By Isaac Harold Gomes
Tapan, September 3, 2026: The centenary of legendary Adivasi leader, Santali litterateur and four‑time legislator Nathaniyal Robinson Murmu was celebrated with reverence and cultural pride at Nathaniyal Murmu Memorial College in South Dinajpur.
Murmu, born Sept. 3, 1926, and remembered as a teacher, reformer, and politician, represented the Tapan constituency in the West Bengal Assembly for four consecutive terms between 1962 and 1977 as a Revolutionary Socialist Party candidate. He died in 1989.
Bust unveiled, tributes flow
The celebration began with the unveiling of Murmu’s bust by MLA Budhrai Tudu. Former Balurghat MP Ranen Barman, Professor Suranjan Midde of Rabindra Bharati University, Murmu’s son Tonol Murmu, and several educators and social workers were among the dignitaries.
Tudu, serving his second term, pledged to support the college’s development and promised a centenary publication documenting Murmu’s contributions.
He proposed a cultural center and archery stadium in Murmu’s honor, noting that “besides several roads, one Boys’ Hostel and places being named after Nathaniyal Murmu, a football tournament is also held every year in his honour.”
Scholar remembered for erudition
Midde described Murmu as “multitalented — an educator, humanist, social reformer, politician, linguist and above all, a great visionary.” He recalled that former chief minister Jyoti Basu had urged legislators to listen to Murmu’s speeches for their linguistic purity.
Midde expressed confidence that with Tudu’s backing, a centenary book would become “a historic document for current and future generations.”
He also praised the resilience of South Dinajpur’s tribal communities, who “smilingly embrace the daily grind of life and at the same time, preserve their culture in its pristine form.”
Legacy in education and language
Tonol Murmu highlighted his father’s lifelong mission to empower the downtrodden through education. He recalled Nathaniyal’s role in introducing Santali as a subject in schools and universities, noting that “now Santali is taught in 34 universities and so his father’s cherished dream of Santali education from KG to PG has been fulfilled.”
He urged youth to pursue higher education, stressing that “life doesn’t take kindly to ‘also‑rans’ and only good quality education can uplift the downtrodden and empower them.”
Community gratitude and cultural pride
Barman, who donated 5 million rupees ($52,915) from his MP fund to establish the college, thanked organizers for honoring Murmu’s memory. He credited successive MPs for ensuring the institution’s completion and affiliation.
Nagendra Hembrom, Murmu’s longtime colleague and flutist, enthralled the audience with music and recalled Murmu’s exhortation: “Be educated, gather knowledge, get empowered and earn respect by uplifting the community.”
Murmu’s literary works, including Ojoy Gada Dhip re and Santali Parsi Reyak Tayam Daram, remain part of academic curricula. He also edited influential Santali journals such as Arsal and Jugsirijol.
The West Bengal government honored him with the Adibasi Gunijan Sambardhana award for his contributions to Santali language and literature. The award recognizes lifelong contributions, community service, and cultural promotion within tribal communities.
As the centenary concluded, speakers emphasized the urgency of chronicling Murmu’s life and realizing his unfulfilled dreams — particularly the empowerment of marginalized communities through education.
(Photo supplied)
The report on the great Adivasi (son of the soil) leader Nathaniyal Murmu is a revelation to most of us. To win four elections and that too without the money power which we witness in today’s politics, is an astounding achievement! And for Nathaniyal to earn the respect of the inimitable Jyoti Basu, for his language skills where he did not take pride speaking in Hinglish or Benglish, is very rare indeed. In today’s world of hollow, drum-beating politicians and so-called social leaders, we need the revisit of leaders of the calibre of Nathaniyal Murmu.
Nathaniyal Murmu was such a great leader of Bengal, yet very few knew about him. It’s good that Isaac went to South Dinajpur and reported on the life of this great visionary leader. I am told his illustrious son Dr Tonol Murmu stays in Kolkata and that his daughter is doing Masters in English in Jadavpur University. I am also very happy to learn from Isaac’s report on the great affinity among the tribals in South Dinajpur, their lovely mud houses, and the great work they are doing. God always works his wonders in his own way.
Thanks for highlighting this great man’s contribution to the tribal community
Nathaniyal Murmu’s Birth Centenary Programme was observed by a One-day State-level Seminar organised by Departments of History, Sociology and Political Science in collaboration with IQAC of Nathaniyal Murmu Memorial College. The caption of the seminar held at Gitanjali Seminar Hall of the College was: “JONMO SHOTOBORSHER ALOKE NATHANIYAL MURMU: JIBON O SRIJON (1926-2026). It means remembrance of the Life and Creation of Nathaniyal Murmu in his Birth Centenary.
The great visionary’s impact on improving the lives of his tribal electorate was quite evident to us. Today the Adivasi community in Tapan and South Dinajpur, at large, have realized his strive for their uplift through education and social empowerment. His own son Dr Tonol Murmu is consultant for several NGOs. The other shining examples are Santhali writers, poets, musicians and social workers namely Kistu Murmu at Rajibpur (writer of several books and journals – In one of his books the cover page reads: “Let Adivasis of the world be united as one.”); Mithun Horo of Mustafapur Munda locality; Mithun is supervising translation of the Bible in 23 tribal languages, a noted artist, photographer and a percussion player; Mrs Belasi Surin (Kerketta) who is an exponent of Munda language; famous flautist Nagendra Murmu and several others.
What impressed us very much during our stay in South Dinajpur were: The quiet bond among tribals of all communities in South Dinajpur; the eco-friendly and artistic mud houses of Rajibpur adjacent to Fr Nobile Road; the smile in their faces despite the hardships of life; and their steadfast perseverance to preserve their indigenous musical culture.