Suman Pokhrel

Early Life

Suman Pokhrel was born on September 21, 1967, in Mills Area, Biratnagar, Nepal, to Mukunda Prasad Pokhrel and Bhakta Devi Pokhrel. His early education began at Bal Mandir, a government-owned kindergarten, but at the age of seven, he moved to his ancestral village of Kachide in Dhankuta, where he was raised by his paternal grandmother. Influenced by his grandfather, Bidhyanath Pokhrel, a poet and politician, Suman was introduced to literature early on through a rich library filled with Nepali, Hindi, and classic Sanskrit texts. He returned to Biratnagar at twelve, where his father, an engineer and bibliophile, further nurtured his literary interests.

Career

Pokhrel's professional journey began in the Nepali civil service as a Section Officer in February 1995. However, he left this position in December 1998 to work with Plan International as a development activist, which took him to remote regions of Nepal. A multilingual poet, he has written in Nepali, English, Hindi, and Urdu, with his works translated into several languages. He has participated in numerous literary festivals, including the SAARC Festivals of Literature and the All India Poets' Meet, showcasing his poetry to both national and international audiences.

Personal Life

Suman Pokhrel comes from a politically active and academically inclined family, with both grandfathers having significant political roles. He married Goma Dhungel in 2002, and they have two children, Ojaswee and Ajesh (also known as Mansoon). The family resides in Biratnagar, where Suman continues to contribute to the literary scene in Nepal and beyond. His works have gained recognition, earning him several prestigious awards, including the SAARC Literary Award and the Shaluk International Literature Award.