AKSHARA BRAHMA FORM OF, LORD JAGANNATH, THE MOST BELOVED DEITY OF THE SABARAS. (Established on 18th June 1936

**AKSHARA BRAHMA FORM OF LORD JAGANNATH, THE MOST BELOVED DEITY OF THE SAVARAS** *(Established on 18 June 1936)*)

S. P. Mangai gives the following account regarding the origin of the script. The Savara people used to worship Daru-Brahma (the wooden image of God). However, when Lalita, the Savara princess, fell in love with a Brahmin and revealed to him the secrets of the worship, the Brahmin won over the Lord. The Lord vanished and no longer responded to the prayers of the Savara people.

Then the Savaras said:

“Wonderful! You do not listen to me, and you do not respond to me. But you listen to the Brahmin, who is an outsider. Alright, I say, from today I will offer you only blood and liquor. When you come back again to us and teach us to be wise and good, we will worship you then only with due sanctity.”

The Savara people took such a resolution, and since then they had been sacrificing cocks, goats, buffaloes, and, according to the tradition, even human beings during certain rituals. They worshipped, paid obeisance, and then poured blood and liquor over the deity's head.

However, after many days, at the end of the Age of Kali, the Lord came back and said:

“Now I have come to you, not as Daru-Brahma, but as Akshara-Brahma (the Alphabetic Image of God). Worship me in this form. I will be visible on the Matter Bnom Vijnan Hills.”

The Savaras then went there and saw the twenty-four letters appearing before them in a vision. A shrine was subsequently built on that site, and the worship of Akshara-Brahma commenced from that day.

Mangai thus spiritualized his invention of a Sora script and established a new religious order designated as Matter Bnom Dmri—the religion that opens the eyes and makes people good and wise. His script, symbolizing Akshara-Brahma, is enshrined on a hill near Marichiguda, about 20 kilometres from the nearest town of Gunupur.

The image is in the shape of “Om” in the Odia character and contains the 24 letters, 9 numerals, and a crest inscribed upon it. During the past forty years, Mangai has proselytized a considerable number of his tribesmen and established sub-centres throughout the Sora-speaking region to promote literacy in the script.

Particularly in the Padampur–Gunupur area, centering around the villages of Marichiguda and Dumbasara, literacy has spread to a recognizable extent. The script is, in fact, being used for intra-community communication and literary activities.

THE CONSTITUTION (SCHEDULED TRIBES) ORDER, 1950

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 342 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Governors and Rajpramukhs of the States concerned, is pleased to make the following Order, namely:—

1.

This Order may be called The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

2.

The tribes, tribal communities, or parts of, or groups within, tribes or tribal communities specified in the Parts of the Schedule to this Order shall, in relation to the States to which those Parts respectively relate, be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes, so far as regards members thereof resident in the localities specified in relation to them respectively in those Parts of that Schedule.

3.

Any reference in this Order to a State, district, or other territorial division shall be construed as a reference to the State, district, or other territorial division as constituted on the 1st day of May, 1967.

---

NOTES

1. Published with the Ministry of Law Notification No. S.R.O. 510, dated the 6th September, 1950, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, 1950, Part II, Section 3, page 597.

2. Substituted by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Lists (Modification) Order, 1956.

3. The figure XVIII has successively been substituted by Act 18 of 1987, Section 19 and the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 30.05.1987); by Act 28 of 2000, Section 20 and the Fourth Schedule (w.e.f. 01.11.2000); by Act 29 of 2000, Section 25 and the Sixth Schedule (w.e.f. 09.11.2000); and by Act No. 30 of 2000, Section 24 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 15.11.2000), to read as above.

4. Substituted by Act 108 of 1976, Section 19 and the Second Schedule for Paragraph 3 (w.e.f. 27.07.1977).

---

SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDA LIST

1. Submission to the Governor of Odisha

Submitted by: Sabar Cultural Association
Address: At/Po: H.O., District Rayagada, Odisha

A memorandum was submitted to Sri S. I. Muralidhara Chandrakant Bhandare, Hon'ble Governor of Odisha, Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.

Prayer: For the inclusion of the Sora Language and Sora Sompeng Script in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Letter No.: 238
Date: 14.11.2012

---

2. Submission to the Governor of Odisha

Submitted by: Sabar Cultural Association
Address: At/Po: H.O., District Rayagada, Odisha

A memorandum was submitted to Shri S. C. Jamir, Hon'ble Governor of Odisha, Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.

