New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- Haldhar Nag is a renowned poet from Odisha who challenged all conventional ideas about education and academic achievement. Despite being a class 3 dropout, Nag went on to become one of the most prominent literary figures in India. Writing in Kosli, also known as Sambalpuri, the language of western Odisha, Nag draws on folklore, nature, mythology and everyday experiences and explores social realities and injustice. He struggled in his early life and overcame poverty and was honoured with one of India's highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri, by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Today, Nag's literature goes beyond popular recognition to academic study. According to the Times of India (TOI), five scholars are pursuing PhD ...