Haldhar Nag

Haldhar Nag Biography

Haldhar Nag is a Sambalpuri poet, social worker and writer from Bargarh, Odisha. Sambalpuri is a spoken language of Odisha. He is a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India by Government of India in 2016. In Odisha he is fondly called "Lok kabi Ratna". He is a recipient of Odisha Living Legend Award, and many other honours. Some of his works have been a part of academic syllabus of Sambalpur University. He lives a very simple life, associated with social life as well as his magical world of poems. He remembers all of his poems and 20 epics by-heart.

Haldhar Nag was born on 31 March 1950 in Ghens, Bargarh, Odisha. He lost his father at a very young age. For the same reason he had to work hard at a young age, to financially support his poor family. He dropped out of class at the age of 8. He did various odd jobs including local dishwasher, cook etc and later opened a small stationery shop nearby the school. He used to sell snacks in streets also, to financially support the family.

Haldhar Nag later got drawn into writing poems. He is also known for memorizing all his written verses, indeed a unique quality. He published the book - Kavyanjali in three volumes. Other major works include – Lokgeet, Samparda, Krushnaguru, Mahasati Urmila, Tara Mandodari, Achhia, Bacchhar, Siri Somalai, Veer Surendra Sai, Karamsani, Prem Paechan and Rasia Kavi. Sambalpur University compiled his works into a single book, Haldar Granthabali-2. Many of his works are used as research subjects by PhD students. He attends three or four meetings every day, where he recites his poems.

Published: January 05, 2020

Updated: January 05, 2020