Kurmali language


Kurmali is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in eastern India. Kurmali is generally linked to the Kudumi Mahato community of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Kurmali is also spoken by the Kudumi people of Assam, and was brought to the tea gardens from Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal. Intellectuals claim that Kurmali may be the nearest form of language used in Charyapada. As a trade dialect, it is known as Panchpargania, for the "five districts" of the region it covers, or Tamaria. Kurmali is a traditional language of Kurmi community.

Geographical Distribution

Kurmali language is spoken in south-east Jharkhand in Seraikela Kharswan, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Ranchi districts; north-eastern Odisha in Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar, Jajpur and Sundargarh district; and in western West Bengal in Purulia, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts.

Alternate names

Names for the language include Bedia, Dharua, Khotta, Pan Sawasi, Tanti, Tair, and Chik Baraik.

Kurumali sub dialect of Mayurbhanja state

Kurumali sub dialect of Mayurbhanja state agrees very closely with the Kurmali Thar of Manbhum.

Trade language

Panchpargania is the common language for communication for Bundu, Tamar, Silli, Sonahatu, Arki & Angara blocks of Ranchi district of Jharkhand state.