Lako Bodra
Creator of the Warang Chiti writing system for the Ho language.
Lako Bodra (19 September 1919 – 29 June 1986) devised the Warang Chiti script, which is used to write the Ho language. He was born in the village of Paseya, located in the Khutpani Block of West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, into a modest, devout family. His parents were Lebeya and Jano Kui Bodra. He began his schooling at Badchom Hatu primary school, then moved to Purueya primary school, where he completed eighth grade. After that, his parents sent him to live with his maternal uncle in Chakradharpur, where he entered ninth grade at Grammar High School. He continued his studies in Chaibasa, enrolling in matriculation at District High School. Following that, with assistance from Jaipal Singh, he went to Jalandhar, Punjab, and graduated in Homeopathy from Jalandhar City College.
After finishing his education, Bodra returned home and took a job as a clerk with Indian Railways, stationed at Danguwapasi. While working there, he created the Warang Chiti alphabet. To promote it, he founded the Adi Samaj (Dupub Huda) in Jodapokhar, Jhinkpani, with the help of Mr. Mahati Bandara. The group held its meetings in a house within the ACC cement plant colony in Jhinkpani, and people from nearby villages came to learn the Warang Chiti script through the Adi Samaj.
- born
- 19 September 1919
- died
- 29 June 1986
- field
- Writing system inventor
- nationality
- Indian
- known_for
- Creator of the Warang Chiti writing system for the Ho language
Lore & Background
Lako Bodra was born on 19 September 1919 in Paseya village, Khutpani Block, West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, to Lebeya and Jano Kui Bodra. He began his primary education at Badchom Hatu primary school, then attended Purueya primary school, completing 8th class. He was then sent to his maternal uncle's home in Chakradharpur, where he was admitted to Grammar High School in 9th class. After completing 9th class, he went to Chaibasa for further studies and took admission in matriculation at District High School, Chaibasa. With the help of Jaipal Singh, he moved to Jalandhar, Punjab, and attended Jalandhar city college, graduating in Homeopathy.
After completing his education, he returned home and got a job in Indian Railways as a clerk, posted to Danguwapasi. During his railway job, he invented the Warang Chiti alphabet. To spread it, he created Adi Samaj (Dupub Huda) in Jodapokhar, Jhinkpani, with the help of Mr. Mahati Bandara. Adi Samaj meetings were held in a house in the ACC cement plant colony in Jhinkpani, and nearby village people came to become literate in Warang Chiti.
Reader's Guide
Lako Bodra's significance lies in his creation of the Warang Chiti writing system, which provides a script for the Ho language, an indigenous language of eastern India. His work emerged from his background as a railway clerk and his education in homeopathy, reflecting a personal initiative to preserve and promote his community's linguistic heritage. The establishment of Adi Samaj (Dupub Huda) in Jodapokhar, Jhinkpani, served as a grassroots literacy movement, with meetings held in a cement plant colony house. This effort enabled nearby villagers to learn the script, contributing to the cultural identity of the Ho people. Bodra's legacy is tied to the ongoing use of Warang Chiti, which remains a symbol of linguistic autonomy and cultural revival for the Ho community.
Did You Know?
- Lako Bodra invented the Warang Chiti alphabet while working as a clerk for Indian Railways.
- He graduated in Homeopathy from Jalandhar city college.
- He created Adi Samaj (Dupub Huda) in Jodapokhar, Jhinkpani, with help from Mr. Mahati Bandara.
- Adi Samaj meetings were held in a house in the ACC cement plant colony in Jhinkpani.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lako Bodra?
Lako Bodra was an Indian inventor of writing systems, born on 19 September 1919 in Jharkhand and remembered primarily for devising the Warang Chiti script to serve the Ho language.
What did Lako Bodra create and why does it matter?
He designed the Warang Chiti writing system, giving the Ho language a dedicated script of its own rather than relying on borrowed alphabets. This made written Ho more accessible and culturally distinct for its speakers.
Where was Lako Bodra born and raised?
He came into the world in the small village of Paseya, within the Khutpani Block of West Singhbhum, Jharkhand. He grew up in a modest, devout household under his parents Lebeya and Jano Kui Bodra.
What was Lako Bodra's educational path?
He started at Badchom Hatu primary school, then finished eighth grade at Purueya primary school. His parents later sent him to his maternal uncle in Chakradharpur, where he began ninth grade at Grammar High School, and he continued studying in Chaibasa.
When did Lako Bodra die?
He passed away on 29 June 1986, living to the age of 66. His legacy endures through the Warang Chiti script, which remains in use for writing Ho today.
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