The Santali community is in mourning following the demise of renowned writer and activist Malti Murmu, who passed away at her official residence today. She was 51. Her mortal remains will be cremated this afternoon at her ancestral village, Chandua, in Mayurbhanj.
A formidable force in the Mission Ol Chiki movement, Murmu dedicated her life to the Santali language. She was the editor of the monthly newspaper Fagun and a prominent leader within the All India Santali Writers’ Association. Her extraordinary contributions were recently honored by the State Government and the President of India during the Ol Chiki script centenary celebrations.
Survived by her husband, Joint Secretary Mangat Murmu, her passing leaves a profound void in the tribal literary landscape. From her roots in Gayalkata to becoming a senior propagator of Santali heritage, Malti Murmu’s legacy remains an inspiration for the preservation of indigenous scripts.