Poetry and the power of expression

Writer Sushant Thapa discusses his seven poetry collections, the influence of cultural heritage on his work, and the role of poets in today’s world.

Photo: Courtesy of Sushant Thapa

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Rishika Dhakal

Published at : November 14, 2024

Updated at : November 14, 2024 07:03

Kathmandu

Based in Biratnagar, Sushant Thapa holds an MA in English Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, India.

He has written several books, including ‘The Poetic Burden and Other Poems’ (Authorspress, New Delhi, 2020), ‘Abstraction and Other Poems’ (Impspired, UK, 2021), ‘Minutes of Merit’ (Haoajan, Kolkata, 2021), ‘Love’s Cradle’ (World Inkers Printing and Publishing, New York, USA and Senegal, Africa, 2023) and ‘Spontaneity: A New Name of Rhyme’ (Ambar Publication, New Delhi, 2023).

In this conversation with the Post’s Rishika Dhakal, Thapa discusses his poetry collections, the influence of cultural heritage on his work, and the role of poets in today’s world.

You’ve published seven poetry books. Can you describe in brief what these books are about?

I regularly write English poems and submit them to journals and magazines. Once published, I collect them into books. My first book explored self-reflection in a romantic, lyrical style, and I write primarily in free verse with a philosophical touch.

In my second book, the poems critique literature, time, and politics with a more concise style. My third book delves into themes of mentality, humanity, love, peace, remorse, discernment, grief, loss, and redemption.

The fourth book is rich in symbolism, touching on themes like war, death, travel, memory, and honouring ancestors. My fifth book is entirely free verse, featuring an experimental style focused on spontaneity and setting. My sixth book brings simplicity to abstract ideas, with some poems addressing contemporary issues.

The seventh book incorporates mythical and spiritual themes. The title poem suggests that modernity and tradition coexist in Kathmandu.

You went to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). How has studying literature in two different cultural contexts influenced your writing?

At JNU, I came to appreciate the value of one’s own culture. Assigned to write a term paper on Nepal’s counterculture, I immersed myself in a range of global subjects, including world literature, German philosophy, Greco-Roman mythopoesis, science fiction, American and Jewish literature, and caste-related literature.

India’s emphasis on cultural heritage inspired me, and I am now drawn to Nepalese Writings in English, much like Indian Writings in English, which are widely studied in India. My work reflects a deep respect for culture. As a global language, English allows us to tell Nepal’s stories.

As a poet, flash fiction, and short story writer, how do you decide which medium best expresses a particular idea or emotion?

A poem can distil any literary idea into a concise form, using symbolism and artistry to reflect the essence of any era. Poetry has a unique power to emotionally connect with readers, though it often leans toward subjectivity. When I want to incorporate diverse perspectives or create a new fictional world, I turn to stories and flash fiction, as flash fiction allows for rich character sketches in brief.

Do you have specific rituals or environments that help you write?

I write poems wherever inspiration strikes—on buses, aeroplanes, hotel rooms, and airport lobbies. When an idea comes to mind, I write it down, often late at night, capturing at least one poem before the day ends. I don’t need a peaceful writing setting; travel especially fuels my creativity. For instance, while walking the streets of Kathmandu, the idea for my poem ‘Finding My Soul in Kathmandu’ emerged. I later returned to my hotel room and wrote it.

Do you believe there is a responsibility for poets today to address social or political issues, or is poetry more about personal expression?

Poets are responsible for addressing social and political issues respectfully and sensitively. Writing provocatively about controversial topics doesn’t necessarily improve reality. Instead, poetry should elevate personal concerns into universal themes, using literary devices to deepen impact. For instance, I recently wrote a poem inspired by the floods just before festival season. The poem was abstract rather than literal; I used the image of a “tattered kite” to symbolise the suffering of flood victims.

Poetry isn’t a straightforward report of events—it thrives on subjectivity and imagination. In today’s world, war poetry, reflecting our times, feels particularly urgent. Poets can’t ignore current realities. I’ve written poems about the effects of Covid-19 and lockdowns, aiming to resonate with readers’ experiences. When poetry reflects how events like the pandemic have touched people’s lives, it becomes relatable.

The symbolic poem ‘Parrot in the Cage’ is a powerful example of opposing political repression. Poetry, at its best, is a symbolic medium, and it’s in this artful representation that the actual skill of a poet lies.

What advice would you give aspiring poets?

Aspiring poets should immerse themselves in literature and actively pursue publication opportunities. Young poets can also benefit from translating poems into English to grasp the subtleties of language. Exploring the lyrics and poetry of musicians like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen can be equally enriching. Poets need to engage with the world around them and broaden their perspectives.

Sushant Thapa’s book recommendations

Crime and Punishment

Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year: 1866

This thrilling page-turner feels personal to the reader. The story stays with you long after you finish it, making it a true classic.

Leech and Other Stories

Author: Ranjan Adiga

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Year: 2024

This story collection by a Nepali-American writer is filled with socio-fictional characters, providing a glimpse into Nepal’s diverse society.

Knife