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Charan Hembram Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 22, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth9 February 1952

Age74 Years (as of 2026)

BirthplaceVillage Nungan, Rairangpur, District Mayurbhanj, Odisha

ProfessionSantali Writer; Educationist; Cultural Activist; Composer; Promoter of the Ol Chiki Script

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSurajmani Soren

Charan Hembram Biography

Charan Hembram is a Santali writer, educationist and cultural activist from Mayurbhanj, Odisha, celebrated for his work promoting the Ol Chiki script and S

Early life and background

Charan Hembram was born on 9 February 1952 in the village of Nungan near Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. Raised within Santal community traditions, he grew up immersed in Santali language, music, dance and oral storytelling, influences that shaped his lifelong commitment to tribal education and culture.

Hembram completed his matriculation in 1971 through the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha. He later undertook teacher training in 1977 with the All India Adivasi Socio Educational and Cultural Association (ASECA) in Rairangpur and participated in additional professional and development programs related to teaching, grassroots awareness and development communication.

Career

Hembram built a multidecade career focused on Santali language education, cultural preservation and creative work. He became closely involved with Ol Chiki, the writing system developed for Santali by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, concentrating on methods to help children and young people learn their language through that script.

In 1992 he took on the role of Secretary of the Board of Santali Education, Odisha under ASECA (O), a position he held until 2004. During his tenure the state government appointed Ol Chiki teachers and ASECA strengthened its infrastructure, including inauguration of an ASECA building and reopening of the SEMLED press. Hembram also founded the Ol Chiki Students’ Union to galvanise student interest in their language and schooling.

A major institutional achievement attributed to Hembram is the establishment and affiliation of nearly two thousand Ol Itun Asras across Odisha between 1992 and 2004. These Ol Itun Asras—learning centres for Santali language and script—include named examples such as Biduchandan Ol Itun Asra, Kusumi Sido Kanhu Ol Itun Asra and Neuti J.J.M. Ol Itun Asra.

Beyond formal education, Hembram has been active in Santali theatre and folk performance. He founded and directed several Santal akhras and opera troupes, including Marshal Opera (1988), Ural Usara Marshal Madwa (1989) and J.J.M. Opera Party (1992). As a composer and writer, he produced Santali books written in Ol Chiki, contributed to government publications and literary journals, and composed songs for Santali audio albums.

Hembram has also worked to broaden participation in cultural life, promoting tribal arts and encouraging women’s involvement in indigenous dance traditions and sports. He established a drama stage and formed a women’s football team to create opportunities for tribal women to engage in athletics.

Public profile

Hembram’s work has been recognised through a sequence of awards and honours across decades. Early recognition included Best Adivasi Drama Director (1978) and Best Music Director (1997). He later received multiple community and cultural honours: Guru Gourav Award (2002), Senerenj Guru Award (2004), Guru Shree Award (2004) and the Guru Gomkey Pandit Raghunath Murmu Fellowship (2004). Subsequent titles and recognitions included Santali Sanskritik Guru (2006), Santali Music Guru (2009), Bonosokha (2011), designation as Santal Poet (2012), Chiki Hulgaria (2015) and the Prakruti Bandhu award in 2017 for contributions to nature and environmental work.

In 2018 Hembram was honoured during the 143rd birth anniversary of Birsa Munda for his social and cultural contributions. Most recently, in January 2026 the Government of India recognised him with the Padma Shri in the field of Literature and Education.

Personal life

Charan Hembram is married to Surajmani Soren. He is identified with the Santal community and follows Hinduism. Physically, sources note his black eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. His hometown remains in Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

Latest updates

As of 2026 Hembram is 74 years old and continues to be acknowledged for a lifetime of work in Santali language promotion, education and the performing arts. His long record of institution-building for Ol Chiki education and sustained involvement in theatre, music and community programs remain central to his public reputation.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Charan Hembram, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Padma Shri (Literature and Education)

Honoured by the Government of India in January 2026 for contributions to literature and education.

2026
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Career Highlights

  1. Secretary of the Board of Santali Education, Odisha (ASECA) 1992–2004
  2. Established and affiliated 1,973 Ol Itun Asras across Odisha (1992–2004)
  3. Founder and director of multiple Santal akhras and opera groups (Marshal Opera, Ural Usara Marshal Madwa, J.J.M. Opera Party)
  4. Author and composer of Santali works in Ol Chiki
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Charan Hembram born?

Charan Hembram was born on 9 February 1952.

What is Charan Hembram known for?

Charan Hembram is known for santali Writer; Educationist; Cultural Activist; Composer; Promoter of the Ol Chiki Script.

What is Charan Hembram’s marital status?

Charan Hembram's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Charan Hembram married to?

Charan Hembram is publicly listed as married to Surajmani Soren.