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)