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Abhay Kumar
File:AbhayK-By-AlinaMedvedeva.JPG
Abhay K portrait by Alina Medvedeva.
Born
Abhay Kumar

1980 (age 43–44)
Nalanda, Bihar, India
NationalityIndian
Alma materJawaharlal Nehru University
Occupation(s)Diplomat, Poet, Artist
Known forEarth Anthem
Websitewww.abhayk.com

Abhay Kumar (Hindi: अभय कुमार) (born 1980) is an Indian poet-diplomat and artist.[1][2] He has written several books including River Valley to Silicon Valley.[3][4][5] His writings cover digital diplomacy,[6] philosophical poetry, art and global democracy.[7][8][9] The Earth Anthem, written, produced and directed by him in eight languages, was appreciated.[10][11][12][13][14] He wrote the South Asian Anthem[15] spurring search for an official SAARC Anthem.[16] He received the SAARC Literary Award for his contribution to contemporary South Asian Poetry[17][18] and nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2013.[19] In 2011, he also received the Gov 2.0 award on behalf of the Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs.[6][20]

Early life

Abhay was born and raised at Chhabilapur near Rajgir in Nalanda district of Bihar. He studied at the Kirori Mal College Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2003. He studied Russian language, history and literature at the Moscow State University and U.S. Foreign Policy at the George Washington University.[21]

Career

Literary

Abhay K at Gangtok

Kumar's first book was River Valley to Silicon Valley.[3] His poems have appeared in several magazines and literary journals.[22][23][24][25][26][27] [28][29] His poetic works give humanistic outlook to Indian English Poetry.[30][31][32] and make subtle use of metaphor and imagery.[33] Wasafiri quarterly notes Kumar's absence from the HareperCollins anthology of English poetry stating "The HarperCollins Book of English Poetry does miss out on Agha Shahid Ali, the poet-diplomat Abhay K and Nabina Das."[34][24]

His poem "Foreign Service" is a take-off on Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage" summarizing diplomatic careers.[35] while the poem "Gogol" alludes to the works of the writer Gogol such as "The Nose", "The Overcoat", "Nevsky Prospect", "Dead Souls" and "The Government Inspector".[36] His poem "Ghalib" is a glimpse of tragic life of poet Ghalib.[37] Kumar's poems have been translated into Irish by Irish poet Gabriel Rosenstock[38] and in Russian by noted Russian poet Andrei Rodossky.[29]

Kumar has read his poems at several literary occasions.[39][40][41][42][43][44] He was nominated for the Pushcart Prize for his three poems ‘What’s a Beach’, ‘Masseur’ and ‘Everything has Secrets’.[45] His poems have been recited by K.Satchidanandan [46] A. J. Thomas,[47] and Helena Sinervo.[48] He also co-founded the Poetry at the Monument poetry movement[49]

File:Monument for Earth.JPG
Monument for Earth — A painting by Kumar

Earth Anthem

"Our cosmic oasis, cosmic blue pearl

the most beautiful planet in the universe
all the continents and the oceans of the world
united we stand as flora and fauna
united we stand as species of one earth
black, brown, white, different colours
we are humans, the earth is our home.

Our cosmic oasis, cosmic blue pearl
the most beautiful planet in the universe
all the people and the nations of the world
all for one and one for all
united we unfurl the blue marble flag
black, brown, white, different colours

we are humans, the earth is our home.</poem>

— "Earth Anthem"[50]


Earth Anthem written by him in eight languages including six official UN languages — Arabic, Chinese, French, English, Russian and Spanish — as well as Hindi and Nepali, set to music by Sapan Ghimire and sung by Shreya Sotang from Nepal was launched at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on 3 June 2013.[51] It has received acclaim[11][52] and is being used by CBSE.[53] Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris recommended Kumar's proposal of an official Earth Anthem to the UNESCO in January 2014. In response UNSECO called idea of an Earth Anthem inspiring that would help the world bring closer.[54] [55] Habitat for Humanity International has shown its support for Kumar's Earth Anthem by promoting it during its events. [56]

painting of Abhay K

SAARC Anthem

Abhay wrote SAARC Anthem in Bangla, Dzongkha, Dhivehi, English, Hindi, Nepali, Pashto, Singla and Urdu that attempts to foster South Asian consciousness and bring the member states of SAARC together.[57][58] It has spurred discussions on the need for an official SAARC Anthem.[59] Columnist Stanley Weiss hopes that the South Asian leaders will choose to move forward in the words of the SAARC Anthem.[60] Nepal's foreign minister has expressed the need for a SAARC anthem to connect SAARC nations. [61] SAARC Anthem was to be played at the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi in presence of the SAARC leaders.[62] The song penned by Abhay K may become SAARC Anthem.[63] Pooja Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt have praised SAARC anthem.[64]

