Memorandum for Inclusion of Kosli Language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution

www.jaikosal.com requests all the people of KOSAL to whole-heatedly support this move .....

Koshal Discussion And Development Forum (KDDF) have created an online memorandum for the Inclusion of Kosli Language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Here is the link...Click the below link and show your support to save our language by posting a comment (signature)..

:http://www.petitiononline.com/KDDFKL/petition.html

To

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Honourable Prime Minister of India

cc

Smt. Partibha Patil, Honourable President of India

Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Honourable UPA Chairperson

Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Honourable Leader of Opposition

Mr. P. Chidambaram, Honourable Union Minister of Home Affairs

Mr. Kapil Sibal, Honourable Union Minister of Human Resource Development

Shri Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, Honourable Governor of Odisha

Mr. Naveen Patnaik, Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha

Honorable Members of Parliament from Odisha

Esteemed Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Singh,

In the past few years the central govt. has included different Indian languages in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution by the recommendation of various committees. It shows prudence on the part of Indian government in being flexible in recognizing the complexity of linguistic diversity in India. In 2003, the 93rd Constitutional Amendment was passed which enabled the government to have a fresh look at the possibility of inclusion of other Indian languages in the 8th schedule. Consequently, four languages, viz. Bodo, Dogri, Santhali and Maithili were judged to be included in the 8th schedule. We the people of Western Odisha were hoping that Kosli be included as well because our situation is identical to that of Maithili as it is explained in the following sections of this memo. Therefore, we humbly request you to examine our request by the same yardstick used to include the four recent languages in the 8^th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

It is said that the right of a mother tongue is a basic cultural right of the people which link them with their economy, socio-cultural system and political right. UNESCO has recognized that the concept of language equality among all languages is important irrespective of whether the languages have a script or not. Furthermore, the Indian government is promoting the mother tongue based multilingual education to reduce the school drop-out rates and to enhance communication using a mother tongue.¹ This is a good and praiseworthy initiative taken by the Indian government. In this regard, the Kosli language (also called Kosli-Sambalpuri, Sambalpuri) is the mother tongue of ten districts of western Orissa (Kosal region) viz. Balangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Sundargarh, and Athmallik subdivision.² In addition, a large population of Raipur, Mahasamund and Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh state also uses Kosli language as their mother tongue.²

The Kosli language and literature is vast as it is blessed with a group of dedicated writers. A large number of books are published regularly and available in the Kosli language. Epics like “Ramayana”, “Mahabharat” and “Meghduta” are translated into Kosli language.² Kosli language has a rich literature in different areas viz. Architecture, Astrology, Mantra-Tantra-Yantra science, Medicine, Yoga, Music, Arts, Dance, Drama, Yoga, Philosophy, and Grammar.

Kosli dramas, songs, and dances are popular across the world. Kosli dramas are highly acclaimed and regularly staged at various places of India. For instance, a recent Kosli language play “Maau” is aiming to enter the Limca record book by becoming the biggest ever stage show of its kind in the world.² In addition, the Kosli language cinema is attracting world wide attention. “Bukha (Hunger)” a Kosli language movie has won the Indian national award, an international jury award at the Gijón International Film Festival, Spain and was selected for World Rural Film Festival, Aurrilac, France.² The All India Radio (viz. Sambalpur, Balangir, and Bhawanipatna) and television channels (viz. Nxatra news and OTV) are broadcasting their news and entertainment programs in Kosli language.

More than five registered newspapers and seventy magazines are available in Kosli language.² Unfortunately Kosli language has no political and official support although there was a discussion in the Indian parliament to include Kosli language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian constitution.³ Recently the Orissa govt. has recommended the Ho language for its inclusion in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution.⁴ This is a welcome step. Along this line, we sincerely hope that the Orissa govt. will recommend Kosli language for the inclusion in the 8th Schedule of the Indian constitution.