Prayer: For the inclusion of the Sora Language and Sora Sompeng Script in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Letter No.: 239
Date: 25.03.2013

---

3. Submission to the Governor of Odisha

Submitted by: Sabar Cultural Association
Address: At/Po: H.O., District Rayagada, Odisha

A memorandum was submitted to Shri S. C. Jamir, Hon'ble Governor of Odisha, Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.

Prayer: For the inclusion of the Sora Language and Sora Sompeng Script in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Letter No.: 240
Date: 15.11.2016

---

4. Submission to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Submitted by: Sabar Cultural Association
Address: At/Po: H.O., District Rayagada, Odisha

A memorandum was submitted to Shri Jual Oram, Hon'ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.

Prayer: For the inclusion of the Sora Language and Sora Sompeng Script in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

---

5. Submission to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Submitted by: Sabar Cultural Association
Address: At/Po: H.O., District Rayagada, Odisha

A memorandum was submitted to Shri Jual Oram, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.

Prayer: For the inclusion of the Sora Language and Sora Sompeng Script in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Letter No.: 241
Date: 15.11.2016

 

SORA & ORIYA: A STUDY ON LOAN VOCABULARY

Of the several important tribes of Orissa, the Sora is one of the most well-known, mainly due to its connection with the Jagannath legend. The tribe is also known by various other names such as Sabara, Saura, and Sora. The mother tongue statistics for this tribe, spelled as “Savara” in the 1981 Census, are as follows:

Savara – 1981 Census

• India: 556,195
• Orissa: 370,060
• Andhra Pradesh: 82,101

It is clear from these figures that the main concentration of the tribe is in Orissa. However, we have reasons to believe that these census figures may not be very accurate, because a large number of Sora speakers who return Oriya as their mother tongue are merged with another tribe called Sabara or Lodha.

It is important to note that the Oriya-speaking Sabaras are mainly found in the coastal districts of Cuttack and Puri, while the Sora speakers predominantly inhabit the districts of Ganjam and Koraput. It is these latter Soras who are discussed in this paper.

Their language, Sora, belongs to the southern branch of the Munda sub-family and is genetically distinct from Oriya, which belongs to the Indo-Aryan sub-family. However, languages that have been in contact with each other for centuries are likely to influence one another, irrespective of their genetic affiliations.

Thus, we find that there are a large number of linguistic features and words that are common to Oriya and Sora. This situation immediately raises the question of cultural contact between these languages and, consequently, of a loan vocabulary.

Although, at the moment, it is not possible to identify definitively the languages in terms of donor or recipient, the loan vocabulary is sufficient proof to establish the depth and extent of the contact situation. However, considering the cultural conditions of these two groups, it cannot be denied that Oriya is far ahead of Sora in many accomplishments, and therefore it is natural that Oriya, in most cases, will appear to be the donor and Sora the recipient rather than the other way round.

But it is also true that Sora, as we understand its processes, is a very conservative language and has a natural ability built into it to recreate its own vocabulary using its indigenous devices. As a moderately agglutinative language, it favours the formation of new words from indigenous material rather than through direct borrowings.

Some of the direct borrowings include words such as raja (king), sun (quicklime), loa (iron), and mua (a sweetmeat). However, there is also a large amount of common vocabulary that cannot be traced to any particular source, and the possibility of Oriya borrowing from Sora remains quite plausible.

In any case, such a study is all the more difficult, particularly in the absence of a theory of loanwords. Although no such theory is proposed here, a few guidelines might be of interest.

Savara leepi Books

                                  

Indigenous material rather than direct borrowings. Some of the direct borrowings include raja (king), sun (quicklime), loa (iron), and mua (a sweetmeat). However, there is also a large body of common vocabulary that cannot be traced to any particular source, and the possibility of Oriya borrowing from Sora remains quite plausible. In any case, such a study is considerably more difficult, particularly in the absence of a theory of loanwords. Although no such theory is proposed here, a few guidelines might be of interest.d here, a few guide lines might be of interest. 

    

INTRODUCTION

Savara is an Adivasi language of India with its own indigenous script.

The name of this book is “SORAN SOMPENG.”

