Education
In 1914 he also completed the translation of the Bible into the Santali language. Paul Olaf Bodding had studied theology at the university of Oslo.
linguist Missionary theologian
In 1914 he also completed the translation of the Bible into the Santali language. Paul Olaf Bodding had studied theology at the university of Oslo.
He served in India for 44 years (1889–1933), and operated mainly from the town Dumka in the Santhal Parganas-district. Bodding created the first alphabet and wrote the first grammar for the Santali-speaking native people in eastern India. He was a celebrated scientist, and he is still well known among the santals living in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam as well as in Bangladesh and the Scandinavian countries.
Skrefsrud was born just outside the neighbouring town Lillehammer, in Oppland, Norway.
A monument to Bodding stands in front of Gjøvik church in Norway. The main picture shows Bodding in Benagaria, India.