Raghunath Murmu


Raghunath Murmu was the inventor of the Ol Chiki script used in Santali language.
As well as books of his songs and plays, Murmu also wrote school text books in the Ol Chiki script.

Early life

Raghunath Murmu was born in Dandbus village 6.4 km from Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj, Odisha State on 5 May 1905. His father, Nandlal Murmu, was village head and his paternal uncle was Munsi in the court of King Pratap Chandra Bhanjdeo. In 1912, he started his education at Gambharia Primary School, 3km from his village. He once asked himself a question— why we not reading writing in our own language? In 1914, he was admitted to Bahalda Primary School, 7km from his village. In high school at Baripada, he wanted to go Kapi Buru for secret research. In 1925, he created the Ol Chiki script at Kapi Buru.
He passed 10th exam in 1928 from Patna University and married Nuha Baskey. Then he started job at Baripada Power House as an apprentice. After completing his apprenticeship, he went to Kolkata for Technical Education. After completing his education, he enrolled at Baripada College as a teacher and he also joined Badamtalia Primary School.
The first printed ol-chiki book was a script worth seeing Bindu Chandan, Kherwarbir, Hital, Sidu Kanhu Hool. 1st Weekly Magazine was “Sagen Sakam”. In 1942, Swadeshi Andolon Pandit Raghunath Murmu campaign about ol-chiki script. On 22 December 2003, Santal language secured a place in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution. Guru Gomke passed away on 2 February 1982.
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Honours

Murmu was honoured by Mayurbhanj State Adivasi Mahasabha with the title "Guru Gomke".
Every year full moon day on the month of May which is popularly called as "Guru Kunami", "Guru Purnima" and "Basant Kunami" is being observed as an "optional holiday" as birthday of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Declared by the Odisha C.M. in 2016. Pandit Raghunath Murmu was honoured by Mayurbhanj State Adivasi Mahasabha with the title "Guru Gomke".
as birthday of Pt. Raghunath Murmu by the Odisha and the state culture department was directed to celebrate the day annually, in honour of his creation of the Ol Chiki script.