Edition: 8th Edition
Copies: 1,000 (One Thousand Copies)

This book is highly useful for everyone. It presents several important and lesser-known events and teachings shared by Sora Pandit Mangai Gomang, which enlighten and guide human life at every stage and moment of its journey.

The Sora Script (Sora Sompeng) is used for reading, writing, and learning in several states of India and also abroad, including:

1. Odisha
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. West Bengal
4. Meghalaya
5. Nagaland
6. Arunachal Pradesh
7. Assam
8. Tripura
9. Purbo Banggo (Bangladesh)

---

Writer & Publisher

B. Gabriel Boya
Gumuda, District Rayagada
Odisha – PIN: 765024

Mobile: 9438202863
Lakki: 7077504305
Home: 8457092585, 7008706586

---

Historical Information

Amal Savara Script Established: 18 June 1936

Registration: 1860–7199–198
Bharat: 1601001480

Koraput Mallia Gomango
15 May 1868 – 17 June 1935

S. P. Mangai
16 June 1916 – 16 June 2016

Teacher: Faguny Roiyto
Phone: 09957917489

---

Printed By

Sri Akshara Brahma Yuva Nirmana Seva Sangam (H.O.)
Nawgada, Seethampeta Mandal,
Srikakulam District

K. Kameswara Rao
Phone: 09550376014

S. Papa Rao
Phone: 9908382149

 

SAVARA BHASHA PRASARAN INTERNATIONAL

Representatives and Contributors for Sompeng Script

1. Odisha – Odia to Sompeng

Bharto Sabar
📞 Phone: 7377292580

2. Andhra Pradesh – Telugu to Sompeng

Gangarao
📞 Phone: 9550720115

Kamesh
📞 Phone: 9550376014
📧 Email: kamsweraraok2@gmail.com

Dasudev
📞 Phone: 9494156492

Sanjay Ram
📧 Email: sanjayramn@gmail.com

3. West Bengal – Hindi to Sompeng

Birsing Sabar
📞 Phone: 9800249502

4. Assam – Assamese to Sompeng

Teacher Faguni Roitto
📞 Phone: 9613647328

5. Meghalaya – English to Sompeng

Luckymaya
📞 Phone: 8014562934

Anidra
📞 Phone: 9856912975

6. Tripura – Bangla to Sompeng

Deepak Bhill
📞 Phone: 9862747847

Dulal
📞 Phone: 8414040286

Pratima Bhill
📞 Phone: 8447622319

7. Arunachal Pradesh

Rumila
📞 Phone: 9577990741

8. Purbo Bongo, Bangladesh

Porimol Kumar Bhim
📧 Email: porimolkumar@gmail.com

9. Nagaland

Kumud Duloni
📍 Kohima

---

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY ACTION FOR SAVARA LANGUAGE AND SCRIPT

Questions Raised in the Parliament of India

Dr. Giridhar Gomango
Former Member of Parliament, Koraput
Former Chief Minister

Important Parliamentary Questions and Initiatives

1. Development of Savara Script and Language
   (XXIII – 19-03-1979)

2. Release of Grants for the Development of Saura Script and Language
   (VI – 07-07-1980)

3. Tribal Languages with Scripts
   (XXXVI – 24-03-1983)

4. Development of Tribal Languages and Scripts
   (XLIX – 02-08-1984)

5. Implementation of the Education Commission (1964–66): Recommendations Regarding Tribal Languages and Scripts
   (XXIV – 26-03-1979)

