Panchpargania Language of Jharkhand, India

Panchpargania : (पंचपरगनिया):

(Article by P. Pramanik)

The name is derived from the Panch Pargana area where it is spoken. It is a common language for communication for all the village masses as well as suburban area belonging to Bundu block, Tamar block, Silli block, Sonahatu block, Arki block & Angara blocks of undivided Ranchi district. As now, Ranchi is furhter divided to form a new district i.e. Khunti; Tamar & Arki blocks of former Ranchi are now part of this new district. Recently a new block is formed named "Rahe" block, which was formerly a part of Sonahatu Block. The Panchpargania language has a rich and sound heritage of its own identity though much influenced by the other languages spoken in Jharkhand. You may find many similar words & phonetics in Panchpargania language resembling to that of Nagpuriya, Kurmali, Bengali & Oriya languages spoken in the state. This language has excellent heritage of folktales & folklores as well as many of remarkable play-writes, stories, poems & novels contributed by renowned Panchpargania writers. This language is becoming richer day by day, making its distinct place in the regional languages of Jharkhand which may be evidenced by its inclusion in the new syllabus of UGC NET June 2012 (Syllabus for Tribal and Regional Language / Literature has added Panchpargania Language as Elective – IX. This is mother tongue of millions of people of Panch Pargana who love & care for it as their mothers. Most Panchpargania speaking people are Literate in Hindi,Understand Sadri and due to lexical similarity between 61%–86% it is considered possibly the same asKudmali or Kurmali but it has a separate identity of its own.

Demography:

The Panchpargania language is spoken by all communities i.e. Hindu, Muslims, Christians including Sadan people such as Rajputs,Brahmins, Teli & Baniyas, Kumhar, Nai (Pramaniks), Chik Baraik, Gosai, Ghasi (Dom), Koiri, Lohar, Paik, Pan, Rautia, Tamudia, Mahli (tribe), Tanti, Kurmi (Mahto), Bedia (tribe), Munda tribe of Tamar, Sonahatu, Silli, Rahe, Bundu & Arki blocks of Ranchi & Khunti districts of Jharkhand state. However according to Joshua Project - there are 16 people groups speaking Panchpargania in India.

Panchpargania speaking region of Jharkhand

Other names:

Alternate names given for Panchpargania language by MultiTree: A digital library of language relationships are- Tamaria; Tair; Tamara; Temoral; Tumariya; Tanti; Chik Barik; Bedia; Pan; Pan Sawasi etc.It belongs to the family -Indo-European
Category:Bihari languages

Related dialects:

It was subdivided under Bihari language]] and the estimated number of speakers as on 1997 was around 274,000 but actual number is far more than this figure because the total population of the Panchpargania speaking blocks of Ranchi, Khunti & West Singhbhum district]] districts of Jharkhand state is more than 1,000,000 (One Million) and 75% people of these areas use this language as common language of communications. Its dialects are related to Sadri, Possibly the same as Kudmali, "Sonahatu" variety considered most pure, Lexical similarity: 77%–94% between dialects, 61%–86% with Kudmali, 68%–76% with Khortha, 61%–70% with Sadri, 48%–52% with Oriya, 45%–58% with Bengali language, 50% to 60% with Hindi.

Script:

Panchpargania is written with Bengali script by some people particularly in the border areas of Jharkhand & West Bengal. Most of the people use Devnagari (Nagari) script; However, it being written in Kaithi is also known.

Important Festivals of Panchpargana Region

1. Tusu Parab (टुसू परब): It being a Tribal dominated area mostly influenced by the Hindu culture of neighboring West Bengal and Orrissa states, Tusu Parab is a remarkable festival which is celebrated much enthusiastically by the all the natives of Panchpargana region.

Tusu mela of Panchpargana, Jharkhand

2. Susari Parab (सुसारी परब): Another Unique festivity of this region is "Susari Parab" which is celebrated in the "Rahe" block of Ranchi district which is approximately 15 kilometers away form Bundu (Ranchi-Jamshedpur State Highway).This festival is also celebrated at Purnanagar village which is approximately 3 Kilometers away in South-West direction from Rahe village. Another similar festival known as "Konka Parab" is also celebrated at Tamar of Panchpargana region.

Susari Parab of Panchpargana Region (Pic. courtesy: Manoj Kumar)

3. Chau Nach (छउ नाच): And what about Chau Nach. Need-not to explain this renowned form of folk dance of this Panchpargana region which is popular here from ancient time. Though most of the Chau dancers are invited from Purulia district and other border areas of Jharkhand yet local talents cant be ignored who perform excellently also. Many a times combination of "invited" and "local" performers spell magic on the audiences. A matter of fact in these days is the deterioration of the quality of the dance form which getting more influenced by the Bollywood tunes despite of its ancient heritage of Bangla based folk songs.

Chau Nach of Jharkhand

4. Murga Ladai (मुर्गा लड़ाई): Like other tribal ares "Murga Ladai- The Cock fighting" is very popular in Panchpargana area of Jharkhand. People enjoy the fights of the male Poultry birds and winner takes away the defeated bird along with the prize money.

Murga Ladai (Cock fighting) in a village of Panchpargana region (Pic. courtesy: Manoj Kumar)

Panchpargania Language of Jharkhand, India

Friday 24 January 2014