Sambalpuri
Western Odia
ସମ୍ବଲପୁରୀ
'Sambalpuri' in Odia script
Native to	India
Region	Western Odisha
Native speakers	2.63 million (2011 census)[1]
Language family	Indo-European Indo-Iranian Indo-Aryan Eastern Odia Sambalpuri
Writing system	Odia[2][3][4]
Language codes
ISO 639-3	spv
Glottolog	samb1325  Sambalpuri west2384  Western Oriya

Sambalpuri is an Indo-Aryan language variety spoken in western Odisha, India. It is alternatively known as Western Odia, and as Kosali (with variants Kosli, Koshal and Koshali),^[5] a recently popularised but controversial term, which draws on an association with the ancient kingdom of Kosala, whose vast territories also included the present-day Sambalpur region.^[6][7]

Its speakers usually perceive it as a separate language, while outsiders have seen it as a dialect of Odia,^[8] and standard Odia is used by Sambalpuri speakers for formal communication.^[9] A 2006 survey of the varieties spoken in four villages found out that they share three-quarters of their basic vocabulary with Standard Odia.^[10].

Geographical Distribution

Core Sambalpuri variant spoken in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Subarnapur and Balangir districts. Also spoken in minor parts of Nuapada and western areas of Boudh districts.^[11][12]

Script

The Devanagari script was presumably used in the past as the undivided Sambalpur district was part of Central Provinces of British Raj from 1862 until 1905, after which it was merged with Orissa division of Bengal province after Partition of Bengal (1905). After the merger of the Sambalpur area with the then Orissa division of Bengal province in 1905, the Odia script become established, and it is currently the script most commonly used in literacy materials.^[13]

Phonology

Sambalpuri has 28 consonant phonemes, 2 semivowel phonemes and 5 vowel phonemes.^[14]

There are no long vowels in Sambalpuri just like Standard Odia.

Sambalpuri shows loss of retroflex consonants like retroflex unaspirated nasal(voiced retroflex nasal) ɳ (ଣ) and voiced retroflex lateral approximant [ɭ] (ଳ) which are present in Standard Odia.

Characteristics and Comparison

The following is a list of features and comparison with Standard Odia:^[15][16]

Some key features include-

• r-insertion Insertion at the end of Sambalpuri Verbs- Paragogue(addition of a sound at the end of the word).
• Word Medial Vowel Deletion- Syncope. But exceptions seen in -ai diphthongs.
• Vowel Harmony- o to u phoneme shift. This is also seen in Baleswari Odia dialect.
• Word Final Vowel Deletion(Schwa deletion)- Apocope.

Word Medial Vowel Deletion- Syncope

Excpetions to Word Medial Vowel Deletion- seen in '-ai' diphthongs

Vowel Harmony- 'o' to 'u' phoneme shift, feature also seen in Baleswari Odia dialect

Lengthening of Vowel Sound- vowels when appear in between consonants take their longer counterpart

Consonant shift- shift of 'ṇ' and 'ḷ' phonemes to 'n' and 'l'

Word Final Vowel Deletion(Schwa deletion Apocope)- a characteristic feature of Sambalpuri

Sambalpuri words

Language movement

There has been a language movement campaigning for the recognition of the language. Its main objective has been the inclusion of the language into the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution.^[17][18]

Literature

The first Sambalpuri writing appeared in the year 1891 in the weekly magazine 'Sambalpur Hiteisani' published from Debagarh.^[19] It was titled "Sambalpur Anchalar Praachin Kabitaa", written by"Madhusudan".^{[citation needed]} Then,

• Jatan- Bhulaaman Chautisaa (1900-10).
• Chaitan Das- Chadhei Chautisaa (1900-10).
• Baalaaji Meher- Gundiaa, Gaud Gaman, Kumbhaar Pasraa, Sunari Pasaraa (1910-20).
• Lakshman Pati- Aadi Bandanaa, Munush Baran, Maaejhi Baran, Bhuliaa Pasaraa, Kanrraa Pasaraa, Kharraa Pasaraa, Teli Pasaraa, Sabar leelaa (1910-20).
• Kapil Mahaapaatar- Gaunliaa Raamaayana (1925-30).^{[citation needed]}

In this way, between 1891 and 1947, a total of 35 poets wrote 64 poems only.^[20] The period up to 1891 A.D. can be termed as the dark age in the history of Sambalpuri literature. From 1891 to 1970 can be termed as the infant stage of Sambalpuri literature as very few Sambalpuri literature was produced during this period. Only after 1970 there was an awakening to develop the language. Satya Narayan Bohidar was the first man who not only created Sambalpuri literature but also encouraged others to write in Sambalpuri. He also proved in many literary forums that Sambalpuri is a separate language^{[citation needed]}. From 1970 onwards people of Western Orissa realized that Sambalpuri is a separate language^{[citation needed]} and literature can be produced in this language. More and more people engaged themselves in creating Sambalpuri literature. A brief account of the contribution of Samalpuri writers, whose contribution has enriched Samalpuri literature is given here. It is neither feasible nor desirable to give an exhaustive list of writers and books of Sambalpuri. Only those writers, whose work have boosted the development of Sambalpuri literature or enhanced the image of Sambalpuri literature is mentioned below.