For the people of western Orissa it is not just a language but a way of life that propel progresses and harmony in the region. The inclusion of Kosli language in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution will have following positive impacts on the people of western Orissa:

• Kosli language as a mother tongue and medium of instruction:

Western Orissa area contains 40 to 50 % of the state’s population. The key to development of western Odisha is the Kosli language. Drop out rate in schools particularly in rural and Adivashi area can be ascribed to, among other variables, teaching in Odia language which is not used in day to day communication. It is as if learning through an alien language. Kosli is the dominant means of communication through out western Odisha. Though we have several tribal languages, all tribals have functional capability in Kosli not Odia. That is the main reason why KBK has been found literacy rate is so low. We also have large population of scheduled caste in the area who are similarly impacted. It has caused various problems viz. i) the overall marks of students from western Orissa are lower than the students of coastal Orissa and ii) many bright students of western Orissa fail again and again in both 10^th and 10+2 examinations because of their poor knowledge in Odia language. Recognition of Kosli language will facilitate education among the kids of western Orissa in their mother tongue and solve the above mentioned problems.

• Freedom of expression in legislative and social sphere:

In spite of aggressive Odianisation, population of western Orissa has retained Kosli language for day to day communication. In large population centers where people of other states, especially from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat and other North Indian area have come to work, they have opted Kosli instead of Odia because the accent of Kosli follows North Indian pattern. And when poor Koslis go out of their area to seek employment they choose to go to other Hindi speaking area such as Chhattisgarh, U.P, Bihar and Jharkhand instead of Odia speaking area in Odisha. All Kosli can be easily identified by their accent when they try to speak Odia. Elected representatives from western Orissa can not engage in debates in the State Assembly because of their poor knowledge in Odia language. Recognition of this language will facilitate communication in thelegislative and social sphere.

• Research and development:

Dictionaries, grammar books, plays, novels, anthology of poems, granthavalis of major poets, Kosli panjikas, several books on history of Kosal (western Orissa), and biographies on Kosli heroes are already available without any financial help from the government. Recognition of Kosli language will avail grants directly from the central government. This will facilitate the research and future development of Kosli language.

• Ease of governance:

Currently, notices are given in the villages of western Odisha in Odia; not very literates do not understand the full implications of these notices. Civil servants from other areas who do not even have rudimentary knowledge of Kosli language can not communicate with citizens, thus resulting in miscommunication. In fact, Orissa is among the minority of states which claims to have only one language. Out of 28 states, 15 have more than one official language. Out of 7 union territories, 6 have more than one recognized language. In a democracy, freedom of expression is a fundamental right of the citizen. Good governance requires efficient communication between the citizens and the government. In this context, inclusion of the Kosli language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian constitution will facilitate governance in western Orissa.

• Kosli as a distinct language and its socio-cultural impact:

The linguistic characteristics of Kosli language are markedly different. Kosli language is a direct derivative of Sanskrit.⁵ Odia scholars have accepted it as a dialect of Odia language and Odia language as a member of Eastern Magadhi group of Indo-Aryan family. But genealogical analysis shows two different sources of origin of the two languages, that is, Odia and Kosli language. Odia is originated from the Magadhi Prakrit; whereas, Kosli language is originated from Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit.⁴ So there is remarkable difference between the two in the sphere of phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax.⁵ The researchers at the Sambalpur University, Odisha have shown that the Kosli is a distinct and old language.⁶

Kosli language is intimately connected to the distinct culture and heritage of western Odisha, quite distinct from Odia culture. The unique folk songs and dances blends neatly with rhythm and punctuation of Kosli language. Inclusion of Kosli language in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution will promote the culture and heritage of western Orissa.

Keeping the above mentioned points into consideration we request you to recommend the inclusion of Kosli language in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Thanking you with best regards,

People of western Odisha and members of the Kosal Discussion and Development Forum (KDDF)

Acknowledgment: We thank the members of KDDF and other e-forums for suggestions. We are grateful to the people of western Odisha for constant support and encouragement.

References:

1.http://kddfonline.com/2011/07/31/mother-tongue-based-multilingual-education-kosli-language-as-a-medium-of-instruction-in-the-schools-of-western-odisha/

2. http://kddfonline.com/category/kosli-language-and-literature/

3. http://kddfonline.com/2009/10/23/parliament-debates-on-koshali-language/

4. http://www.orissasambad.com/news_article.php?id=60961

5. Kosli Bhasa Ra Sankhipta Parichay, Kosal Ratna Prayagdutta Joshi, pp 6, 7, 16, 17, Ed. Dr. Dolagobinda Bishi, 1991.

6. Peculiarities of Sambalpuri Language in Its Morphology; Dr. Ashok Kumar Dash, Surta, pp 35-38, Ed. Saket Sreebhushan Sahu, 2009.

