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Suman Pokhrel Has bagged Asia's Inspiring Poet Award

Suman Pokhrel Has bagged Asia's Inspiring Poet Award

Suman Pokhrel is a celebrated poet and a prominent lyricist, playwright, translator, artist and theatrist from Nepal. He primarily writes in the Nepali language but also crafts works in English, Hindi, and several other South Asian languages. His literary creations have been translated into multiple languages across various countries and have graced the pages of distinguished international journals.


Suman Pokhrel has been a dedicated representative of Nepal in numerous literary festivals and cultural events, actively promoting the exchange of literature and culture on a global scale. His poetic prowess has been duly recognized and acknowledged, with his poetry incorporated into the curriculum of two universities in Nepal and three universities in India. He has received several prestigious accolades, including the SAARC Literary Award in 2013 and 2015, among many others


Suman Pokhrel embarked on his literary journey in 1999 with the release of "Shoonya Mutuko Dhadkanbhitra," a collection of poems published by Vani Publication in Biratnagar, Nepal. This debut marked the inception of his career as a poet, garnering recognition within the literary landscape. He further solidified his position as a respected poet with a keen mastery of lyrical expression through subsequent works, such as "Hazaar Aankhaa Yee Aankhaamaa" in 2002.


His literary pursuits continued to flourish with "Jeevanko Chheubata," a collection of Nepali poems published in 2009. This publication not only reaffirmed his poetic prowess but also firmly established his reputation as a noteworthy poet within the literary community. Suman Pokhrel's creative talents extended to the realm of lyricism, as he collaborated with vocalists and music composers resulting in timeless compositions like, “Aaja Yo Andhyarole”, "Na Ta Din Bhayo," "Pagliyera Pokhiyun Jhain," "Dharti Aakash Bhanda Para," and "Kati Mitha." Additionally, he released two music albums, namely 'Bhitra Kahaan Kahana' and 'Yo Ke Bhayo,' comprising original songs in his lirycs.


The impact of Suman Pokhrel's poetry extended far beyond linguistic boundaries. His poems have been meticulously translated into English and featured in esteemed anthologies, such as "Sweet and Sour Dreams" and "Songs We Share," both published by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature in New Delhi, India. Furthermore, his English-translated poetry has found its place in anthologies like "Snow Jowel," "Oh My Sweetest Heart," "Art of Being Human," "South Asian Poetry," and "Oxygen: Parables of the Pandemic," among others. These works have also been showcased in renowned literary magazines and journals, including "California Quarterly," "Global Poetry," and "Spillwords," among several others. Poems authored by Suman Pokhrel have been translated into an impressive array of languages, including Arabic, Bangla, French, Hindi, Italian, Maithili, Odia, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese, and have been published across diverse locations and countries.

 

With his poetry translated and featured in anthologies and prestigious journals worldwide, Suman Pokhrel's literary influence expanded internationally. He received invitations to participate in global literary festivals and conferences, commencing with his involvement in the International Literary Meet and International Short Story Festival in Raipur, India, in 2008.


Suman Pokhrel's literary commitment transcended national borders as he represented Nepal at numerous international literary events, including festivals in Agra (2009), New Delhi (2010, 2011), and Chandigarh (2010). In 2014, he graced the SAARC Sufi Festival with his presence. His literary journey continued with appearances at events like the South Asian Literature Festival in New Delhi (2017), the First Conference of Asian Writers in Astana, Kazakhstan (2019), and the Vishwarang Festival in Bhopal (2019), and many more, where he fostered cultural exchange and further solidified his literary standing.


In 2016, his play "Yajnaseni," inspired by the Sanskrit epic 'The Mahabharata,' premiered to critical acclaim in Irving, Dallas, TX, USA. Another notable composition, "The Unheard Plea" (2019), showcased his talents in lyrics originally written in Sanskrit. The inaugural performance took place in New York in 2018, followed by a recorded rendition.


Suman Pokhrel's versatility extended to translation, where he expertly rendered the works of numerous writers and poets into English, Nepali, Hindi, and Urdu. A significant achievement in this realm was his Nepali translation of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest,' published in 2018 by Nepal Academy. Additionally, he published two volumes of translations featuring poetry from poets around the globe.


Suman Pokhrel also ventured into the realm of reality show, directing the poerty based show 'Kavyaarohan,' which showcased renowned poets from Nepal and India. The show premiered in 2019 at Aarohan Gurukul in Biratnagar, Nepal, and successfully concluded its first season in 2022, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Recognizing the invaluable artistic and literary quality of his works, esteemed academic institutions such as Tribhuvan University and Purbanchal University in Nepal, as well as the University of Kerala in Kerala, GD Goenka University in New Delhi, and Cauvery College for Women in Tiruchirappalli, India, have incorporated his poems into their curricula. It underscores his enduring influence and significance of his poetry in the literary world. His verses have also been the subject of scholarly works and journalistic articles written in Nepal and aboard, attesting to their profound impact across diverse platforms. His poetry resonates with a global audience, primarily disseminated through social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Such is the impact of his poetry that some ardent admirers have chosen to immortalize his verses through tattoos.


The prestigious accolades and awards bestowed upon Suman Pokhrel serve as testament to his remarkable contributions through excellence in his work. Some of these accolades include: • Spillwords Author of the Month of June Award (2023) • Shaluk International Literature Award (2023) • Aarohan Poetry Award (2022) • Babarsinha Thapa Memorial Award (2022) • Sasidhdhi National Talent Award (2018) • SAARC Literary Award (2015, 2013) • Person of the Year award from Youth for Blood (2015) • Parikalpana Award (2013)


Suman Pokhrel's literary odyssey reflects his countinous dedication to poetry, active engagement in literary events, and substantial contributions spanning various domains. His profound impact extends across cultural boundaries, resonating with readers, scholars, and audiences worldwide, thus solidifying his place as a revered, influential and inspiring figure in the global literary landscape.


Suman Pokhrel was born on September 21, 1967, in Biratnagar, Nepal, to Mukunda Prasad Pokhrel and Bhaktadevi Pokhrel. He holds degrees in BSc, MBA, and BL from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. For the past three decades, he has been actively engaged in various areas, including social and rural development, research and evaluation, and providing training in creative and professional writing, legal issues, accounting, and taxation.  

Suman Pokhrel Has bagged Asia's Inspiring Poet Award

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