Veer Pratap Murmu

Veer Pratap Murmu (born 5 October 1966) is an Indian Santali writer, translator, social worker and government school teacher from Jharkhand, India. He received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize in 2023 for his Santali translation Kira of Munshi Premchand's Hindi novel Pratigya.^[1][2][3]

Veer Pratap Murmu was born on 5 October 1966 in Fufardi Baredih village under Rajnagar block in the Saraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand, India.^[1][2] He grew up in a Santali-speaking family and developed an early interest in Santali language and literature.

Murmu completed his postgraduate education and later joined government service as a primary school teacher.^[1] Alongside his teaching career, he continued his literary activities and remained actively involved in cultural and social initiatives in his region.^[4]

Murmu began writing in 1987 during his college years.^[1] His poems, essays and literary writings were published in Santali magazines such as Hor-Dhar and Sovornarekha.^[1] His writings primarily focus on Santali language, literature and society.

Apart from writing, he has also been associated with various cultural and social organisations in Jharkhand. He has held positions in local committees including Jaherthan committees and Santali cultural organisations.^{[1] [5][6]}

Murmu has also been involved in environmental work and reportedly undertook tree plantation drives in his village and surrounding areas.^[1]

Murmu received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize in 2023 for his Santali translation Kira, based on Munshi Premchand’s Hindi novel Pratigya.^[1][2][3] The award is given annually by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, to recognise outstanding translation in recognised Indian languages.

His translation was recognised for making a significant Hindi literary work accessible to Santali readers and contributing to the enrichment of Santali literature.^[2]