6. Language and Script of Savara Tribes of Orissa
   (XVIII – 28-08-1978)

7. Written Languages in India
   (XXVI – 23-04-1979)

8. NCERT Publications in Tribal Languages
   (XLVII – 08-12-1983)

9. Publication of Books in Savara Language
   (XLVII – 12-04-1984)

10. Scheduled Tribal Languages
    (VII – 30-07-1980)

11. Promotion of Tribal Languages
    (XVIII – 28-08-1981)

12. Identification of Tribal Languages
    (XXII – 10-12-1981)

13. Savara Tribal Language
    (XXII – 10-12-1981)

14. Selection of Tribal Villages
    (VII – 02-08-1985)

15. Savara Script Development with Financial Assistance under Article 275

16. Development and Preservation of Tribal Dialects and Languages
    (XII – 27-03-1978)

17. Documentary Films on Tribal Communities
    (XVIII – 18-08-1981)

18. Broadcast of Tribal Language Songs and Music on AIR, Jeypore, Orissa
    (XX – 13-12-1978)

19. Scripts of Savara and Santhal Languages
    (XXVIII – 07-05-1973)

20. Production of Films on Tribal Culture
    (XXXVII – 26-04-1983)

21. Development of Tribal Languages
    (VI – 16-05-1985)

22. Grants for the Development of Tribal Dialects and Languages
    (V – 02-05-1985)

23. Development of the Languages of Savara and Santhal Tribes
    (VIII – 08-08-1995)

24. Schemes and Programmes for Tribal Dance and Music
    (XLIII – 18-12-1953)

GOMANG S . P Mangai–B.16.06.1916

  

S. P. Mangai Gomango

Inventor of the Sora Sompeng Script

S. P. Mangai Gomango
Date of Birth: 16 June 1916

Education: Form IV (1935)
Family: One son and two daughters.

Activities

S. P. Mangai Gomango took a keen interest in research work for the upliftment of Adivasi communities. After long and strenuous efforts, he developed a script for the Savara (Sora) language. He devoted himself to promoting and spreading literacy in the Savara language through this indigenous writing system.

Address: Morehinda, Padmapur, Gunupur Taluk.

Historical references to S. P. Mangai Gomango include entries in industrial and commercial directories published in Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, during 1954–55.

---

Adivasi Script Invented by S. P. Mangai

Savara Language and Adivasi Script

The indigenous script for the Savara language was invented by S. P. Mangai Gomango.

Publications relating to the script were issued by:

Matharvanam Vigyana Prachar Ashram
Marichaguda, Odisha

The work received financial support and approval from the Central Government of India, New Delhi.

S. P. Mangai Gomango was honoured with an award by the Odisha Sahitya Akademi on 30 March 1969.

---

The Savara People and Their Language

The Savara-speaking people primarily live in the hilly regions of the Eastern Ghats, particularly in the Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Speakers of the Savara language also live in the hilly areas of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.

In Odisha, Savara communities are found in the districts of:

• Koraput
• Kalahandi
• Mayurbhanj
• Balasore
• Cuttack
• Ganjam
• Gajapati

According to the 2001 Census, the Savara population in Andhra Pradesh was 122,979.

According to the 2011 Census, the total literacy rate among the Savara community was reported as 13.68%.

---

Indigenous Scripts of the Munda Languages

There are three scripts that were created specifically for writing Munda languages:

1. Sora Sompeng – for the Savara (Sora) language
2. Ol Chiki – for the Santali language
3. Warang Citi – for the Ho language

These three scripts are not visually similar and are not derived from a common script. They were independently created by influential community leaders to replace or supplement non-native writing systems.

Reference: Norman Zide

---

History of Sora Sompeng

The Savara language has also been written using an IPA-based system developed by Christian missionaries. In the early twentieth century, different writing systems were proposed for the language.

During the 1930s, there was disagreement within the community regarding which writing system was best suited to the Savara language. In response to this situation, Mangai Gomango, the son-in-law of an influential Savara leader, introduced the Sora Sompeng script in 1936.

Savara tradition states that the script itself is a divine incarnation of the deity known as Akshara Brahma.

Other scholars have suggested that some letter shapes may have been influenced by Latin or IPA letters, while certain additional loops may have been influenced by Telugu writing.

---

Origin and Development of the Sora Sompeng Script

Savara Pandit S. P. Mangai Gomango developed an indigenous script for the Savara language. The script consists of 25 letters and was developed at Marichaguda, Padmapur Block, Gunupur Sub-Division, Rayagada District, Odisha.

Sora Sompeng is also known by alternative names such as:

• Matar Banom
• Akshara Brahma
• Madi Brahma

The script is believed to have been developed around 1935–36. Its final form emerged after approximately two years of development.

S. P. Mangai Gomango compiled stories, grammar books, astrology books, and historical works about the Savara tribe using the Sora Sompeng script.

Some of these works were published by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, in 1976.

The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Seethampeta, Srikakulam District, has conducted training programmes to help Savara people learn the script. Storybooks and primers using the script have also been developed for primary school students.

