Suman Pokhrel is the only writer to have received the SAARC Literary Award twice, earning the distinction in 2013 and 2015. A prolific figure in Nepalese letters, he operates across multiple creative mediums, including poetry, translation, and drama, while maintaining an extensive background in development work and public service throughout his career in Nepal.
Early Development and Influences
Born in 1967 in Biratnagar, Pokhrel was introduced to literature through the personal library of his grandfather, Bidhyanath Pokhrel, who was a poet and politician. Following early childhood years in Biratnagar and a period raised by his grandmother in the village of Kachide, he returned to Biratnagar at age twelve to continue his education under the guidance of his father.
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Pokhrel pursued higher education at Tribhuvan University, earning degrees including a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Laws. His professional life transitioned from government service, where he worked for the Government of Nepal from 1994 to 1997, to the non-profit sector with Plan International starting in 1998.
Literary Scope and Translation
His bibliography includes diverse works such as Hazaar Aankhaa Yee Aankhaamaa, Jeevanko Chheubaata, and the play Yajnaseni. As a translator, he has rendered works by international figures like William Shakespeare and Pablo Neruda into Nepali. His own poetry, written in languages including Hindi, Urdu, and English, appears in international anthologies, journals, and literature festivals across Asia.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Biratnagar
- Citizenship: Nepal
- Notable Works: Hazaar Aankhaa Yee Aankhaamaa, Yajnaseni
- Awards: SAARC Literary Award (2013, 2015), Shaluk International Literature Award (2023)
- Languages: Hindi, Urdu, English, Nepali, Maithili
- Education: Tribhuvan University
Questions readers ask
What is Suman Pokhrel's most significant achievement?
He is the sole writer to have received the SAARC Literary Award on two separate occasions.
In which languages does he write?
He writes in Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, and English.
Achievements
- Notable work: Yajnaseni
- Affiliated with Plan International
- Educated at Mahendra Morang Adarsh Multiple Campus
- Worked as translator, lyricist and essayist
