Kosli research centre to be named after Haldhar Nag: Odisha CM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 7:

Recognising Padma Shri awardee Haldhar Nag’s contribution towards Kosli dialect and literature, Odisha government would set up a research center at Ghens village in Bargarh district which will be named after the poet.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that the state government will establish a centre for research in Kosli dialect and literature at Ghens village, the birthplace of the Kosli poet, in view of the rich contribution of the poet with extraordinary skill towards Kosli dialect and literature.

The proposed institute will be named after the 66-year-old poet.

Patnaik announced this while felicitating the poet at his residence Naveen Nivas here this morning.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik presented a shawl, a silver filigree work, and a flower bouquet to Nag and wished for a bright future. Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Textiles, Handlooms and Handicrafts Minister Snehangini Chhuria, MP Prasanna Patasani, MP Pravash Singh, MLA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi, MLA Sushant Singh among others were present on the occasion.

Notably, Haldhar Nag was felicitated with Padma Shri by President Pranab Mukherjee recently at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

Nag is a class III dropout and has carved a niche for himself in the literary field. Impressed by his poetry, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had filmed a documentary on his life and works.

Till he entered into his 40’s, he wrote Lokgeet, Samparda, and Krushnaguru which are the roots of the Kosli literature. Later, he started writing poetry in Kosli dialect.

Some of the popular works of Nag include Mahasati Urmila, Bacchhar, Tara Mandodari, Achhia (inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against untouchability). Haladhar’s other major works include Siri Somalai, Veer Sundar Sai, Karamsani, Rasia Kavi (biography of Tulasidas) and Prem Paechan.