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.
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