Ol Chiki Script Centenary: 100 Years of Santhali’s Script
Why in the news
The Ministry of Culture began celebrations for 100 years of the Ol Chiki script on 16 February 2026 in New Delhi. The script is used to write Santhali.
Key facts
- Centenary period: 1925-2025; inauguration on 16 February 2026, New Delhi.
- Organiser: Ministry of Culture.
- Ol Chiki is the official script of Santhali, a major tribal language of India.
- Creator: Pandit Raghunath Murmu, in 1925.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Language served | Santhali |
| Year created | 1925 |
| Creator | Pandit Raghunath Murmu |
| Early literary work | High Serena (1936) |
| Title of respect | Guru Gomke (Great Teacher) |
About Ol Chiki
- A scientifically designed script made to capture the unique phonetics of Santhali.
- Original, not borrowed from Roman, Bengali, Odia or Devanagari.
- Aim: give Santhali speakers a distinct written identity.
- Santhals revere Murmu as Guru Gomke.
Exam angle
- Script of Santhali: Ol Chiki; inventor: Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
- Year of origin: 1925.