---

References

• Norman Zide. 1996. Scripts for Munda Languages. In Peter T. Daniels and William Bright (Eds.), The World's Writing Systems. Oxford University Press, New York.
• Peter T. Daniels and William Bright. The World's Writing Systems. Oxford University Press, New York.
• Ramamurti, G. V. English-Sora Dictionary. Madras: Government Press.
• Ramamurti, G. V. Telugu-Savara Dictionary. Director of Public Instruction.
• Ramamurti, G. V. 1938 (Reprint: 1986). English-Sora Dictionary. New Delhi: Mittal Publications.
• Sankar Reddy, M. 1993. Savara Language Book. Goyidi, Srikakulam: Janachetana.
• Sankar Reddy. 1997. Savara Jivana Vijnana Akambol (Savara Life Educative Book). Goyidi: Janachetana. First Edition.
• S. P. Mangai Gomango. 1976. Matar Banom.

---

Source: suryphotos.blogspot.com

SAVARALEEPI

Syllabic Alphabets / Abugidas

Ahom, Akuru, Badaga, Balinese, Batak, Baybayin, Burmese (Tagalog), Bengali, Bima, Black, Brahmi, Buhid, Carrier, Chakma, Cham, Cree, Dehong Dai, Devanagari, Dives, Ethiopic, Evela, Fraser, Gondi, Grantha, Gujarati, Gupta, Gadaba Script, Gurmukhi, Horizontal Square Script, Hmong, Inuktitut, Javanese, Kaithi, Kannada, Kawi, Kharosthi, Khmer, Khojki, Kulitan, Kurux, Lampung, Lanna, Lao, Lepcha, Limbu, Lontara, Makasar, Malayalam, Manipuri, Mandi, Mongolian, Mro, New, Ojibwe, Odia, Ol Chiki, Pahawh, Pallava, Phags-pa, Ranjana, Redjang, Sasak, Sateré Jontal, Shan, Sharda, Siddham, Sindhi, Sinhala, Sora Sompeng, Sourashtra, Soyombo, Sundanese, Syloti Nagari, Tagbanwa, Takri, Tamil, Thai, Tibetan, Tigalari (Tulu), Tikamuli, Tocharian, Tolong Siki, Varang Kshiti.

     

SORA LANGUAGE ADIVASI SCRIPT – INDIA

Regd. No.: 1860–7199–198
Bharat – 1601001480, Koraput

Affiliated Organizations

1. Mattar Banom Vigyana Prachar Ashram, Marichaguda
   (India – Central Government of India, New Delhi)

2. Soura Script Development Association (SSCDA), Gunupur
   Rayagada, Odisha.

3. Savara Cultural Association (SCA)
   Registered under S.R. Act XXI, dated 18-08-1999.
   Regd. No.: 681/15/1999–2000

4. Mattar Banom Vigyana Damri Selum (MBVDS), Ganaiti (Ghanantri)
   District: Rayagada
   Regd. No.: 718/52/1999–2000
   Ramo Sabor – Ph: +91 78652 186

5. Mattar Banom Sorajnirat Jarlinguda, Radhanatho
   Ph: +91 78935 189

6. M. Larmrdir Selum, Krushno Sabar, Bedara

7. Sabaram Sanskriti Cultural Team (SSC), Karandiguda
   P.O.: Kataki
   Via: Ramanaguda
   District: Rayagada, Odisha, India
   Ph: +91 94379 22536

8. All Assam Sawra Samaj (ASS)
   Established: 03-11-1979

9. Tripura Sora Samaj (TSS)
   Established: 1952
   Re-established: 19-12-2005

10. All Bengal Soura Samaj (ABSS)
    Established: 11-11-2011

11. Ghatia Sabar Samaj (GSS)
    Ghatia T.E. Unit, Nagarkata
    District: Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
    Established: 25-12-2011

SAVARALEEPI

     He created such a new pulsation among the Soura people of the Gunupur region that his fellowmen regarded him as an angel who had come to save a declining primitive society. It is true that he is no more today, but by following his teachings, many Souras became educated and gave up the slaughtering of animals and the drinking of country liquor in order to build a healthy society and environment.

The creator of the Sora script, Mangai Gomango, was not a linguist. Born into an ordinary Soura family, he left such an invaluable asset to his community that he shall be remembered for all time to come. Although there are some errors in this script, when viewed from the perspective of phonetic theory, it is not entirely unscientific. According to the linguist Dr. Khageswar Mahapatra, “It is not only a script but also a symbol of the spiritual, social, and cultural awakening of the Soura community as a whole.” None but Mangai deserves all the credit for this achievement.