Click here to download the Kosli language memorandum.

Submitted & Approved by

Members of Kosal Discussion and Development Forum (KDDF) & well wishers

Drafted by

Dr. Sanjib K Karmee

Department of Biotechnology

Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

E-mail:S.K.Karmee@tudelft.nl

Dr. Arjun Purohit

Canada

E-mail: apurohit1934@gmail.com

Mr. Saket Sahu

Editor, BENI, Bargarh, Odisha

E-mail: saket.sahu@gmail.com

LIST OF KOSLI "SAMBALPURI" MAGAZINE PUBLISHED TILL DATE

Compiled & Contributed By Mr. SAPAN MISHRA

Kosli "Sambalpuri" Bhaasha thi Bahaari thila aar Baaharu thilaa Patra/Patrikaa(S.P. here stands for Stopped Publication & Others are being Published) -

This List is First Time in the Internet ....

(Alphabetically, Not Chronologically)

1.Art & Artist-S.P.-Prahallad Dash,Sakhipada,Sambalpur,

2.Agnisikha, thi Darpan-S.P.-Arjun Ranjan Panda,

3.Anushilan-S.P.-Bajendra Ku Panda,Gobindtula,SBPur

4.Amrut-S.P.-Jayakrushna Seth,Abankela,Sundargarh,

5.Angra-S.P.-Sanjay Mishra,Balangir,

6.Ukia,S.P.-Gurubaru Senduria,Burla(?)

7.Udlabel,S.P.-Sudhir Ch Meher,Kadobahal,Sambalpur,

8.Udianbel,S.P.-Santost Ku Sahu,Pahandi,Bargarh,

9.Kadho-S.P.-Khirod Ku Sahu,Deulgaon,Balangir,

10.Kahar,S.P.-Ranjan Ku Panda,DashMile,Sohela,Bargarh,

11.Kanhar,S.P.-Ashok Ku Meher,R.B.S.Padampur,Bargarh,

12.Kayenshphul,S.P.-Bharat Dharua,Pudapadar,Aagalpur,Balangir,

13.Kusali Chetna,S.P.-Debanand Hota,Mannpur,Bargarh,

14.KoshalShree-S.P.-Dalagobind Bishi,Titilagarh,

15.KoshalSarathi,S.P.-Irfan Mohammad,Khadiial,Nuapada,

16.Kohali Farad,S.P.-Malaya Mishra,Balangir,

17.Koshali Rani,S.P.-Jyatsnarani Panda,Birmaharajpur,Sonepur,

18.Koushalya-S.P.Rjesh Kumar Karia,Sohela,Bargarh,

19.Ghant-S.P.-Ranjan Ku Sa,S.P.-Ghantaapali,Binka,Sonepur,

20.Chandar Udiian,Stll Published.-Bikash Chandra Sahu,Sohela,Bargarh,

21.Chadak-S.P.-Bikash Chandra Sahu,Sohela,Bargarh

22.Chahata Champa-S.P.-Taranisen Jena,Gopalmal,Barpali,

23.Pahapah-JanamukhaS.P.(To be Continued)SapanMishra,Budharaja,Sambalpur

23.Juljulia(S.P.)-Nihar Behera,Dhirpur,Bargarh

24.Juhaar-A Bi-Monthly Peotry collections being Published

Regularly,Uttam Hota,Gouranga Pandey,Jharsuguda

25.JhaarMali-(.S.P.)-Surangini Mishra,Taalpalipada,Balangir

26.Jharial-(S.P.)-Prakash Ch Bahidar,Shish mahal,Balangir

27.Tikk Chanhara-'Koshal' Newspaper thi-(S.P.)-Debarchan Thakur,Mudipada,Sambalpur

