Sari Dharam Hansda
Sari Dharam Hansda (born as Basudev Hansda) is an Indian Santali-language poet and writer from Jhargram district, West Bengal. He is known for his contribution to Santali poetry and for receiving the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar in 2013 for his poetry collection Dombe Baha.
His poems have also been included in Santali language textbooks used at the primary and secondary school levels in West Bengal.
Early life
Sari Dharam Hansda was born as Basudev Hansda in the Jhargram region of present-day West Bengal, India. He grew up in a family of daily wage labourers and experienced significant poverty during his childhood. Despite these circumstances, he developed a strong interest in poetry at an early age.
His father often sang traditional songs after work, which influenced his interest in rhythm and verse. Inspired by Santali literary figures such as Sadhu Ramchand Murmu, Hansda began composing poems while still a student.
Literary career
Hansda's first poem, titled Mujibor, was published in the government periodical Pachim Bangla in 1971 when he was still a school student. Over the following decades he became a recognised poet in Santali literature.
Initially writing in the Bengali script, he later began composing works in the Ol Chiki script, which is widely used for Santali literature.
His poetry often focuses on the struggles, experiences, and cultural life of marginalized and oppressed communities.
Works
Some of his known works include:
Awards and recognition
- Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar (2013) for Dombe Baha.
- Kabi Saradaprasad Kisku Memorial Award from the Paschim Banga Santali Academy (2017).
Legacy
Hansda is regarded as one of the notable Santali poets from the Jhargram region. His poems are included in Santali language curricula at various school levels in West Bengal.
See also
- Santali literature
- Ol Chiki script
- List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Santali
- List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Santali