Who is Haldar Nag? A class 3-drop out, a nature poet and Padma Shri recipient

Education is not restricted to books and fame? Certainly not! Meet Haldar Nag, the gem of a poet from Odisha who bagged the Padma Shri for his literature in Kosli language. A class 3-drop out, his works now form the basis of five research scholars.

A close associate of the poet said,"He remembers whatever he writes and has been reciting them. You just need to mention the name or subject. He never misses anything. Now he attends at least three to four programmes every day to recite his poems."

Nag had to drop out of school after the death of his father. He worked as a cook for 16 years before a school was built in his area. Here, he built a stationary shop for the school students.

It is during this period that he wrote his first poem ‘Dhodo Bargachh' (The Old Banyan Tree). He is known as the Lok Kabi Ratna of Odisha and is very popular in his village. His writings are primarily inspired by nature, mythology, society and religion. He believes that poetry should have a real-life connection and a message for the people.