28.TharaaNaraa-(S.P.)-Kumar Chinnmaya,Balangir

29.Dakua-Published Regularly-Bijan Mahanty,GulekDham,Rugudipada,Balangir

30.Dhol-(S.P.)Surajit Singh Maharatha,K.B.G.P.,Nuapada

31.Tasha-(S.P.)-Pradip Ku dash,Rugudipada,Balangir

32.Tulsi-(S.P.)-Ashok Pujahari,Ghenss,Bargarh

33.Dutia Jhann-(S.P.)-Bibekanand majhi,Jaampali,Udhuna,Bargarh

34.Dainik Koshal-Irregular-Tribikram Tripathy,Koshal Bhaban,Sambalpur

35.Dhaaj-(S.P.)-Prafulla Sahu,TaalSirgida,Bargarh

36.Nabneeta-Ocassionally in our language-Kshetrabasi Nayak-Rajendra College Road,Balangir

37.Nisan-(S.P.)-Dr.Nilamadhab Panigrahi,Gulunda,Maneswar,Sambalpur

38.Nua-Jharan-Published regularl Quarterly-Kishor Kumar Sahu,Sapan Mahal,Kainsheer,Barpali

39.Nua-Dhaan-(S.P.)-Nandkanha Pujahari,Raipali,Sonepur

40.Nua-Sakaal-Published regularly Quarterly-Gourang Pandey,Junha-Bamhni,Barpali

41.Parbha-(S.P.)-Tikelal Behera,Titilagarh,Balangir

42.Paschimanchal-Published Regularly-Smt.Surama Mishra,Chhend,Rourkela

43.PaschimaBharati-(S.P.)-Nirmal Prakash Purohit,Mandosili,Bargarh

44.Painjhal-(S.P.)-Bipin Bihari Mahanand,Jhagadjhal,Jhar,Ghenss,Bargarh

45.PanhatiTara-Being Published-Naren Panchbhaya,Sargul,Padampur,Bargarh

46.Baul-Being Published-Sushant Mishra,Sohella,Bargarh

47.Bayetha-(S.P.)-Muribahal,Balangir

48.Bayela Re-(S.P.)-Kusha Panda,Brahminipali,Sonepur

49.Baas Patri-(S.P.)-Laxman Suna,Dekuluba,Remda,Bargarh

50.Batuabaas-Being Published Ocassionally-Dr.Laxmi Narayan Panigrahi,Ghenss,Bargarh

51.Beni-(Being Published)-Saket Sahu,Burumunda,Gaiselet,Bargarh

52.Bharni-(S.P.)-Dr.Dwarikanath Nayak,Dhanupali,Sambalpur

53.Bhandar Kun-(S.P.)-Rabiranjan Pradhan,Boden,Nuapada

54.Malmali-(S.P.)-Nihar Ranjan Behera,Bhukta,Ambabhona,Bargarh

55.Manohar-Being Published Ocassionally-Uttpanna Bhoi,Nuapali,Bheden,Bargarh

56.MahulKunchi-(S.P.)-Sarathi Pradhan,Babaji Tikra,Julunda,Sonepur

57.Maa-(S.P.)-Hadu Sahu,Ghodabandh,Kalahandi

58.Jubajyoti-(S.P.)-Harishankar Behera,Gurupali,Areigudi,Bargarh

59.Laal Surjya-(S.P.)-Pradeep Kumar Panda,Nua-Barangamaal,Sambalpur

60.Leti-Published Ocassionally-Anand Chandra Sahu,Shantipada,Balangir

61.Saetaan-Being Published in our language ocassionally-Prahalld Padhee,Patnagarh,Balangir

62.Sailta-Being Published-Amrutlal Sahu,Ghenss,Bargarh

63.Sambalbhumi-(S.P.)-Prahallad Dash,Sakhipada,Sambalpur

64.Sambalpuri Sahitya-(S.P.)-Nrupatti Deheri,Sambalpur

65.Sambad Newspaper carry Jugaar ocassionally-Bamapada Tripathy,Sambalpur

66.Sirjina-(S.P.)-Rajendra Mahanty,R.B.S. Padampur,Bargarh

67.Sunaphul-(S.P.)-Ganapati Bhukta,Badd Karle,Sonepur

68.Suna Buhen-Published ocassionally-Bijay Kumar Mahapatra,Kotian,Kaduapada,Jagatsinghpur

