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.

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]

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]

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.

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.