Charan Hembram: Champion of Santali Language, Culture, and Tribal Empowerment

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On 26 January 2026, the Government of India bestowed the Padma Shri—one of the nation’s highest civilian honours—on Charan Hembram, in recognition of his exemplary contributions to Santali literature, education, and cultural revival. This momentous award not only celebrates a singular individual’s life work but also symbolises the rising visibility of tribal languages and cultures in the national literary and cultural ecosystem.

Early Life and Context

Charan Hembram hails from the tribal heartland of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha, a region with a rich tradition of Santali language and culture. While detailed public records of his early life—exact birth date, family background, and formal education—are not widely documented in mainstream sources, multiple reports identify Hembram as being in his early seventies around 2026, suggesting that his life’s journey has spanned several decades of profound social change in India.

Santali, an Austroasiatic language spoken predominantly in eastern India (especially in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal), has historically existed on the margins of mainstream Indian literature. Hembram’s work must be understood against this backdrop: a linguistic community with millions of speakers but limited institutional representation in literature and education until relatively recently.

Literary Contributions and Cultural Advocacy

Charan Hembram’s influence encompasses literature, cultural preservation, and education. He is recognised as a prolific author of at least five books on tribal culture and heritage, exploring themes that reflect the lived experiences, beliefs, and traditions of Santali communities. These writings serve not only as literary expressions but also as cultural documentation and a repository of tribal knowledge systems that have often been sidelined in dominant narratives.

While Santali literature has produced many notable figures, Hembram stands out for the breadth and depth of his engagement. His publications have contributed to the legitimisation of Santali as a literary language with a vibrant expressive tradition and have inspired generations within his community to value their own linguistic heritage.

Promoting Education and Combating Superstition

Beyond books, one of Hembram’s enduring contributions has been in the field of education. Reports note that he has established several schools aimed at promoting both education and cultural awareness among tribal children. This is significant in a context where tribal literacy rates have traditionally lagged behind the national average, and where formal education in indigenous languages has been difficult to access.

Hembram has spoken about his efforts to eradicate widespread superstitions that can hinder social development, particularly in rural and tribal regions. By encouraging scientific temper and critical thinking alongside cultural pride, he has aimed to strike a balance between preserving tradition and embracing progress.

Cultural Revival: Dance, Music, and Arts

Another remarkable aspect of Hembram’s life’s work lies in the promotion of indigenous Santali arts. Over the last three decades, he has voluntarily worked to encourage Santali dance forms and other cultural expressions among young people, especially students. These efforts have helped nurture pride in tribal identity and have enabled tribal arts to flourish in formal and community spaces alike.

The arts, in Hembram’s vision, are not mere entertainment; they are living expressions of collective memory and identity. By fostering platforms where tribal dance, music, and storytelling can be performed and appreciated, he has significantly contributed to sustaining and revitalising cultural traditions that might otherwise be under threat from cultural homogenisation.

Recognition and Accolades

The award of the Padma Shri on Republic Day 2026 is a crowning achievement in Hembram’s distinguished career. The official announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs placed him among 131 distinguished individuals nationwide recognised for contributions across sectors. Specifically, Hembram’s honour came in the category of literature and education, marking a rare and prestigious acknowledgement of tribal literary work at the national level.

At the announcement, Hembram expressed his deep joy and humility, noting that he and his family were “very happy” to receive the news. He also highlighted the support and recognition he has received from a wide network of organisations—around 70 from Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal—which underscores his broad influence within the tribal communities of eastern India.

Legacy and Broader Impact

Charan Hembram’s story is one of grassroots commitment and transformative cultural engagement. His lifetime of work exemplifies how literature can be a powerful vehicle for community empowerment and linguistic affirmation. Until recent decades, tribal literatures like Santali were largely oral and marginalised. The inclusion of Santali in academic curricula, as well as the growing body of written work by Santali authors, reflects a broader shift in recognising the diversity of India’s linguistic heritage.

Hembram’s achievements not only celebrate his individual talent but also affirm the centrality of tribal voices in India’s cultural mosaic. By writing in and promoting Santali, he has helped strengthen the language’s prestige and ensure its continued relevance in an increasingly globalised world.

Inspiring Future Generations

One of the most enduring aspects of Hembram’s legacy is his influence on younger generations of tribal writers, artists, and activists. By demonstrating that one can achieve national recognition while remaining deeply rooted in local culture, he has provided a template for others to follow.

In addition, his work in education and cultural promotion lays a foundation for future leaders who will carry forward the mission of linguistic preservation and social upliftment. The Padma Shri award, in this light, serves not only as recognition of past contributions but as a beacon encouraging sustained and expanded efforts in the years to come.

Conclusion

Charan Hembram’s Padma Shri is a testament to the power of literature and culture as instruments of social transformation. His dedication to Santali language, his efforts to expand educational opportunities for tribal communities, and his advocacy for cultural pride have made him a revered figure in Odisha and beyond. In honouring him, India celebrates not just an individual, but a rich literary and cultural heritage that continues to shape the nation’s diverse identity.