Haldhar Nag


Dr. Haldhar Nag is a Sambalpuri poet and writer from Bargarh, Odisha, India. Popularly known as "Lok kabi Ratna". He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India by Government of India in 2016. He was born in a poor family of Ghens. He is best known for his work Kavyanjali, an anthology of English translation of Nag's selected poetry which was launched in 2 October 2016. Recently he released his 3rd volume of work on Kavyanjali. In 2019 Haldhar Nag was awarded Doctorate Degree by Sambalpur University.
Sambalpur University is coming up with a compilation of his writings — Haldhar Granthabali-2 — which will be a part of its syllabus.

Early life

He was born in poor family of Ghens in Bargarh district of Odisha. At very small age he lost his only financially capable father due to which he had to do work for his family. He had to drop his school when he was studying in class 3. He had to work as a local dishwasher in a sweetmeat shop to feed his family, realising his condition village head took him to high-school and there he worked as a cook for more than 10 years. He also opened a small stationery shop nearby the school, that too by taking a loan of ₨ 1000.
Though he is a awadee of padmashree which is of the highest award in India, he lives a simple life with just a shop and halker, as his main source of income. He also sells chhana and ghuguni in street.

Literary career

He has been compared to Gangadhar Meher for his Sambalpuri style of writing. The BBC made a documentary film about his life and works.
Dhodo Bargachh was published in a local magazine, which was one of his first Poem. His literary works mostly include a fighter in his own right, social reformation through protecting human dignity.
According to thehindu he was very encouraged by the people who liked his literary work in Sambalpuri style, he said:-
"I was felicitated and that encouraged me to write more,"
-Lok Kabi Ratna.
He is also known for his prolific memory, he can recall all his poems he had written till his last poetry known to people.
He again recalls us, what he believes that....
A man of simple needs, "Poetry must have real-life connection and a message for the people."
His poetry is now considered as a subject of research by five doctoral scholars. Sambalpur University has also compiled his works in a book called Haldar Granthabali-2. In the year 2017, he also received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, from Pranab Mukherjee for his contribution to Odia and Kosli language.

Literary Style

His poetry is based on the issues of daily life such as social issues, nature, religion and fighting oppression.

Works

Some of his works which is still most favoured are:-
Advertising filmmaker and documentary director Bharatbala who aimed to produce 1,000 short films under the banner Virtual Bharat to chronicle the untold stories and where the famous litterateur and film director Sampooran Singh Kalra also known by Gulzar narrated Haldhar nag.
His narration in this short film begins with "I am writing a letter to you Haldhar. Son of the soil of Sambalpur, this Adivasi poet. His language is Kosli."
As part of the series, Gulzar narrated a brief summary about Nag in the appropriately 8 minute long story, in Virtual Bharat which is a collection of short stories about country India in various fields. Gulzar as a token of gift send him ₹50,000.

Research centre

Government of Odisha recently announced that Kosli dialect and literature research centre at Ghens village in Bargarh district will be established soon under his name.