S. P. Mangai Gomango gave the following statement regarding the origin of the script:

The Savara people used to worship ‘Daru Brahma’ (the Wooden Form of God). But when Lalita, the Savara princess, fell in love with a Brahmin and revealed to him the secrets of this worship, the Brahmin won over the Lord. The Lord vanished and no longer responded to the prayers of the Savara people.

Then the Savaras said, “Wonderful! You do not listen to me, nor do you respond to me. But you listen to the Brahmin, who is an outsider. Alright, I say, from today I will offer you only blood and liquor. When you come back to us again and teach us to become wise and good, we will worship you then with due sanctity.”

The Savara people took such a resolution, and since then they began sacrificing cocks, goats, buffaloes, and, according to tradition, even human beings during certain rituals. They worshipped and paid obeisance, and then poured blood and liquor upon the deity.

However, after many days, at the end of the Kali Yuga, the Lord came back and said:

“Now I have come to you, not as Daru Brahma, but as ‘Akshara Brahma’—the Alphabetic Form of God. Worship me in this form. I will be visible on the Matter Banom Vijyana Hills.”

The Savara then went there and saw the twenty-four letters appearing in his vision. A shrine was subsequently built on that site, and from that day onwards, the worship of ‘Akshara Brahma’ commenced.

Mangai thus spiritualised his invention of the Sora script and established a new religious order designated as ‘Mattar Banom Dmreen’—a religion that opens the eyes and makes people good and wise. His script, symbolising the Akshara Brahma, is enshrined on a hill near Marichaguda, about 20 kilometres from the nearest town of Gunupur.

The image is in the shape of ‘OM’ in the Odia character, having the 24 letters, 9 numerals, and a crest inscribed on it. During the past forty years, Mangai proselytised a considerable number of his tribesmen and established sub-centres throughout the Sora-speaking tracts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

In many villages, regular evening schools have been established to make people literate in the script. Particularly in the areas around Padampur, Gunupur, and the villages surrounding Marichaguda and Dombasara, literacy has spread to a recognizable extent. The script is, in fact, being used for intra-community communication and literary activities.

AKSHARABRAHMMA

       There were also no specific guidelines regarding the syllabus or textbooks for different classes. Only the books of scripture were used. Moral education, arithmetic, and grammar were taught. Certificates bearing the signatures of the President, Secretary, and the teacher of the “Mattar Banom Vigyana Prachar Asharam” were awarded to the qualifying students.

Mangai Gomango himself was an educated person. For the development of his community, he introduced a script so that the backward Soura community would not lag behind in the march of time and civilization in this modern era. He fought day and night to root out age-old prejudices and superstitions from his community. He won the hearts of the people by sharing in their sorrows and happiness.

He knew both astrology and mantras, which also helped him gain the confidence of his tribesmen. He prepared herbal medicines from indigenous roots and herbs and cured people of many diseases. Again, using “JHODA PHUKA” (a primitive magical-religious curative practice using “mantras”), he was able to inspire belief in the minds of his people. As a result, people loved and respected him.

He campaigned against the tradition of ritual animal sacrifice and the consumption of country liquor among his tribesmen. He travelled from village to village to propagate his script and social reforms, crossing remote mountainous regions and densely wooded Soura country for the betterment of his community.

He used to stop his journey wherever night fell and ate whatever food was available there. Eventually, he became known as the “Sora Guru.” He used to write with pen and paper wherever he stayed. Even today, many of his manuscripts are preserved in the houses of Soura people. These manuscripts are full of advice and guidance for his Soura brothers and sisters.

SAVARA SABARAMKLAYNAMI

        In the year 1965, he travelled to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, where he contacted the “Inter Press” to arrange for the printing of books in his script. At first, the letters were printed using stone blocks. However, mistakes were found in some letters. Therefore, Mangai made certain changes and corrections.

During this time, a Soura language book named “SABARAMKLAYNAMI” was published by the “Swatantra Art Press” in Vijayawada.

Instead of printing books outside, Mangai became interested in publishing them through a press of his own. At this time, several personalities came forward to help Mangai and offered donations.

