Legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila was deeply moved upon discovering that one of her songs had served as the catalyst for the development of a written alphabet for an endangered indigenous language in India. The esteemed artist expressed her gratitude for the role her decades-old song, “Tumi Ami Likhi Praner Bornomala,” played in safeguarding the cultural heritage of an indigenous community.
This revelation stemmed from Dhoniram Toto, a member of the Toto community residing in Totopara village near the Bhutan border in India’s West Bengal. Inspired by Runa Laila’s song, Dhoniram embarked on creating a script for the Toto language, which had previously only existed in spoken form, lacking a written alphabet and facing the risk of fading away over time.
Dhoniram Toto’s journey began nearly four decades ago when he heard the word “bornomala” (alphabet) in Runa Laila’s song on the radio, prompting him to question the absence of a written form for the Toto language. Driven by this realization, he dedicated years to research, culminating in the development of the “Toto-Horof” or the “Totviko Alphabet,” a script that now stands as a testament to preserving the linguistic legacy of the Toto community.
His remarkable efforts were recognized with the prestigious Padma Shri, a distinguished civilian honor in India, for his contribution to safeguarding the community’s linguistic heritage. Additionally, another member of the Toto community, Bhakta Toto, has also been instrumental in documenting the language using the Bangla alphabet as part of initiatives aimed at upholding the community’s cultural identity.
For Runa Laila, this narrative underscores the profound impact of music beyond mere entertainment. Reflecting on the unexpected influence of her song, she expressed humility, stating, “To realize that a song can inspire individuals beyond entertainment and contribute to something as culturally significant is truly humbling.”