Balkavi Bairagi (born Nand Ramdas Bairagi; 10 February 1931 – 13 May 2018) popularly known Rastrakavi Balkavi Bairagi[2] was a Hindi poet, film lyricist and politician from India. His songs in Malvi, such as the very popular 'Panihari' (A woman carrying water) gave a stage to Malvi,a Hindi dialect spoken in the region of Malva (Malwa) in the mainstream Hindi poetry scenario. He was one of the several who have been hailed as a Rashtrakavi ('national poet'). He was a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh from 1998 to 2004.

Balkavi Bairagi
Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh[1]
In office
1998–2004
Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha from Madhya Pradesh[1]
In office
1984–1989
Cabinet Minister in Madhya Pradesh Government[1] for

Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies

Ministry of Language and Tourism
In office
1980–1985
Personal details
Born
Nandram Das Bairagi

10 February 1931
Manasa, Madhya Pradesh, British India
Died13 May 2018(2018-05-13) (aged 87)
Manasa, Madhya Pradesh
Political partyIndian National Congress
ParentMahant Dwarka Das Bairagi
ResidenceManasa, Madhya Pradesh

Early life and education

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Bairagi was born in Manasa in a Vaishnav Brahmin (Bairagi) family.[3] Originally named Nand Ramdas Bairagi, he came to be popularly called as "Balkavi" Bairagi as he wrote some classic poems during his childhood.[4] He obtained his post-graduate degree in Hindi from Vikram University, Ujjain.[5]

Literary career

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Bairagi wrote several Hindi poems and wrote prolifically for children. His poem "Jhar gaye paat, bisar gayi tehni" is considered a masterpiece by Hindi poets. He wrote lyrics for at least a dozen Hindi films, the most noted among them being Reshma aur Shera and Ankahee.[6]

Political career

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As a politician affiliated to the Indian National Congress, he was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Manasa in 1968 and again in 1980. At various points in time, he served as the Minister of State for Information,[7] the Minister of Language and Tourism and the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies in the Madhya Pradesh Government. He was a Member of the Lok Sabha between 1984 and 1989, representing the Mandsaur constituency. He was a Rajya Sabha member from 1998 to 2004.

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Representative poems

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  • Jhar gaye paat, bisar gayi tehni
  • Apni gandh nahi bechoonga
  • Deewat par deep
  • Jo kutilta se jiyenge
  • Mere desh ke laal
  • Naujawan aao re
  • Saara desh hamaara

Poems for children

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Filmography

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Song Title Movie Name Year
Mujhko bhi radha bana le nandlaal Ankahee 1985
Har sannata kuch kehta hai Jadu Tona 1977
Nimbua pe ao mere ambua pe ao Veer Chhatrasaal 1971

Famous poems

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झर गये पात,बिसर गई टहनी (The leaves have fallen, the branches have been forgotten)

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झर गये पात

बिसर गई टहनी

करुण कथा जग से क्या कहनी ?


नव कोंपल के आते-आते

टूट गये सब के सब नाते

राम करे इस नव पल्लव को

पड़े नहीं यह पीड़ा सहनी

झर गये पात

बिसर गई टहनी

करुण कथा जग से क्या कहनी ?


कहीं रंग है, कहीं राग है

कहीं चंग है, कहीं फ़ाग है

और धूसरित पात नाथ को

टुक-टुक देखे शाख विरहनी

झर गये पात

बिसर गई टहनी

करुण कथा जग से क्या कहनी ?


पवन पाश में पड़े पात ये

जनम-मरण में रहे साथ ये

"वृन्दावन" की श्लथ बाहों में

समा गई ऋतु की "मृगनयनी"

झर गये पात

बिसर गई टहनी

करुण कथा जग से क्या कहनी ? [8]

Death and legacy

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He died in his sleep on 13 May 2018 at the age of 87 years.[4] His legacy is continued by two sons and numerous grandchildren. He is remembered as one of the most popular and reputed poets of Hindi language.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ghosh, Avijit (14 May 2018). "Poet-politician Balkavi Bairagi passes away". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Balkavi Biragi, A Famous Poet and Politician". Biographya. 20 March 2022.
  3. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9-URYBv_Y(Shbad star with Ashok Vyas Guest Balkavi Bairagi)
  4. ^ a b "Noted lyricist, poet, politician Balkavi Bairagi dies in MP". Business Standard. 13 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Poet Balkavi Bairagi Biography". Biographya. 20 March 2022.
  6. ^ Ghosh, Avijit (14 May 2018). "Balkavi Bairagi: Poet-politician Balkavi Bairagi passes away". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  7. ^ "From the Archives (Sept. 13, 1969): Taking the name of Gandhiji (New raga to mark Gandhiji's centenary announced)". The Hindu. 13 September 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  8. ^ "झर गये पात / बालकवि बैरागी - कविता कोश". kavitakosh.org (in Hindi). Retrieved 5 June 2022.