An Interview - AN INDIVIDUAL APPRECIATES POETRY ON THE BASIS OF THEIR 'SPHERE OF INTELLECT'

AN INDIVIDUAL APPRECIATES POETRY ON THE BASIS OF THEIR 'SPHERE OF INTELLECT'
- Suman Pokhrel:
(Suman Pokhrel interviewed by Birat Anupam for Lokantar)

Suman Pokhrel: is a widely read poet. His works have appeared in various global poetry platforms. Two-time SAARC Literary Award recipient, Pokhrel has also penned short stories, essays, translations, plays, and songs, among others.

Pokhrel agreed for an interview with Birat Anupam for Lokaantar.com Below is a summary of long conversation with this versatile poet.

Birat Anupam: How do you define yourself–as a poet, playwright, lyricist, essayist, translator or an artist–since you have worked on all these genres of literature?

Suman Pokhrel: I am happy to be reckoned as a poet as poetry covers all spheres of literature. A powerful poet can pen a powerful essay but a powerful essayist may not be able to write powerful poems. I think all other genres are derivatives of poetry.

Birat Anupam: If so, are you happy with your definition in Wikipedia that goes this way: ”Suman Pokhrel is a multilingual Nepali poet, lyricist, translator, and an artist.”?

Suman Pokhrel: That is their style of introducing people. People define others in their own way, based on their findings and perceptions. There is a saying that people have three identities: one, the identity they are convinced upon; second, an identity given by others and third, the real identity which may lie somewhere between the first and second.

Birat Anupam: When is a poet supposed to publish his collection of poems?

Suman Pokhrel: This is a very common and easy question with some complex answers. I guess any poet with his/her size-able poetry audience can publish his\her poetry book.

Birat Anupam: What sorts of poems are appreciated by a huge audience?

Suman Pokhrel: Generally, poem is understood and liked on the basis of the 'sphere of intellect' of an individual. Poems falling under the sphere of intellect of larger size of readers can be popular. It doesn’t mean that all popular poems are powerful in their content, structure and art. Many of the vibrant poems haven’t been appreciated by a larger mass of audience as those poems don’t fall under their sphere of intellect.

Birat Anupam: It is said that contemporary poems in Nepal are thematic and based on certain trends. How do you assess this?

Suman Pokhrel: I believe that poem itself is an invention. And an invention or discovery doesn’t go with any particular trend. Poetry must be exclusive and it mustn’t go with the trend. Bucking the trend is the very nature of good poetry. Nepal’s great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota and pioneer of prose poetry Gopal Prasad Rimal are always remembered as they didn’t follow any trend but paved their own distinct way.

Birat Anupam: What is your take on women’s literature in Nepal?

Suman Pokhrel: A litterateur or a poet definitely does belong to one of the genders. That doesn’t mean it is always visible. A male poet sometime writes as a man and sometimes as human. To cite my own example, I wrote Children as a human and wrote Taj Mahal and My Love as a man. I think the same applies to women poets and litterateurs everywhere.

Birat Anupam: You have good rapport with poets and literary figures around the SAARC region. What is their impression on Nepali literature?

Suman Pokhrel: I have had the opportunity to witness many such occasions when Nepali poetry got recognition. Nepali poetry has definitely made a major impact in South Asia and beyond. Poetry possibly is one of the few areas where Nepali content has been acclaimed.

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