Santhali Optional Syllabus

The Santhali Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a unique and valuable choice for candidates with a deep understanding of the Santhali language and its rich oral traditions. The syllabus covers the linguistic evolution of Santhali, its grammar, and an exploration of its traditional and modern literary works, including poetry, prose, and folklore. This option offers candidates an opportunity to engage with the vibrant cultural and literary heritage of the Santhal community. This post provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.

Paper I: Santhali Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Part I—History of Santhali Language

      1. Main Austric Language family, population and distribution.
      2. Grammatical structure of Santhali Language.
      3. Important character of Santhali Language: Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Translation, Lexicography.
      4. Impact of other languages of Santhali.
      5. Standardization of Santhali Language.

   2. Part II—History of Santhali Literature

      1. Literary trend of the following four periods of history of Santhali Literature.
         1. Ancient Literature before 1854.
         2. Missionary period Literature between 1855 to 1889 AD.
         3. Medieval period: Literature between 1890 to 1946 AD.
         4. Modern period : Literature from 1947 AD to till date.
      2. Writing tradition in History of Santhali literature.

2. Section B:

   1. Part-I

      1. Folk Literature in Santhali—folk song, folk tale, phrase, idioms puzzles, and Kudum.

   2. Part-II

      1. Development of poetry and prominent poets.
      2. Development of prose and prominent writers.
         Novels and prominent Novelists.
         Stories and prominent story writers.
         Drama and Prominent Dramatist.
         Criticism and prominent critics.
         Essay, sketches, memoirs, travelogues and prominent writers.
      3. Santhali writers: Shyam Sundar Hembram, Pandit Raghunath Murmu, Barha Beshra, Sadhu Ramchand Murmu, Narayan Soren ‘Toresutam’, Sarda Prasad Kisku, Raghunath Tudu, Kalipada Soren, Sakla Soren, Digamber Hansda, Aditya Mitra ‘Santhali’, Babulal Murmu ‘Adivasi’, Jadumani Beshra, Arjun Hembram, Krishna Chandra Tudu, Rupchand Hansda, Kalendra Nath Mandi, Mahadev, Hansda, Gour Chandra Murmu, Thakur Prasad Murmu, Hara Prasad Murmu, Uday Nath Majhi, Parimal Hembram, Dhirendra Nath Baske, Shyam Charan Hembram, Damayanti Beshra, T.K. Rapaj, Boyha Biswanath Tudu.

   3. Part-III

      1. Cultural Heritage of Santhali tradition, customs, festival and rituals (birth, marriage and death).

Paper II: Santhali Optional Syllabus

1. ‘

   Section A: Ancient Literature

   1. Prose:

      1. Kherwal Bonso Dhorom Puthi—Majhi Ramdas Tudu “Rasika”.
      2. Mare Hapramko Reyak Katha—L.O. Scrafsrud.
      3. Jomsim Binti Lita—Mangal Chandra Turkulumang Soren.
      4. Marang Buru Binti—Kanailal Tudu.

   2. Poetry:

      1. Karam Sereng—Nunku Soren.
      2. Devi Dasain Sereng—Manindra Hansda.
      3. Horh Sereng—W.G. Archer.
      4. Baha Sereng—Balaram Tudu.
      5. Dong Sereng—Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’.
      6. Hor Sereng—Raghunath Murmu.
      7. Soros Sereng—Babulal Murmu “Adivasi”.
      8. More Sin More Ndia—Rup Chand Hansda.
      9. Judasi Madwa Latar—Tez Narayan Murmu.

2. Section B: Modern Literature

   1. Part-I: Poetry

      1. Onorhen Baha Dhalwak—Paul Jujhar Soren.
      2. Asar Binti—Narayan Soren “Tore Sutam”.
      3. Chand Mala—Gora Chand Tudu.
      4. Onto Baha Mala—Aditya Mitra “Santhali”.
      5. Tiryo Tetang—Hari Har Hansda.
      6. Sisirjon Rar—Thakur Prasad Murmu.

   2. Part-II: Novels

      1. Harmawak Ato—R.Karstiars (Translator—R.K. Kisku Rapaz).
      2. Manu Mati—Chandra Mohan Hansda.
      3. Ato Orak—Doman Hansdak.
      4. Ojoy Gada Dhiph re—Nathenial Murmu.

   3. Part-III: Stories

      1. Jiyon Gada—Rup Chand Hansda and Jadumani Beshra.
      2. Mayajaal—Doman Sahu ‘Samir’ and Padmashri Bhagwat Murmu ‘Thakur’.

   4. Part-IV: Drama

      1. Kherwar Bir—Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
      2. Juri Khatir—Dr. K.C. Tudu.
      3. Birsa Bir—Ravi Lal Tudu.

   5. Part-V: Biography

      1. Santal Ko Ren Mayam Gohako—Dr. Biswanath Hansda.