69.Surta-(S.P.)-Jugeswar Tandi,Putki Grinjel,Saipali,Bargarh

70.Surta-(S.P.)-Kalki Narayan Mishra,Koshali Academy,Balangir

71.Suru Nani-(S.P.)-Rohit Kumar Bhue,Ambabhona,Bargarh

72.Selaa Pathar-(S.P.)-Karunakar Bhoi,Mahurundi,Khaprakhol,Balangir

73.Sangram-(S.P.)-M.Arakhita,Bishipali,Nuapada

74.Haq-(S.P.)-Irfan Mohammad,Khadiaal,Nuapada

75.Hakua-(S.P.)-Jayakrushna Farikar,Haatpadaapada,Balangir

76.Hulaahuli-(S.P.)-Surangini Mishra,Tikirapada,Balangir

(Friends, it is very difficult to publish & circulate a Magazine. All these Editors & their cooperators deserve accolades from us. Lets ask them to resume their publication, those who have stopped publishing their Magazines. I call upon you to write letters to them stating your moral & other support to them to revive their Magazine. That is the way we can contribute our part for the growth our literature. I hope & believe, you will do something.)

People of Western Orissa are opting for Kosli, Sambalpuri in census

Courtesy : Indian Express

By Ratan K Pani

Rudrani Pradhan, a housewife at Budharaja here, questioned the enumerator whether she can mention Sambalpuri as her mother tongue. The enumerator responded by saying it was up to her.

Rudrani’s not a solitary instance. Even as Andhra Pradesh is embroiled over the demand for a separate Telangana, there has been a silent move by the people of the region, through the ongoing census, to establish a different cultural identity based on linguistic affinity of their own.

Though the move might help the cause of Koshal Kranti Dal (KKD), a political outfit, ahead of polls, it is bound to widen the gap between the people of western and coastal Orissa.

The question relating to mother tongue was included in the Census for the first time in 1881. In the 1891 Census, the question referred to ‘parent tongue,’ which was defined as the language spoken by the parent of an individual. It was then changed to language ordinarily spoken in the household in 1911, while it was again replaced with the word ‘mother tongue’ in 1931.

While during the previous Census the mother tongue was mentioned as ‘Oriya’, in the ongoing Census, a large number of people of western Orissa are mentioning either Sambalpuri or Koshali.

The issue cropped up a couple of months ago when some outfits requested people to record their mother tongue either as Sambalpuri or Koshli in the Census. The outfits reasoned that socio-economic development of the region was not possible without the development of their language.

The KKD has taken up the issue and since then has launched a campaign urging people to record their mother tongue as Koshli.

KKD president Pramod Mishra, however, said the campaign has no political undertone and stressed their demand for inclusion of the language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

He said the enumerators are ignoring the demand of the people to register their mother tongue as Koshli and informed that they had moved the Census Commission and directions have been issued to the District Collectors accordingly.

The move seems to have struck the right chord among the masses except perhaps in Rourkela, which has a large cosmopolitan population.

CENSUS 2011 - REGISTER KOSLI AS YOUR MOTHER TONGUE

Maa sikhala SAMALPURI_KOSLI

Master padhala ODIA,

Maa'r gude phul chadhei

Master k dema Nadia...........

hele v bhai mane Master nu Maa j kete Badhiaa.

Dear Friends,

Next month i.e february 2011, The Govt of India will conduct the national Census(LOK GANA OR JANA GANA) and in that process they will ask people to register their mother tongue...

Therefore I request each and every people of Western Orissa to register their mother tongue as "KOSLI" ...It is in our hand only to make our language prosper..

Just imagine other language like Santhali and all who have much less speaker than KOSLI but still have been included in the 8th scheduled of the Indian constitution ...

We have more than 2 crore people speaking KOSLI through out western orissa,part of jharkhand and chattisgarh and we are yet to get recognition..

Finally we request everyone to please inform your family members to register their mother tongue as KOSLI ..so that our language can be introduced in School and our people can learn in their own mother tongue...

PLEASE GO THROUGH THE TWO ATTACHEMENTS AND PLEASE FORWARD THIS IT EACH AND EVERY INTERNET SHAVVY PERSON OF KOSAL (WESTERN ORISSA)...

