Alankar and Aesthetic Expression in Santali Poetry

Santali literature originates in a rich oral heritage of folk songs, myths, and rhymes . This study investigates how Santali poets employ f igurative devices (metaphor, simile, alliteration, etc.) and sound-patterns in poetry. Ethnographic insights (including notions of Bhenta katha or “twisted speech”) are used to interpret native aesthetic concepts. We find that Santali poetry creatively integrates classical tropes within its own aesthetic framework – for example, using nature-based metaphors and onomatopoeic expressives to evoke rasa – while also exhibiting unique features (like pervasive echo-words) inherited from its oral tradition . This study provides a foundational survey of Santali poetic ornaments, situating them within the broader context of Indian literary aesthetics. Santali poetry, a vital component of Santali literature, reflects the culture, tradition, and collective consciousness of the Santals. Like other Indian literatures, Santali poetry also employs various literary devices to enrich its aesthetic value and expressive power. Among them, Alankar (figure of speech) plays a crucial role in shaping the rhythm, beauty, and emotional depth of poetic expression. This study explores the presence and function of Alankar in Santali poetry, focusing on how metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration, and imagery are used to portray the natural environment, social life, rituals, and philosophical ideas of the Santals. The research aims to highlight the uniqueness of Santali poetics while situating it within the broader tradition of Indian literary aesthetics.