Diplomatic

Kumar is an Indian Foreign Service officer and has served in positions at the Ministry of External Affairs of the government of India and at the Indian missions and posts abroad.[65][66] He was also assistant editor of India Perspectives, a monthly magazine published by the Ministry of External Affairs in 17 languages from September 2011 to July 2012.[67][68]

Artistic

Kumar's art work focus on planetary consciousness.[69] He has exhibited his paintings in St. Petersburg, Paris and New Delhi.[70][71] His art has received good reviews.[72] Poetry-paintings of Abhay K and Italian artist Tarshito exhibited at the National Academy of Art, New Delhi highlight Delhi's glorious past. [73]

Awards and recognition

  • 2013: SAARC Literary Award[18][74]
  • 2013: Nominated for the Pushcart Prize[19]
  • 2012: Received 1st Class diploma from the Steiglitz Academy of Arts, St. Petersburg for his exhibition We are different, We are together.[75]
  • 2012: 1st Prize by the Amity School of Business, Noida, India for the case study Digital Revolution and Business at the 8th Renvoi, an International Management Case Study Competition[76]

Publications

Non-fiction

  • River Valley to Silicon Valley (2007)/A Civil Servant's Tale (2011)[77]
  • 10 Questions of the Soul (2010)[78]
  • Colours of Soul (Cvet Dushi) (2011)[79]

Poetry books

  • Enigmatic Love (2009)[80]
  • Fallen Leaves of Autumn (2010)[81]
  • Candling the Light(2011)[82]
  • Remains (2012)[83]
  • Seduction of Delhi[84]