ISSUED BY

http://www.jaikosal.blogspot.com

Note:-The quote in the starting is contributed by Bhakta Prasad Babu and pampletes shared by Manas Ranjan Pradhan

Kosli Magazine Nabaneeta Released

This July one of the popular magazine Nabaneeta has released a Special Kosli sambalpuri edition fully dedicated to the Kosli literature and culture...

Click the links below to read the the special Kosli edition of Magazine NABANEETA online :-

PART1 -

http://koslisahitya.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/sirjina-saelta-nabaneeta-part-1.pdf

PART2 -

http://koslisahitya.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/sirjina-saelta-nabaneeta-part-2.pdf

Enjoy the magazine and please leave your comments..

June Edition Of Firstever Kosli Sambalpuri E-Magazine BENI Released

June Edition Of Firstever Kosli Sambalpuri E-Magazine BENI Released

Dear All,

Please click the link below to read the June edition of the Historic Firstever Kosli Sambalpuri E-Magazine "BENI" ....

This edition includes writings from Great legends like Kosal Valmiki Sri Hemachandra Acharya, Loka Kabi Kabiratna Haldhar nag, Dr Nelamadhab Panigrahi, Sri Nimai Charan Panigrahi etc....

http://koslisahitya.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/june_beni.pdf

Plz forward this link to your family and friends and contribute towards the growth of our Kosli Sambalpuri Literature ......

Special thanks to our editor Sri Saket Sahu for all his hard work and effort for bringing out this Historic E-Magazine....

JAI KOSLI SAHITYA

JAI MAA SAMALESWARI

The evolution of Kosali Sambalpuri language

Written By: Satyajit Nayak

About a decade & half ago when the Indian parliament were discussing inclusion of Nepali language in the eight schedule of the Indian constitution,a member of parliament from western orissa stood up and said when nepali can be included in eight schedule then why not sambalpuri language wnicn is also called as Kosali.The member of Parliament Mr. Sriballav Panigrahi said the sambalpuri language has got a rich literature and is spoken by more than 1.5 crore people across 10 district of western orissa region,parts of Chattisgarh,part of Jharkhand etc which is more than the Nepali speaking population in India.He further added... now we are talking about removal of illiteracy and universalisation of primary education, the child 'is to be taught, is to be given education at the primary stage, in his own mother tongue, which is naturally not the standard language of that place.In the taribal areas , many children are not attracted to schools and they treat the standard language(Oriya) as a foreign language. In the tribal belts, we should make arrangement for Imparting education In their own mother tongue.He also mentioned the difference between Oriya and Sambalpuri(kosali) language which the Govt. of Orissa is describing as an dialect.

This discussion in the Indian parliament beemed across the drawing rooms of every Indian home through the TV and made it sure that Sambalpuri (Kosali) is now a recognized language all over.Much before these recognitions in the early 70's a popular sambalpuri song "Rangabati go Rangabati" written by Mitrabhanu Gauntia and sung by the legendary singer Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel was broadcasted on All India Radio.Soon it became a national anthem for every band party ushering the bridegroom to the house of the bride.So was the impact of this song that it was aired in early 1975 in Internation Radio Stations like BBC & Voice of America.It was the first time that any regional Indian song (other than Hindi) was aired by BBC.Years later many music director across the country copied this song and composed it by changing the lyrics into their own regional language with same meaning(Telugu song Rangabati) but nobody dared to change the rhythm and simplicity of the song.This was the beauty of this language.

The Origin of the Kosali Sambalpuri language can be found from the 12th century AD Stambheswari inscription from Subarnapur district which was recovered by some local historians around 20 years ago.It is to be mentioned that Western Orissa region along with chattisgarh was earlier known as the Dakhin Kosala Kingdom.After India's independence Chattisgarh was merged with Madhya Pradesh and western orissa (kosal) region with Orissa.Since then the Orissa govt. declared Oriya as the only Official language of the state and made it compulsory in schools thus side-lining the hundred years old Kosali Sambalpuri language without caring the sentiments of people from western orissa.

