Languages in Nabarangpur
Nabarangpur District in Odisha is home to a diverse mix of communities, and this diversity is reflected in the languages spoken across the region. People in the district actively use several languages in their daily lives. Among the most commonly spoken languages are Odia, Bhatri, and Bengali. Each language contributes to the district’s cultural identity and social harmony.
Odia
Odia is the official language of Nabarangpur District. The majority of the population speaks Odia for both formal and informal communication. Schools, government offices, and public services use Odia as the primary language of instruction and administration. People in towns, villages, and marketplaces rely on Odia to interact with each other.
Odia media, including newspapers, radio, and television, reaches households across the district. The widespread use of the language connects Nabarangpur with the rest of the state and strengthens the sense of regional identity among the people.
Bhatri
Many tribal communities in Nabarangpur speak Bhatri, a local dialect that holds great cultural value. The Bhatri language belongs to the Eastern Indo-Aryan group and closely resembles Odia in structure and vocabulary, but it has unique words and expressions.
Tribal families use Bhatri as their mother tongue and pass it down from generation to generation through stories, songs, and daily conversations. In rural and forested areas, Bhatri continues to play a key role in preserving local traditions and knowledge. Community members actively promote the language in cultural events and village festivals.
Bengali
A section of Nabarangpur’s population speaks Bengali, especially among families who migrated from West Bengal or neighboring regions. These communities have settled in the district over the years and continue to use Bengali at home and in cultural gatherings.
Bengali-speaking people maintain their language through literature, festivals like Durga Puja, and community activities. While they also speak Odia fluently for wider communication, they proudly preserve their mother tongue in daily life.
Conclusion
Nabarangpur District showcases a beautiful example of linguistic diversity and coexistence. People here actively speak Odia, Bhatri, and Bengali, each adding to the district’s cultural richness. By embracing multiple languages, the district promotes unity, respect, and cultural pride among its people.
Statistics
According to the 2011 Census, 68.64% of Nabarangpur’s population reported Odia as their mother tongue, followed by Bhatri at 7.12%, Gondi at 4.50%, Bengali at 4.41%, Chhattisgarhi at 4.28%, Desia at 2.49%, Halbi at 1.90%, Kui at 1.57%, and Kuvi at 1.40%. Among the major Odia dialects spoken in the district are Desia and Bhatri.