Alhar/Alhad Bikaneri (Late Shri.Alhar Bikaneri) (17 May 1937 – 17 June 2009) was a renowned Hindi Hasya Ras(Humour) and Urdu poet of India. His original name was Shyamlal Sharma. He was born on 17 May 1937 in a small village named Bikaner, Rewari district, Haryana, India.
Awards and recognition
Honored with “Hasya Ratna” he is considered as one of the most famous Hindi humour poet who used to recite poems by singing. He was considered as expert of Chandd Kavita(Rydhym Poems). He was awarded & honoured with India’s some of the most prestigious Awards of Hindi humour poetry like Theetoli Award Delhi(1981), Kaka Hathrasi Award(1986), Akhil Bharteeya Nagrik Parishad(1993), Yatha-Sambhav Award Ujjain(1997), Kavya Gaurav Award Delhi(1998), Narendra- Mohan Award, Maanas Award(2000), Tepa Award Ujjain(2004), Vyangya- Shri Award(2004) & Athasaas -Shikar Award(2007). In 1996 his work was appreciated by Honorable President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. In 2000 Delhi State Government honoured him with Kaka Hathrasi Sammaan which is considered as one of the most prestigious award of Hindi Humor Poetry in India. In 2004, Haryana State Govt. awarded him with Haryana Gaurav Award. His popularity was not only limited in India but was also known outside India for his work. Haryana State Sathiya Academy had declared "Aditya-Alhar Hasya Samman", in order to honour contribution in literature. This award was declared under "Sahityakar Samman Yogna" . Since 2012 this award will be given every year to motivate for contribution in literature . This award carries a cash price of INR 100,000
Life
Alhar was born on 17 May 1937 in Bikaner, Haryana. He was only son in family. His Father name was Sh. Chuutanlal Sharma and Mother’s name was Smt. Parvati Devi.Since childhood he was fascinated for music, literature and stage shows. But his father always wanted him to become an Engineer. In class 10th he was passed in first division & got scholarship. He took admission in Science stream at Aheer College Rewari, Haryana. After second year of college, he dropped studies. In Dec 1955 he started his first job at Custodian office Gurgaon, Haryana. He worked there for three months until Mar 1956. In April 1956 he joined Telegraph training centre at Saharanpur . But soon he fell ill with malaria & typhoid. He was admitted to Irwin Hospital Delhi and recovered.
Death and memory events
On 17 June 2009, at age 72, Alhar died. He had been suffering from respiratory health problems. He was admitted to a hospital in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. In his memory every year on his birthday, various functions are organised by his family and friends. In 2010, Kavi sammelan was organised which was attended by various famous poets . On the occasion "Alhar ji" was remembered & poets expressed their feelings & respect for him by dedicating there poems for Alharji. In 2011,on his 74th birthday, Haryana Chief Minister Honorable Mr. Bhoopendra Singh Hooda had released his last book " Man mast hua" at Haryana Bhawan, New delhi. In 2012,Kaka Hathrasi honouring Alhar Bikaneri with Kaka Hathrasi award(1986). On his 75th Birthday a large gathering was organised was Akhil Bharatiya Kavi Sammelan organised at LTG Auditorium by Haryana Sahitya Academy and Chetna India of Delhi. This program was attended by Delhi Assembly Speaker, many ministers & poets was also available on the occasion.
Poems
About his writing skills Dr. Devendra Arya said "Alhar ji humor is like a ray of glowing light in darkness. He is expert in expressing the pain, tears using his humor skills that the message goes to the heart of person directly with a great impact without causing any hurting".
23 Jan 1971, he participated for the first time in Lal Qila Kavi sammelan and recited his poem.