With financial support from Nilanber Sabar (Ghanatri), Bisa Sabar (Adlasa), Suku Sabar (Bamuri Dangar), Narasingha Sabar (Dambsara), and Pechang Sabar (Dambsara), Mangai went to Srikakulam in 1966 to purchase a printing machine. Eventually, he purchased an old printing machine from “Rama Press.” However, he could not obtain a licence to start his own press.

Still, Mangai did not lose patience. Later, in the years 1972–73, he obtained a licence. Pechang Sabar donated a piece of land at Dambsara to establish the printing press. At first, only letters were printed. Later, primers, religious books, and history books were also published.

In total, 23 books were printed, and Mangai was the author of all these books. The published books were distributed free of cost among the Soura people. The publication of these books in their own language inspired new thinking and created a new consciousness among them.

In the year 1976, for the first time, a Sora school was established in Marichaguda village. It was named “Matter Banom Bigyan Prachar Asharam.” Later, many more schools were established in different Soura villages. Many educated Souras taught voluntarily in these schools.

All the Soura people came forward with great enthusiasm for the development of their own religion and culture. Many schools were opened not only in Odisha but also in different parts of the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh.

However, there was no specific curriculum in these schools.

Sri Aasharabramma

Small gates are found in it. According to the Sauras, these gates are named after the three Hindu supreme Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara.

The news of the invention of the Soura script by Mangai Gomango created a great stir among the Soura society. Traveling from village to village, he tried to create awareness among the people. However, the Soura people, who had been living in darkness for generations, did not accept it easily. From Gunupur to Gudari, many Gamangos opposed him. Still, Mangai Gomango remained devoted to his mission and never gave up.

He explained to all those he knew that, in the absence of their own script, their language would eventually perish. Slowly but steadily, his message reached his tribesmen. Based on this script, a new religious sect was formed under the name “Mattar Banom Damdree.”

The followers of this new religion were encouraged to give up the use of country liquor and animal sacrifice before God. In one way, it contributed to their economic upliftment, and in another, it created awareness among them to become better human beings.

In the beginning, Mangai Gomango propagated these principles verbally. Those who were initiated by him tried to lead disciplined lives. This newly invented script was then linked to the new religion, and thus it gradually gained acceptance among the people.

Everyone believed that “Daru Brahma” had returned in the form of “Akshara Brahma.” Mangai Gomango devoted himself day and night to propagating it. From 1936 to 1952, he spread his message mainly through verbal communication and by writing in small pocket notebooks. However, it was not possible to provide handwritten books to all Soura brothers and sisters. Therefore, he began searching for a permanent solution.

THE FATHER OF SORA SCRIFT SORAN SOMPENG

THE FATHER OF SORA SCRIPT – SORAN SOMPENG

Orissa is a wonderland of marvelous art, craft, architecture, culture, traditions, languages, and many great personalities. A number of poets, philosophers, and social thinkers were born in this holy land and passed away, leaving behind great deeds that have made them immortal. Sora Pandit Mangai Gomango, the inventor of the Sora script, is one of those great personalities.

There are sixty-two categories of Scheduled Tribes living in different parts of Orissa. Among them, the Sabaras or Soras are one of the prominent tribal communities, living in almost every corner of Orissa. However, they are found in large numbers in Gajapati District and the Gunupur Sub-Division of Rayagada District.

They have their own language called “Sora,” which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. The script of this language, “Soran Sompeng,” was invented in the year 1936. Inspired by religious and nationalistic feelings, Mangai Gomango, a learned person from the Sora community, went into meditation for 21 days in the forest adjoining his village, Marichaguda. During this period, he saw a script in his dream, which he believed to be a divine gift for the Sabaras.

According to Sora tradition, their legendary “Daru Devata” reappeared in the form of “Akshara Brahma.” The letters of Akshara Brahma symbolize the 24 important deities of their religion, which together form the Sora script, known as “Soran Sompeng.” The term “Soran Sompeng” means the phonetic alphabet of the Sora people.

The stone on which the script was first revealed has become a place of pilgrimage for the Sora community. In the idol of Akshara Brahma, twenty-four syllables, numbers up to twelve, and a symbol of wisdom are arranged in the shape of the Odia letter “Om.” All these letters were kept hidden inside a temple made of cement.

There are three