Kaka Hathrasi (actual name- Prabhulal Garg, born- 18 September, 1906, Hathras, Uttar Pradesh; died- 18 September, 1995) was a famous English humor poet of India. He is considered synonymous with English humorous satire poems. Kaka Hathrasi’s style had an impact on other poets of his generation, even today many writers and satire poets are entertaining millions of listeners and readers by adopting the style of Kaka’s compositions. His compositions draw everyone’s attention towards the flaws, evils, corruption and political misrule prevalent in the society. Even though Kaka Hathrasi is not among us today, his humorous poems, which he used to call ‘Phuljhadiyaan’, will always keep tickling us.
Kaka Hathrasi was born on 18 September 1906 in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. His father’s name was Shivlal Garg and mother’s name was Barfi Devi. When he was just 15 days old, the plague epidemic took away his father and the family’s bad days began. Even in extreme poverty, Kaka continued his struggle and kept a balance between doing small jobs as well as poetry writing and music education.[1]
Day eighteenth September, Agrawal family. Kaka took incarnation in 1906.[1]
Kaka Hathrasi’s great grandfather came from Gokul, Mahavan and settled in Hathras and here he started the business of selling utensils. In those days, a utensil merchant was called ‘Kasere’. Grandfather (Baba) Shri Sitaram Kasare kept his father’s business running regularly. After that, when the partition took place, the utensils shop went to the other branch of the family. As a result, Kaka ji’s father had to work as a clerk in a utensils shop.[1]
Kaka was born in 1906, at a time when the dreadful plague disease devastated thousands of homes. Whichever part of the country this disease spread in, it would leave its villages and cities desolate. The crowds running frantically from cities to villages and villages to cities would shake the heart. So many homes were destroyed, children became orphans, women became widows. In some homes, there was no one left to look after the little ones. Kaka was just a 15-day-old infant when his father fell ill with the plague. 20-year-old mother Barfi Devi, who had just tried to understand worldly life, became restless with this thunderbolt. It was as if the whole world had become desolate and dark for her.
In those days, there were four people in the house – mother, elder brother Bhajanlal, elder sister Kiran Devi and uncle, who were left without any resources. Due to the early death of his father, he started living with his maternal uncle in Iglas. Kaka ji even sold chaat-pakoras in his childhood. However, he was fond of poetry since childhood.[2] He wrote a poem on his maternal uncle’s neighbour lawyer sahab-
During this time, at the age of just sixteen, Kaka got married to ‘Ratan Devi’. In Kaka’s poems, this Ratan Devi always remained ‘Kaaki’. But during these days, misfortune caught up with him again. A few days after marriage, Kaka lost his job and once again, Kaka spent many days in great poverty.
Kaka Hathrasi was not only a lover of music, but he was also very fond of painting. He ran a Chitrashaala as a business for some time, but that too did not work out, so after that, with the help of a friend, he laid the foundation of Sangeet Karyalaya. ‘Sangit Patrika’ on music was published from this office. Its publication continues uninterrupted even today.[2] Kaka’s first following poem was published in the magazine ‘Guldasta’ published from Allahabad-
Kaka Hathrasi, who lit the spark of humor amidst the struggles of life, established ‘Garg and Company’ for the promotion of music in Hathras in 1932, which was later named ‘Sangeet Karyalaya Hathras’. He carefully collected and published the works done in various languages and scripts in the context of Indian music. The books written by him were used as textbooks in music schools. From 1935, Sangeet Karyalaya also started publishing the monthly magazine “Sangeet”, which is continuing till date.
Ka Hathrasi had a special place among stage poets. Kaka ji recited poetry in hundreds of kavi sammelans and left his mark. When Kaka received an invitation for a kavi sammelan to be held at Red Fort Delhi in 1957, he recited poetry in his own style and left his mark. Kaka also received many awards. In 1966, Kaka was honored in a program of Brij Kala Kendra. Kaka Hathrasi was awarded ‘Kala Ratna’. In 1985, the then President Giani Zail Singh awarded him the title of ‘Padma Shri’. Kaka went abroad to recite poetry many times. In 1989, Kaka was honored with the honor of ‘Honorary Citizen’ in Valtimore, America. Kaka received dozens of honors and titles. Not only this, Kaka also acted in the film ‘Jamuna Kinare’. Kaka used to call humor a tonic.[2] He said that-
In the name of Kaka Hathrasi, ‘Kaka Hathrasi Puraskar’ for poets and ‘Kaka Hathrasi Sangeet’ award in the field of music were also started. Kaka Hathrasi lived a life of humour to the fullest in his life. He and humour are so intertwined that his picture comes to mind when we say humour. He has made an unforgettable contribution to the spread of humour poetry as well as English through kavi sammelans, seminars, radio and TV. He wrote such compositions in simple and straightforward language for the common people that touched the hearts of crores of English lovers living in the country and abroad.
Kaka Hathrasi, who was born on 18 September 1906, also died on 18 September in 1995.