Literature of Lang II — Folk Songs, Oral Traditions and Major Writers

Overview

Literature of Language II forms a crucial component of JTET Paper I and II, testing candidates on the rich literary heritage of Jharkhand's tribal and regional languages. This topic covers the oral and written traditions of languages like Santhali, Mundari, Ho, Kharia, Kurukh, Khortha, Nagpuri, Panchpargania, Bengali, Odia, Urdu, and English.

For JTET aspirants, this section carries direct questions on folk songs, oral literature forms, and contributions of major writers. Understanding this topic is essential because Jharkhand's identity is deeply rooted in its tribal literary traditions — the state's formation itself was shaped by cultural movements expressed through these literatures. Examiners often test recognition of literary forms, matching authors with works, and understanding the cultural significance of oral traditions.

Mastery requires knowing the distinctive features of your chosen Lang II's literature, key writers and their seminal works, and the social functions of folk literature in tribal communities.

Key Concepts

• **Oral tradition as primary literature**: Most tribal languages of Jharkhand preserved knowledge, history, and values through oral transmission for centuries before written scripts were developed or adopted. This oral corpus is considered authentic literature.

• **Folk songs serve multiple functions**: They are not mere entertainment — they mark agricultural seasons, accompany rituals, preserve community history, express collective emotions during festivals, and transmit moral values across generations.

• **Distinction between folk and classical literature**: Folk literature is community-authored, anonymous, and transmitted orally; modern written literature has identifiable authors and fixed texts.

• **Script development as literary milestone**: The creation of Ol Chiki script for Santhali (by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925) and adoption of Devanagari for other tribal languages enabled written literary traditions.

• **Themes in tribal literature**: Nature worship, animism, community bonds, agricultural life, resistance against exploitation, and celebration of tribal identity dominate both oral and written forms.

• **Regional languages reflect local ethos**: Khortha, Nagpuri, and Panchpargania literatures capture the life of non-tribal rural Jharkhand, with distinct vocabulary and imagery rooted in Chota Nagpur plateau life.

• **Contemporary tribal writing addresses modern concerns**: Post-independence writers address displacement, identity crisis, education, and preservation of culture alongside traditional themes.