Guests at the book release function of B.N. Ohdar’s Khorta Bhasa Aur Sahitya. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, July 30: Here’s a book that discovers a language of the region, hints at traditional folklore and is written in a rare script as well.

Khorta Bhasa aur Sahitya, a book that traces the roots of the local Khorta language, was released at a function organised at the Tribal and Regional Language department of Ranchi University (RU) today.

Penned by B.N. Ohdar, a teacher of the department, the book features rich folklore of the region and speaks of Jharkhand from a wider perspective.

“Several books have been written in Khorta but this book differs from earlier ones as it discovers the roots of the language,” said Ohdar while speaking about his new work.

The book was released by B.P. Kesri, a noted Nagpuri scholar and former head of the tribal and regional languages department at RU.

Appreciating Ohdar’s work in Khorta, Kesri said the book would help the present generation learn about the past. Kumari Basanti, the head of the tribal and regional language department, also took part in the ceremony.

A huge population residing in Santhal Pargana, Palamau and the adjacent regions of the state speaks Khorta — one of the four regional languages of Jharkhand.

The language is spoken both by both tribal and non-tribals and thus serves as a link between many local groups.

Khorta Bhasa aur Sahitya is Ohdar’s third book. Earlier in 2006, he translated the ghazals of last king of Mughal dynasty Bahdur Shah Jafar. In 1990, he penned a collection of essays in Khorta.

Ohdar said his book could be of use to students, who plan to appear in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations.

The book also dwells upon folk culture and tradition of the people residing in the Khorta region. It brings out how Magahi and Khorta languages have influenced each other in the due course of evolution.

“Residing in the same place, the tribal and non-tribal people of the Khorta region have influenced each other in terms of language, culture and tradition. I have tried to picture the marriage of linguistic and cultural of tribals and sadans in my book,” Ohdar said.