Policing by Day, Poetry by Night: The Double Life of Murlidhar Sharma

Image Source: News18

Murlidhar Sharma stands out for very different reasons in a world where police officers are frequently regarded as severe custodians of the law. Apart from being a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, he is also the lyricist behind a popular item song in a Bengali film. Sharma's path from Haryana's dusty roads to the halls of Kolkata's police force and now to the playlists of film buffs provides a clear view of how creativity and obligation could go hand in hand.

Who is Murlidhar Sharma?

Born in Mandi Aadampur, Haryana, in 1977, Murlidhar Sharma developed up in a small home surrounded by the rich cultural tapestry of post-partition Punjab.
Locally graduated, he went on to get a post-graduate degree from Punjab University and an M.Phil. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Having passed the civil services test in 2005, Sharma joined the IPS and was assigned to the West Bengal Cadre.
He has held difficult positions throughout his career, including Superintendent of Police in Birbhum, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) in Kolkata, and presently Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Task Force) in Kolkata.

An officer with a heart of a poet

Sharma's passion for language, particularly Urdu, started in his boyhood. Amid the harshness of his native Haryanvi dialect, he was drawn to the soft melody of Urdu poetry.
Adopting the pen name "Taalib," which means "the one eager to learn," he has published his own Urdu poetry anthology, "Haasil-e-Sahranavardi," which translates to "What is gained by wandering in a desert."
Though his work is hard, Sharma writes poetry every day, finding it as vital as running or eating. Rather than just romance, his poems often meditate on life and its difficulties.
Open to anyone wanting to learn, Sharma considers Urdu an Indian language; he has laboriously attempted to master it and even employed a maulana to instruct him.

From Uniform to the Silver Screen

Sharma's artistic path changed when music director Rana Mazumdar asked him to create a Hindi item number for a Bengali film.
Though first reluctant, Sharma assented and composed the lyrics for the song “DJ Pe Mast Koi Gana Baja… Jab Tak Ye Saans Chale Shor Macha,” which went viral on social media very rapidly.
Sung by well-known playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan, the song plays in Abhirup Ghosh's Bengali movie "Mrigaaya: The Hunt."
With the screenplay written by a serving officer, the film itself is based on police themes and adds authenticity to its depiction of law enforcement.

Creativity and a life of contrasts

Sharma's tale refutes preconceived assumptions about police officers, demonstrating that inventiveness and sensitivity may flourish even in the hardest occupations.
Though famed for his harshness and devotion to duty—having managed everything from crime in Kolkata to upheaval in Jangalmahal—Sharma's love of music and poetry has never dulled.
For almost thirty years, he has been composing ghazals and songs; the style particularly appeals to him.
Sharma's contributions in the arts have not only brought him personal fulfillment but also made him a source of inspiration for coworkers and the public both.

A Bridge of Culture

Sharma's path is an illustration of the rising phenomenon of complex personalities in public service, when officers are not merely enforcers but also participants to the cultural scene.
Active in literary circles, he shares his poetry on social media and attends Urdu poetry events to make poetry more approachable to a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Sharma's achievement with the movie song shows how art may unite people from all backgrounds by crossing lines.

Road Ahead

Sharma's ability to juggle his policing job with his artistic endeavors reminds us that passion and career do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive.
His tale shows the ongoing ability of art to link, heal, and encourage as well as life-long learning, resilience, and spirit.

Source: Rekhta, eNewsroom, Biswabangla Sangbad