‘Simple living, high thinking’… this saying doesn’t fit in the 21st century. The main reason behind this is money. Today man is running after only and only money, but there is such a person in this country who, despite being capable, keeps himself far away from this illusion of wealth and wealth.
Sahib! I do not have money to come to Delhi, please send the award (Padma Shri) by post. The person who said this was the famous folk poet of Odisha Haldhar Nag, who received the ‘Padma Shri Award’ from the Government of India for his contribution in the field of literature in the year 2016.
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Let us know what is so special about Haldhar Nag?
That was 5 years ago. When Haldhar Nag, wearing a white dhoti, gamchha and vest, came barefoot to receive the ‘Padma Shri Award’ from President Pranab Mukherjee, everyone’s eyes were torn apart on seeing him. During this, there was a debate on the news channels of the country that why a capable person is compelled to live such a life.
Who is Haldhar Nag?
Haldhar Nag, 71, who hails from Odisha, is a famous poet of ‘Kosli Bhasha’. He was born in 1950 in a poor family of Bargarh district of Odisha. After the death of his parents at the age of just 10, he left his studies in the third grade. Living the life of an orphan, he spent many years in a dhaba cleaning the dirty utensils.
After this, Haldhar Nag worked as a cook in a local school for 16 years. After a few years he took a loan of 1000 rupees from the bank and made a small copy, book, pen and pencil etc. in front of the school. Opened a shop. With this, he kept on making his living for many years. During this he kept writing something or the other and he did not let his passion for writing die.
In 1990, Haldhar Nag wrote his first poem ‘Dhodo Bargach’ (The Old Banyan Tree). Along with this poem, he sent his 4 other poems for publication in a local magazine and all his works were published. After this, the process of his writing which started, continues till date.
Nag says, ‘It was a matter of great honor for me and this incident encouraged me to write more. After this, I started reciting my poems to the people by going to the villages around me. During this I also got positive response from people.
I remember everything that has been written till date.
The most important thing about Haldhar Nag is that he remembers all the poems written by him till date, apart from 20 epics. Whatever he writes, he remembers it. You just need to specify the name or subject of the poem. Even today, he remembers every single word written by him.
Nag says: I am happy that the younger generation is very much interested in the poems written in ‘Kosli Bhasha’. In my view, it is very important for poetry to be related to real life and to have a social message in it.
Popularly known as ‘Lok Kavi Ratna’ in Odisha, the themes of Haldhar Nag’s poems are mostly based on nature, society, mythology and religion. He is also ready to promote social reform through his writings.
Let us tell you that today Haldhar Nag is not interested in any identity. A compilation of his writings ‘Haldhar Granthavali-2’ has also been made a part of the curriculum in ‘Sambalpur University’ of Odisha.