See also

References

  1. ^ UNESCO finds Indian poet-diplomat's idea of an Earth Anthem inspiring, Business Standard, 27 Feb 2014
  2. ^ Unesco lauds Indian poet's idea of earth anthem, The Times of India, 28 February 2014
  3. ^ a b The Hindu Literary Review 2007 The Hindu, 5 August 2007.
  4. ^ Pen Drive, The Indian Express, 22 Nov 2012
  5. ^ "The Poetic Side of Indian Diplomats", The Times of India, 25 August 2012
  6. ^ a b Public Diplomacy Division Receives Gov2.in 2011 Award Deccan Herald, 12 March.
  7. ^ "Better with verse" The Hindu, 2 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Indian Diplomat's Paintings on Show", indusage.com.au, 29 April 2011
  9. ^ "Indian Diplomat turned artist presents his work on planetary consciousness" Yahoo, 27 April 2011
  10. ^ ANI, 4 June 2012
  11. ^ a b "Indian Diplomat pens anthem for Earth" The New Indian Express, 5 June 2013
  12. ^ "Inspiring Earth Anthem" The Himalayan Times, 9 June 2013
  13. ^ "UNESCO to consider making Earth Anthem by Indian diplomat a global initiative", Business Standard, 26 June 2013
  14. ^ UN to consider "Indian diplomat's song as a global initiative", The Economic Times, 26 June 2013
  15. ^ "Indian poet-diplomat pens S.Asian anthem after Earth anthem success" ANI, 27 November 2013
  16. ^ "Indian diplomat's poem spurs search for SAARC anthem", Hindustan Times, 9 January 2014
  17. ^ "Poet Abhay K wins SAARC Literature Award", Hindustan Times, 14 March 2013
  18. ^ a b "Five writers honoured at the SAARC Literature Festival", PTI, 11 March 2013
  19. ^ a b "IFS officer nominated for coveted Pushcart Prize", 2 December 2012
  20. ^ MEA's Public Diplomacy Division gets coveted Social Media Award, ANI, 11 March 2011
  21. ^ "Diplomat-writer, who pens verse", The Tribune, Chandigarh, 16 December 2012
  22. ^ Poems of Abhay K. translated into Irish by Gabriel Rosenstock An Gael, Samhradh 2014
  23. ^ THE IRON PILLAR OF DELHI' AND OTHER POEMS Chiaroscuro, June 2014
  24. ^ a b Dara Shikoh and other poems
  25. ^ Ghalib The Missing Slate, 11 February 2014
  26. ^ Poems of Abhay K in Indian Literature, June-July 2012
  27. ^ Kritya Poetry Journal
  28. ^ Poetic License
  29. ^ a b Северная Аврора № 12, 2010. Абхай КУМАР
  30. ^ "Contemporary poets, storywriters to exhibit their oratory skills at Sahitya Akademi", Yahoo News, 2 May 2011
  31. ^ "Young Indian poets, storywriters mesmerize audience with their skills"
  32. ^ "‘Diplomat poet’ creates rhymes from life" Millennium Post, 1 July 2012
  33. ^ Review of The Dance of the Peacock: An Anthology of English Poetry from India by Rob Harley, The Enchanting Verses Literary Review, Issue XIX, November 2013, pages 34-35
  34. ^ Review of HarperCollins Book of English Poetry by Roomy Naqvy Wasafiri Reviews Volume 28,Issue 3, 2013, 19 August 2013
  35. ^ "Foreign Service Poem" Diplomat Magazine, London, 23 January 2013
  36. ^ "Possessed Idiots and Deadly Demons" Pratilipi, December 2012
  37. ^ "Ghalib" The Missing Slate, 11 February 2014
  38. ^ Dornán Dánta le Abhay K Rogha Gabriel 13 January 2014
  39. ^ "Young Indian poets mesmerize audience with their skills"
  40. ^ [1]
  41. ^ "Sikkim Akademi hosts literary interaction programme"
  42. ^ [http://www.deccanherald.com/content/317786/saarc-literature-festival-begins-taj.html
  43. ^ Kritya.in Kritya, 6 October 2013
  44. ^ ANI 14 September 2013
  45. ^ IFS officer nominated for Pushcart Prize The Hindu,3 December 2012
  46. ^ K. Satchidanandan reads poems of Abhay K, 15 Nov 2011
  47. ^ A.J. "Thomas on Abhay K's new book Candling the Light 15 Nov 2011
  48. ^ Helena Sinervo reads Abhay K 19 September 2013
  49. ^ "Take it in a word" The Hindu, 12 May 2012
  50. ^ Download Earth Anthem Earth Anthem Website, 27 April 2014
  51. ^ [2] ICCR website, June 2013
  52. ^ "Indian diplomat in Nepal pens the Earth Anthem" IANS, 27 June 2013
  53. ^ [3] CBSE Website,6 October 2013
  54. ^ UNESCO Lauds Indian Poet's Idea of Earth Anthem Outlook, 28 February 2014
  55. ^ DIPLOMAT’S IDEA OF AN EARTH ANTHEM INSPIRING: UNESCO Hindustan Times,28 February 2014
  56. ^ Habitat for Humanity International gets people to sing Earth Anthem Business Standard, 30 August 2014
  57. ^ Indian diplomat pens "SAARC Anthem" NDTV, 3 December 2013
  58. ^ The Hindu, 4 December 2013
  59. ^ Indian diplomat's poem spurs search for SAARC anthem Hindustan Times, 9 January 2014
  60. ^ The Most Important Regional Organization That Nobody Has Heard Of The Huffington Post 12 May 2014
  61. ^ Nepal foreign minister expresses need for an anthem to connect SAARC nations Business Standard, 6 June 2014
  62. ^ SAARC Anthem to be played at Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony DNA, 25 May 2014
  63. ^ Song penned by Indian may become SAARC anthem The Sunday Guardian,16 August 2014
  64. ^ Pooja-Mahesh Bhatt praise SAARC anthem The Himalayan Times,06 August 2014
  65. ^ "A diplomatic web", The New Indian Express, 5 August 2011
  66. ^ "Poke your Babus Online" The Times of India, 26 March 2011.
  67. ^ "In the Service of the Nation", M.Y.O.D. 12 April 2012
  68. ^ India Perspectives, ISSUU 16 August 2012
  69. ^ Indian Diplomat turned Artist presents his works on Planetary Consciousness, ANI, 28 April 2011
  70. ^ "We have come far", Indrus, 15 April 2011
  71. ^ Art exhibition "We have come far" by Abhay Kumar opened at RCSC, rusembassy.in, 15 April 2011
  72. ^ "A second Life". Indian Express. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  73. ^ Artists highlight the glory of Delhi through poetry-paintings, Business Standard, 16 September 2014
  74. ^ Poet Abhay K wins SAARC Literature Award, IANS, 14 March 2013
  75. ^ "First Class Diploma to Abhay Kumar from the Steiglitz Academy of Art, St. Petersburg". Issuu.com. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  76. ^ "1st prize awarded to Abhay Kumar by Amity School of Business". Issuu.com. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  77. ^ "http://issuu.com/abhayk/docs/the_civil_servants_tale". Issuu.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  78. ^ "10 Questions of the Soul". Issuu.com. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  79. ^ "Цвет души". Issuu.com. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  80. ^ "Enigmatic Love". Issuu.com. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  81. ^ "Fallen Leaves of Autumn". Issuu.com. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  82. ^ "Candling the Light". IBNLive. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  83. ^ "Diplomat Abhay K. releases his new book Remains". Indian Express. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  84. ^ "Dream WINDOW". The Hindu. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.

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