Poet-Diplomat Abhay K. at the Nepal Bhasa Parishad

Poetry Reading by Abhay K. at the Nepal Bhasa Parishad, one of the oldest literary institutions of Nepal.

Foreign Service: A Poem by Abhay K

Diplomat Magazine publishes Abhay K.'s poem titled "Foreign Service". Diplomat is a foreign affairs magazine that provokes intelligent discussion from the heart of the Diplomatic community in London. This 65 year old magazine provides a unique insight into the minds of the most prominent world leaders and governments. Diplomat’s mix of high quality analysis, political commentary on world affairs and interviews with Ambassadors make it essential reading for the diplomatic community and those working in foreign affairs. Please click below to read the poem

Foreign Service 

by Abhay K. 

Foreign service is a journey

And all the diplomats merely travellers

They have their wits and talents;

And one diplomat assumes multiple roles

His career spread over many grades. At first the probationer

Learning and unlearning at the institute

And then the shy third secretary, with his briefcase

With curious look, rushing like a bee

Earnestly  to the boss's cabinet. And then the first secretary,

Ever engrossed in work, with his laptop 

Still unsure of his place. Then the counsellor

Full of strange note-sheets and growing graveness in looks

Risk averse, long hours at work, 

Conscious of reputation, quick temper

Seeking new authority 

Among the seniors and subordinates. And then the minister

With a paunch, receding hairline

With squint look and harsher commands

Full of jargon and clichés

So he gains perfection in officialese. Then plenipotentiary and extraordinary ambassador

Into the linen and lace-less shoes

With reading glasses and daily jogs

Trying to fit into his old suit, 

Then superannuation. Last  journey 

queuing up to enter the Foreign Office   

That ends this glorious journey

Then second probation-hood, flowing with wisdom

Free of protocol, briefs, talking points, telegrams, free of everything.

Shashi TharoorVerified‏@Shashitharoor Amusing and insightful take-off on Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage" summarizing diplomatic careers, by the MEA's Abhay K@abhayk_

La.Lit publishes four poets- Sarah Kay, Abhay K.,Tom Healy and Jeet Thayil

La.Lit - A Literary Magazine published annually from Kathmandu carries four poets in its 2013 issue- Sarah Kay, Abhay K.,Tom Healy and Jeet Thayil.

Poet Abhay K. with the U.S. Slam-Poet Sarah Kay & Nepalese Slam-Poet Ujjawala Maharjan

Poet Abhay K. with the U.S. Slam-Poet Sarah Kay & Nepalese Slam-Poet Ujjawala Maharjan in Kathmandu. Pic by Suvani Singh

Poet-Diplomat Abhay K. & writer Prajwal Parajuly exchanging books

Poet-Diplomat Abhay K. & writer Prajwal Parajuly exchanging books in Kathmandu 

Literary journals 'Pratilipi' and 'The Brown Critique' publish poems of Abhay K.

Pratilipi: A Bilingual Literary Journal (Annual/ 2012) carries five poems of poet-diplomat Abhay K. on the great Russian writers along with works of Kerdarnath Singh, Pratyaksha and Bhutnath

Abhay K.'s Poems published in Pratilipi can be read in Pratilipi December 2012

Poet Abhay K. sharing a lighter moment with writer Vikram Seth at the IIC, New Delhiw Delhi

The Brown Critique, a literary magazine published since 1995 carries five poems of  Abhay K. - Delhi, Akhmatova, Gogol, The Dark Side of Life and The Old Lady.

Abhay K's  poems published in The Brown Critique can be read in  The Brown Critique December 2012 

Diplomat-writer, who pens verse- The Tribune

Harihar Swarup writes about Abhay K nominated for US Pushcart Prize

Full story at http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121216/people.htm#2

IFS Officer Nominated For Coveted Pushcart Prize

NEW DELHI – An Indian Foreign Service officer currently posted in Kathmandu has been nominated for the prestigious American ‘Pushcart Prize 2013’ by the Sahitya Akademi.

Already having authored eight books, including four poetry collections, Abhay K has been nominated for his three poems – ‘What’s a Beach’, ‘Masseur’ and ‘Everything has Secrets’.

“Indian Literature, the prestigious bi-monthly journal of the Sahitya Akademi, has nominated the poems which were published in May/June 2012 for the prestigious Pushcart Prize 2013,” the officer said.

The nomination has been made by Dr A J Thomas, the guest editor of Indian Literature, he added.

The Pushcart Prize is the most honored literary project in America of the best of the small presses since 1976.

The Pushcart Press publishes the award-winning entries of short stories, poetry and essays in its annual collections.

Nomination for Pushcart Prize is made by editors of literary magazines and small book presses and it could be any combination of poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot, he said.

Abhay’s forthcoming book ‘Seduction of Delhi’ is a collection of poems. As a widely published poet, his collections include Enigmatic Love, Fallen Leaves of Autumn, Candling the Light and Remains.

Russian translation of his poems have appeared in renowned literary journals such as Literary St Petersburg and Sphinx.

His poems have also appeared in several poetry anthologies published in UK and US.

The officer has earlier served in Russia and at the Public Diplomacy Division of the External Affairs Ministry, heading its digital diplomacy initiative. In 2011, he got an award on behalf of Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry.              (PTI)

A Letter from Bairagi Kainla, the living legend of Nepali Literature to poet-diplomat Abhay K

 

English Translation-

I got an opportunity to go through your thought-provoking piece of writing published in The Kathmandu Post on 4th November 2012 titled "Two Shades of Passion" on diplomatic personalities and poets.

I feel extremely happy after reading the article.

It is said that the poets are not perfect about practical things but as you have mentioned in your article with illustrations about the the famous diplomat-poets who received the Nobel Prize in literature. It has elevated the stature of poet, poet-ism and poetry. I look forward to reading such excellent writings and waiting for anthology of your poems. Congratulations with best wishes!

-Bairagi Kainla,

Chancellor,

Nepal Academy

Poetry and Diplomacy: Nobel Laureates poet-diplomats

 

Two Shades of Passion

Indian Literature publishes poems of Abhay K

The latest issue of Indian Literature (269, June-July 2012) - the flagship publication of Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters carries four of Abhay K. Kumar's (my) poems- A Paradox, What's a Beach, Masseur and Everything has Secrets. More 

Abhay K with the eminent Nepali poet Bairagi Kainla

Conversation with Amish Tripathi on Rewriting Myths at Nepal Literature Festival, Kathmandu

Diplomat Abhay K. releases his new book 'Remains' - Indian Express

Diplomat Abhay K. releases his new book 'Remains' - Indian Express http://www.indianexpress.com/videos/national/6/diplomat-abhay-k.-releases-his-new-book-remains/10705

Abhay K's interview to the All India Radio