But this forceful imposition of Oriya did not dethere the spirit of the kosali people.Years after the merger of dakhin kosal (western orissa) with Orissa ,a spirited kosali Satya Narayan Bohidar (born on 1st August 1913 at Sonepur)prepared the firstever dictionary and basic grammar to the uncodified Sambalpuri Language.This was a revolution aswell as a proof of the Uniformity of the sambalpuri Kosali language.Years later noted sambalpuri litterateur, translator and scholar Sri Hemachandra Acharya,popularly known as the Balmiki of Kosali literature produced a master piece "The Kosali Ramayana – Ram Raha", published by the Sambalpur University in 2001.It was indeed a milestone achieved.This Kosali Sambalpuri Ramayana - "Ram Raha" made him dearer to the masses in Western Orissa region where people speak Kosali (Sambalpuri) language. Even today, people in several villages in the region religiously preserve and recite his translated version. He was also engaged in translation of the Upanishad into Kosali but unfortunately breathed his last on the 26th of August 2009.

Kosali sambalpuri language got another moral booster when Dr.Nilamadhab Panigrahi,an eminent essayist,litterateur,Poet-Author of many Books, Editor of 'Nishan' & many more literary works single handedly composed the Sambalpuri Mahabharat "Mahabharat Katha".This book was also published by Sambalpur University.Many of his literary work included 'Sambalpuri-Koshali Grammer'Book which he co-authored with Dr.Prafulla Tripathy.Mr Panigrahi was the torch bearer of the kosali sambalpuri language in the recent times.He refused to accept the'Sarala Samman' which was to be given by IMFA Group because of his intense love for the Sambalpuri/Kosali language.Sarala Samman is usually given to people who have worked to popularise Oriya language. He was also the convenor of 'Koshal Sammellan'along with Mr.P.R.Dubey & Pandit Prayag Datta Joshi,which spearheaded socio-linguistic movement in Kosal region.He sat on hunger strike demanding Primers(Primary Books) for Total Literacy Campaign to be made in 'Sambalpuri/Kosali' language in Sambalpur,Kalahandi,Balangir,sundargarh,sonepur,nuapada,baudh,debgad,Jharsuguda & Bargarh districts & prevailed upon the district authorities.An erstwhile Sanskrit & Odia Scholar who abandoned writing in Odia language since about three decades.Also a prominent personality in India in the field of Indian Classical Music & was Principal of 'Gandharva Viswa-Vidyalaya',U.P.

As the world was welcoming the new millenium with full joy and enthusiasm a new torch-bearer for the Kosali Sambalpuri language came into the picture.It was non-other than the un-educated(never went to school) nature poet Haldhar Nag.Due to his simple rendition of the poem he became a hit with the masses of western orissa.He is by far the most popular sambalpuri writer in western orissa.His masterpiece "Aamar gaan'r masan padaa"(Our Village's graveyard) and "Dhadho Bargach"(Old Banyan Tree) are very much popular through out the region.He is also credited with introducing the first Kosali sambalpuri vernacular Magazine "Varni".

Many More intellects,poets like Nimai Charan Panigrahi,Amulya Dandsena,Dr.Harekrishna Meher,Kalicharan Panigrahi,Jatindra Pradhan etc are contributing a lot to popularise the Sambalpuri literature.Besides all these greats there are thousands of Unknown poet,writer who are sitiing quitely under some mango graves in some remote village and are penning down their expression in their mother toungue Kosali sambalpuri with the hope of getting recognized some day.

As we entered another decade in the new millenium, the youth or the young generation of Kosal are taking charge to popularise their Mother tongue Kosali and trying hard to get it recognized officially.Now typing the word Sambalpuri in youtube or google search will give you ample evidence of it's uniqueness and sweetness.As the world was welcoming the year 2010 , a young brigade of Kosali youth launched the historic firstever Kosali/Sambalpuri E (Online) Monthly Magazine "BENI" which can be read in the following url.(http://kddf.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/beni-final2.pdf).Edited by Saket Sahu,It was launched as the clock hit midnight welcoming the New year which incidentally happens to be the Second biggest festival of western orissa "PUSPUNI"...

So thus the Sambalpuri Kosali language took more than 900 years to evolve and it is asking all our beurocrates,politician to give her the due respect which she deserves by including her in the eight schedule of the Indian constitution and formally declaring it as a scheduled language of Indian Republic....