Popularly known as Lok Kabi Ratna, Haldhar Nag is a Sambalpuri poet and writer from Odisha. He was born in a needy family of Ghens in Bargarh district of Odisha in 1950. Losing his father at the age of ten, he dropped out of school due to family responsibilities. Being at the forefront of Sambalpuri language movement for inclusion in the eighth schedule of Constitution, he was awarded Padma Shri by GOI in 2016. In a tête-à-tête with Chaitali Shome of Orissa Post, he threw light on his struggles and accomplishments.
How were the initial days of your struggle?
After the death of my parents, I was orphaned and hence worked as a dishwasher to afford my meals. Later, I worked as a cook in a school hostel for sixteen years. The branch manager of Utkaliya Gramya Bank in our village Santosh Das facilitated a loan of Rs 1000 which enabled me to construct a small kiosk. I was doing well for myself. However, my heart was always with studies. I used to save money for my studies.
What inspired you to pen poetry?
A time came when I noticed that our native Kosli language was neglected in western Odisha. The mother tongue of the homeland of Queen Kushalaya did not get the recognition that it deserved. Two boys from our village invited me to sing in a poetry festival arranged in Gangadhar Meher College in 1990. Numerous people of our village heard my songs and those two boys advised me to write poetry. This prompted me to search for Kabita Prabesh’s, where I read poet Binod Nayak’s poetry pieces relating to human life. His work inspired me to write poetry.
Describe your journey as a poet?
I wrote Dhodo Baragachha which about a Banyan tree. This was published in Art and Artist magazine in the nineties. This inspired me to pen works like Satia Biha, Tara Mandodari, Karam Sani and Rasia Kabi Tulsi Das among others. I was felicitated for these works August 11, 1991 at Sambalpur. I have also written on Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi, Gangadhar Meher and Vir Surendra Sai among other great personalities. My Kavyanjali has been translated into Odia, Hindi, English, Nepali, Bengali and Telegu. My volumes will be included in the syllabus of Sambalpur University with a compilation Haldhar Granthabali-2.
What was your reaction on the news of your selection for Kendriya Sahitya Academy Award?
I am quite pleased for my selection. Besides, Kosli-speaking people from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh are overjoyed too. The Kosli community in Chhattisgarh even celebrate a Haldhar Nite, where several poets of the state recite my works. I along with the people of my village have setup Haldar Bana Vidayala in Tudopalli village forest situated at the border of Odisha and Chhatisgarh. 51 orphan and poor students are residing and studying at the centre.
What accolades have you received so far?
I received Odisha Sahitya Academy Award in 2014 and Padma Shri in 2016. Besides, I have received multiple other awards which I note in my small notebook.