In an age when languages across the world are vanishing at an alarming pace, a monumental literary effort from Kolkata has emerged as a beacon of preservation and pride. Wing Commander Dr. Ranjit Kumar Mandal (Retd.), former Joint Director of Education in the Indian Air Force, has authored an extraordinary volume titled Phrases, Idioms and Riddles of Rajbanshi Language: Rajbanshi Chilkas and Solloks in English and Bengali Verses—a work that stands as one of the most comprehensive documentations of Rajbanshi linguistic heritage to date.
Spanning 824 pages across six meticulously curated chapters, the tri-lingual volume presents a remarkable collection of 2,500 Rajbanshi Chilkas and Solloks. Rendered in Rajbanshi, Bengali, and English—with English serving as the principal narrative language—the book bridges communities, geographies, and generations. It is not merely a compilation, but a carefully structured literary archive that captures the poetic soul and intellectual richness of a language with a recorded history stretching back over thirteen centuries.
The Chilkas, short couplets reminiscent of the timeless dohas of Kabir, function as linguistic ornaments within the Rajbanshi tradition. Compact yet profound, they embody moral teachings, satire, humor, and reflections of everyday life. Dr. Mandal elevates these poetic forms further by presenting dialogues between two speakers using Chilkas in practical conversation, illustrating how these couplets continue to breathe within lived experience rather than existing as relics of the past.
Equally captivating are the Solloks—riddles that have long served as both entertainment and educational tools. Dedicated to this fascinating literary form, the sixth chapter explores their cultural significance and intellectual depth. Through Roman transliteration supported by phonetic markers, word meanings, contextual interpretations, and parallel English and Bengali verse renderings composed by the author himself, the book transforms oral tradition into accessible scholarship. Even one-line and two-word Chilkas are thoughtfully demonstrated within English and Bengali sentence structures, showcasing their adaptability across linguistic frameworks.
The Rajbanshi language, spoken by nearly six crore people across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, remains deeply rooted in regions such as West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Despite its association with a powerful ruling dynasty—whose legacy still echoes through the grand palace of Cooch Behar and through figures such as Maharani Gayatri Devi—Rajbanshi gradually lost its official recognition nearly two centuries ago. Today, it survives vibrantly in speech and cultural practice, even though it does not possess a standardized script and is written in different scripts across regions and countries.
Yet, the narrative is far from one of decline. In recent years, scholarly and community-driven initiatives have sparked renewed interest in reviving Rajbanshi. Academic programs in eight universities across West Bengal and Assam now offer structured study of the language, and University of Delhi is expected to introduce Rajbanshi studies soon. This resurgence aligns with global concerns articulated by the United Nations and UNESCO, both of which emphasize that the extinction of languages leads to irreversible loss of cultural memory and civilizational diversity. Their call to ensure that “no language is left out” resonates deeply with Dr. Mandal’s endeavor.
By choosing English as the principal language of narration, Dr. Mandal has ensured that Rajbanshi literature reaches beyond regional and national boundaries. His work not only preserves but also globalizes a linguistic tradition that has endured for over a millennium. It invites scholars, students, linguists, and cultural enthusiasts worldwide to engage with Rajbanshi thought, metaphor, and philosophy.
In recognition of his remarkable literary contribution, Wing Commander Dr. Mandal was conferred the Barman Foundation Sahitya Samman Award on 31 January 2026 in Kolkata—an honor that acknowledges not just an individual author, but a lifelong commitment to cultural preservation.
At a time when many indigenous languages stand on fragile ground, this volume emerges as both archive and anthem. It is a scholarly resource, a cultural testament, and above all, a heartfelt tribute to a language that continues to echo across centuries. Through this monumental work, Rajbanshi does not merely survive—it speaks, sings, and asserts its rightful place in the world’s linguistic heritage.
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