used in Samalpuri speech and those words which are found both in Sambalpuri and Oriya are not mentioned in this book. Some more Samalpuri words still exist, which might not have come to the notice of Dr. Tripathy at the time of compilation.
Like the languages of north India and Central India, such as Braj, Bundeli, Awadhi, Bagheli, Maithili, Magahi, Bhojpuri, Nagpuri (Sadri), Chhattisgarhi etc., no written literature was developed in Sambalpuri language till the late nineteenth century. Thus Sambalpuri language remained neglected and was considered a dialect of Oriya. Ancient stone inscriptions, writing on copper plates, palm leaves are not available in this language. The first writing in this language appeared in the year 1891 in the weekly magazine "Sambalpur Hiteisani" published from "Deogarh".[16] It was titled "Sambalpur Anchalar Praachin Kabitaa", written by"Madhusudan".Following is an excerpt from the poem:
"kaha go dUtI muin kenta karsin go
nandapua kAnhAke dekhle badA kAbA lAgsi go"
"disu thisi kaliA TarTar
pindhi thisi haldiA jarjar
dhob farfarTe jAnbArirTe beke ulei hesi go"
Then,
2 – "Jatan" wrote "Bhulaaman Chautisaa" between 1900 and 1910.
3 – "Chaitan Das" wrote "Chadhei Chautisaa" between 1900 and 1910.
4 – "Baalaaji Meher" wrote between 1910 and 1920 –
I- "Gundiaa",
II- "Gaud Gaman",
III- "Kumbhaar Pasraa",
IV- "Sunari Pasaraa".
5 – "Lakshman Pati" wrote between 1915 and 1925 -
I- Aadi Bandanaa,
II- Munush Baran,
III- Maaejhi Baran,
IV- Bhuliaa Pasaraa,
V- Kanrraa Pasaraa,
VI- Kharraa Pasaraa,
VII- Teli Pasaraa,
VIII- Sabar leelaa.
6-"Kapil Mahaapaatar" wrote "Gaunliaa Raamaayana" between 1925 and 1930.
In this way, between 1891 and 1947, a total of 35 poets wrote 64 poems only.[17] The period up to 1891 A.D. can be termed as the dark age in the history of Sambalpuri literature. From 1891 to 1970 can be termed as the infant stage of Sambalpuri literature as very few Sambalpuri literature was produced during this period. Up until 1970, it was successfully planted in the minds of people of Western Orissa by the people of Coastal Orissa, that "Sambalpuri is a distorted and corrupt version of Oriya",[18] therefore, literature should be created in standard Oriya only and not in Samalpuri. Many, including Bhima Bhoi and Gangadhar Meher, were victim of such false propaganda and therefore, dedicated themselves to the creation of Oriya literature, thereby keeping their mother tongue, Samalpuri, abandoned in a dark corner. Only after 1970 there was an awakening and people realized that their mother tongue is Sambalpuri and not Oriya. Satya Narayan Bohidar was the first man who not only created Sambalpuri literature but also encouraged others to write in Sambalpuri. He also proved in many literary forums that Sambalpuri is a separate language. From 1970 onwards people of Western Orissa realized that Sambalpuri is a separate language and literature can be produced in this language. More and more people engaged themselves in creating Sambalpuri literature. A brief account of the contribution of Samalpuri writers, whose contribution has enriched Samalpuri literature is given here. It is neither feasible nor desirable to give an exhaustive list of writers and books of Sambalpuri language. Only those writers, whose work have boosted the development of Sambalpuri literature or enhanced the image of Sambalpuri literature is mentioned below.
1 – Satya Narayan Bohidar (1913–1980) – His first poem “Anubhuti” was published in 1931. He wrote 119 poems and one short Sambalpuri Grammer book, named " Sankhipta Samalpuri Vyakaran ".[19]
2 – Khageswar Seth – He wrote "Paerchha Sati" (1949).
3 – Indramani Sahu (1923–2006) – He wrote “Jharmali” (1953), " Kosali Ramayan " (1997)
4 – Dr. Nil Madhab Panigrahi – A strong proponent of Sambalpuri language, He gave up writing Oriya for his love for mother tongue, Sambalpuri. He founded, published and edited “Nisan”, a Sambalpuri literary magazine which popularized Sambalpuri language and generated many Sambalpuri writers. He founded “Nisan Sahitya Sansad” and undertook the work of publishing Sambalpuri books written by others. His famous work is “Mahabharat Katha”, the translation of Mahabharat in Sambalpuri.[20] He co-authored "Samalpuri – Kosali Vyakaran" book with Dr. Prafulla Kumar Tripathy.
5 – Dr. Prafulla Kumar Tripathy – He compiled the book “Samalpuri Odia Shabdakosha” (1987), a Sambalpuri to Oriya Dictionary. He is a celebrated figure in Oriya and Sambalpuri literature and grammar. He has also received Sahitya Academy Puraskar for his collection of Oriya short stories, "Nija Singhasana". Settled in Bhubaneswar, he continues to work towards getting Sambalpuri language an official status. He has also co-authored "Samalpuri – Kosali Vyakaran" book with Dr. Nil Madhab Panigrahi.
6 – Prem Ram Dubey – To popularize Sambalpuri language, he published “Hame Kosali Hamar Bhasa Kosali”, a Sambalpuri literary magazine, and “Kosal Khabar” a news based magazine. He wrote many articles in these magazines.
7 – Hema Chandra Acharya (Born 20.4.1926 – Died 26.8.2009) – His works include “Satar Sati Brundavati”, "Kathani Sat Satani", “Ram Raha” (2001). Ram Raha is the Sambalpuri version of the Raamayana. He has also written a novel "Nuni". He is popular among the masses as the 'Kosal Balmiki' for his Ram Raha.
8 – Mangalu Charan Biswal (Born 4.5.1935) – He wrote many Sambalpuri plays, among which “Bhukha” is famous, as it was filmed and earned many awards.[21]
9 – Haldhar Nag (Born 31.3.1950) – He is a God’s gift to Kosli language.[22] He has written many Kosli poems, such as “Mahasati Urmila”, “Achhia”, etc. His works has been compiled into “Lokakabi Haladhar Granthabali”[23] and “Surata”.
10 – Binod Pasayat – He wrote “Kayan Baetha” (1973).
11 – Dr. Dolgobind Bisi – He published a Kosali literary magazine “Kosalshree” and wrote “Kosali Bhasha Sundari”(1984). He published the “Kosali Ramayan” written by Sri Indramani Sahu.
12 - Dr. Santosh Kumar Rath - A leading linguist working on Kosli Language, Literature and Culture since 1987. His book titled "Asweekruta Parampara(2007)", consisting of 15 essays on Kosli language and culture has been widely appreciated amongst the public and academia. He has also edited the modern Kosli poem collection "Antra" in the year 1995.
13 – Nimai Charan Panigrahi – He has written many books including “Bhugale Bakhani”, “Kham Khamalo”, etc. His articles “Kosali Sabad Jharan”, published in “Bharni”, in Kosali literary magazine was very famous.
After the year 2000, many writers of Kosal, have given up producing Oriya literature and devoted their time and talent in creating Ksali literature like Dr. Nil Madhab Panigrahi. Presently, Kosli speaking areas are a part of Orissa state, therefore, Kosli Language is neglected.Recently, print and electonic edition of a Kosli magazine the Beni was released and gaining popularity.[25]