KISS-DU and Sahitya Akademi Jointly Organize Symposium on “Impact of Urbanisation on Santali Literature”

The Department of Santali, School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures, KISS-DU and the Sahitya Akademi jointly organized a symposium on “Impact of Urbanization on Santali Literature on 21^st July 2025 at the KISS Deemed to be University premises. The inaugural session commenced with the garlanding of statues of tribal leaders and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by dignitaries. Students of KISS Deemed to be University welcomed the guests with a rendition of a traditional Santali song.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Mr. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi and the Introductory Speech was delivered by Professor Debashis Bandyopadhyay, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University. Mr. Chaitanya Prasad Majhi, Convener, Santali Advisory Board graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour and the Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Naku Hansdah. Dr. Chittaranjan Bhoi, Dean, School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures proposed the Vote of Thanks. Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU, Chairperson Mr. Madhav Kaushik Chairperson, faculty members and students from the Santali Department attended the event, among others.

The symposium organized by the Sahitya Akademi featured multiple technical sessions that focused on the impact of urbanization on Santali literature and culture. The first technical session, chaired by Mr. Kadey Soren, included presentations by Dr. Fatik Murmu of Bankura University, who discussed how urbanization is progressively influencing the Santali language and literature—an insight that was well-received by attendees. Dr. Ramu Hembram from Visva-Bharati University explored how industrial development and urban expansion have forced Santal communities to migrate back to rural areas, disrupting their cultural continuity and posing a serious threat to the vitality of Santali literature. He stressed the importance of preserving ancestral lands and warned that if current trends continue, Santal identity could become relegated to museum exhibits. He also noted that many Santali words, now absorbed by speakers of other languages, may disappear if not preserved through literature. Dr. Sunaram Soren of KISS Deemed to be University further emphasized Santali’s role as a lexical contributor to regional languages.

The second technical session, chaired by Dr. Dhaneshwar Manjhi of Visva-Bharati University, featured Dr. Anjan Karmakar, Mr. Durga Soren, Ms. Kemiliya Murmu, and Ms. Salge Kisku, who examined the effects of urbanization on various literary forms such as Santali songs, stories, drama, poetry, and novels. In the third session, chaired by Dr. Ramu Hembram, Ph.D. scholars from KISS Deemed to be University—Mr. Siram Tudu, Mr. Dukhu Marndi, Mr. Madan Hembram, Ms. Anupama Hansda, and Ms. Minati Marndi—presented their individual research contributions.

The event concluded with remarks by Mr. C.P. Manjhi, Convenor of the Sahitya Akademi, who commended the symposium’s success, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Dhanu Murmu, who expressed appreciation to all participants and contributors.