• Satya Narayan Bohidar (1913–80)– His first poem 'Anubhuti' was published in 1931. He wrote 119 poems and one short Sambalpuri grammar book, 'Sankhipta Samalpuri Vyakaran'.^[21]
• Pundit Prayag Dutt Joshi (1913–96)- A well-known name in language and literature movement. He was the first serious scholar who attempted a linguistic study of the language. In fact, it was Joshi, who so emphatically announced that the language of the region was not Odia, but an independent language. Till his death he was not only producing seminal essays on uniqueness of Kosli Bhasa and literature but also promoted many amateur Kosli writers and poets. He was also among those who for the first time in 1986, submitted a memorandum to the President of India to include Kosli under Eighth Schedule. His small booklet Kosli Bhasar Samkhipta Parichay is considered as a sacred text by Kosli writers as well as leaders of the Kosal movement.
• Khageswar Seth– Paerchha Sati (1949).
• Indramani Sahu (1923–2006)– He wrote Jharmali (1953), Kosali Ramayan (1997)^{[citation needed]}
• Nil Madhab Panigrahi– A strong proponent of Sambalpuri, He gave up writing Odia for his love for mother tongue, Sambalpuri^{[citation needed]}. He founded, published and edited 'Nisan', a Sambalpuri literary magazine which popularized Sambalpuri and generated many Sambalpuri writers. He founded 'Nisan Sahitya Sansad' and undertook the work of publishing Sambalpuri books written by others. His famous work is 'Mahabharat Katha', the translation of Mahabharat in Sambalpuri.^[22] He co-authored "Samalpuri – Kosali Vyakaran" book with Prafulla Kumar Tripathy.
• Prafulla Kumar Tripathy– He compiled the book 'Samalpuri Oriya Shabdakosha' (1987), a Sambalpuri to Odia Dictionary. He is a celebrated figure in Oriya and Sambalpuri literature and grammar. He has also received Sahitya Academy Puraskar for his collection of Odia short stories, 'Nija Singhasana'. Settled in Bhubaneswar, he continues to work towards getting Sambalpuri an official status. He has also co-authored 'Samalpuri Oriya Vyakaran' book with Nil Madhab Panigrahi.
• Prem Ram Dubey– To popularize Sambalpuri, he published 'Hame Kosali Hamar Bhasa Kosali', a Sambalpuri literary magazine and 'Kosal Khabar' a news based magazine. He wrote many articles in these magazines^{[citation needed]}.
• Hema Chandra Acharya (1926–2009)– His works include 'Satar Sati Brundavati', 'Kathani Sat Satani', 'Ram Raha' (2001). Ram Raha is the Sambalpuri version of the Raamayana. He has also written a novel 'Nuni'. He is popular among the masses as the 'Kosal Balmiki' for his Ram Raha^{[citation needed]}.
• Mangalu Charan Biswal (1935-) – He wrote many Sambalpuri plays, among which 'Bhukha' is famous, as it was filmed and earned many awards.^[23]
• Haldhar Nag (1950-)– He is a God's gift to Sambalpuri.^[24] He has written many Sambalpuri poems, such as 'Mahasati Urmila', 'Achhia', etc. His works has been compiled into 'Lokakabi Haladhar Granthabali'^[25] and "Surata". He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016.^[26]
• Binod Pasayat- 'Kayan Baetha' (1973).
• Dolgobind Bisi– He published a Sambalpuri literary magazine 'Kosalshree' and wrote 'Kosali Bhasha Sundari' (1984). He published the 'Kosali Ramayan' written by Sri Indramani Sahu.
• Nimai Charan Panigrahi– He has written many books including 'Bhugale Bakhani', 'Kham Khamalo' etc. His articles 'Kosali Sabad Jharan', published in 'Bharni', in Kosali literary magazine was very famous.
• Chinmaya Kumar Pujar([1]କୁମାର ଚିନ୍ମୟ )^[27](1963 -2013)- He has been the editor and publisher for Kosali book called " kathani ( କଥାନି )" and has written a number of stories in Sambalpuri, most famous being rampat (ରାମପାଟ)^[28].
• Harekrishna Meher- He has translated the Meghaduta of Kalidas to 'Sambalpuri Meghaduta'.^[29]
• Surama Mishra- She has written a children book 'Titi Tian'.^[30] The book is popular among the children of western Odisha.
• Pradyumna Bisi- 'Jharjhari' a Sambalpuri kaabya in which the poet represent a woman as a brook & brook also as women, their way of living are same. The book published in 2014.
• Pragnya Patnaik- She has written 'Ranga – Sambalpuri Kathani' which is a collection of contemporary short stories in Sambalpuri. Hailed by critics as first of its kind in the language, the book is regarded as a gem with high literary merit. Her stories have unfailingly struck a chord among the readers.^{[citation needed]}

Magazines

Below is a list of magazines published in the Sambalpuri:

• Jugar
• Kahar
• Mahak
• Sambalpur darshan
• Hakua- Bolangir- Editor- Himanshu Padhi
• Kosal Pradesh, Sonepur, Editor: Gorekhnath Sahu.
• Beni, Bargarh,Editor: Saket Sahu.
• Suna Bahen, Jagatsinghpur, Editor: Bijay Kr. Mohapatra.
• Srijana Salita Nabaneeta, Balangir, Editor: Rajesh Jhankar.
• The Kadho, Balangir, Editor: Kshirodra Kumar Sahu.
• Koshal Ratna :- Prayagdatta Joshi(RajKhariar)^{[citation needed]}