Bhawani Shankar Nial (Prepared Angela Kosta)
Moderator 
Poems of Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial, Internationally Acclaimed Poet
India
BREAKING BOUNDARIES WITH POETRY: CELEBRATING THE WORK OF DR. BHAWANI SHANKAR NIAL
Born on July 6th, 1968, in Kalahandi, Odisha, India, Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial is an internationally acclaimed poet known for his innovative approach to poetry. Alongside his contributions as a poet, he has served as an editor, thinker, and human rights activist, working extensively throughout India. Dr. Nial has played a key role in numerous national organizations, founded several social, political, and cultural organizations, and has been a leader in various people's movements aimed at promoting sustainable development and participatory democracy.
Primarily writing in Odia, Dr. Nial has also penned poetry in Hindi. He has published three anthologies in Odia, two unpublished collections in Hindi, and two published English anthologies titled "Lockdown" and "An Encounter with Death" through Blue Rose Publication, London, New Delhi. Notably, Dr. Nial holds prominent editorial positions in several magazines. He serves as the editor of The Surjya, The Kalahandi Express, and The Bande Kalahandi. Additionally, he holds the esteemed role of Chief Editor of Mahuri, a literary magazine in the state of Odisha. As the Chairman of the Mahuri Award, he has been felicitating individuals who have made significant contributions to contemporary literature since 2008.
Dr. Nial's poetry has gained recognition on an international scale, with translations of his work available in 20 languages. Esteemed poets such as Bankim Mund and Gobinda Sahoo have translated his poems into English, Imanuela Rizzo into Italian, Sova Sovka Sovic into Serbian, Vellary Basyrov and Elena Danishina into Russian, Kitty Hsu into Chinese, Elizabeth Guyon Spennato into French, Zbigniew Miroslawski into Polish, Mohamed Helmy Al-Rishah into Arabic, Marjeta Shatro Rrapaj into Albanian and French, Dr. Jes Besin into Philippine, Mai Hao Do into Vietnamese, Shahid Abbas into Urdu, Mahua Das into Bengali, Antje Stehn into German, Maki Starfield into Japanese, Abdalieva Perisat Koshoevna into Kyrgyz, Zhang Zhi into Chinese, Tali Cohen Stabtal into Hebrew, Franca Colozo into Italian, and Megdalena A Kapuscinska into Polish. Irene Doura-Kavadia into Greek Language.
Dr. Nial's poetry explores contemporary themes and the human condition, intertwining the present with history, tradition, and societal issues. His work delves into the dynamics between men and women within male-dominated societies, shedding light on the exploitation of women. As a modern writer, he emphasizes subjective memory and aims to connect individuals with their contemporary world. His poetry, often allusive and intricate in language, encompasses symbols, images, myths, metaphors, and similes to evoke a rich and powerful poetic vision.
The accomplishments of Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial have garnered international recognition. He participated in the World Poetry Day Italy 2021 and the World Poetry Meet France 2021. His contributions have been acknowledged through various international awards, including the International Ambassador for Peace by WLFPHR (Bhutan), Global Peace Ambassador by Iqra Foundation (India), Global Star Award by Global Footprint (Bangladesh), Police Material Art Award by South Korea, and the Literary Luminaries Award-2021 by the School of Art and Poetry (Nizeria). Global Talent Icon Award by KGN Humanity Social Services Foundation and Goal Acquisition Institute, International Leadership Award-23 by Future Media And Publications. Dr Nial was also appointed as the Chairman, organizing Committee (India) in the Prestigious Panorama International literature Festival-2022. Moreover, the Maxican Morocco Cultural & Humanitarian Alliance has bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his efforts in promoting a culture of peace, coexistence, humanity, tolerance, and his literary contributions. Dr. Nial's work has been published in numerous international literary journals, solidifying his status as a global literary figure.
Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial's poems have appeared in various anthologies, including "Tradition of International Poetry 2023" by Zhang Zhi (China), "Minotaura 2021" by Marilyne Bentonciri (France), "Poetariat 2022" by Magdalena Kapuscinska (Poland), "www.laracherche.it 2022" (Italy), "IWA BOGDANI 2022" by Jeton Kelmendi (Belgium), "Poe Tree-2022," "CARDENAL 2022" by Maria Del Castillo Sucerquia, "Anthology Arabian Night 2022" by Ashraf Abdul Yazid Asharls Dali, "Poetic Voice of the World - 2022" by Dr. Morelne Pasin and Dr. Mountasir Aziz Morosco, "Lit Glean 2021" by Syed Arshed (London), and "Red Carpet" (Colombia).
Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial's recent book launch at Raj Bhavan Odisha, where his two English poetry books 'Lockdown' and 'An Encounter with Death' were inaugurated by His Excellency the Governor of Odisha, Prof. Ganeshi Lal, has received widespread congratulatory messages from the literary community of Kalahandi. The Governor expressed his appreciation for the high quality of the books and extended his best wishes for Dr. Nial's continued creative journey.
As a literary luminary, Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial continues to leave an indelible mark on the global literary landscape, representing Odisha with his remarkable contributions and accomplishments. His journey is a testament to the power of words and the transformative potential of literature. His contributions to the literary world and his unwavering commitment to bridging cultures and uniting nations through literature mark him as a true literary visionary.
WHEN DID I CRY LAST?
Original Odia - Dr.Bhawani Shankar Nial
Translated by : Dr.Tapan Kumar Rath
I know nothing
how it flies away
through my East Window
when I was
busy with my lot.
I am busy in using
myself in the name of
fame and felicitations.
But to my utter surprise
he was not seen and not
in my fist any more,
but I feel
he is here in me,
in my world very much
he is here
in all my ups and downs
in all directions.
His presence abounds
in me perhaps.
But I could not find him
after a thorough search
Now I couldn’t remember
when I cried last
in which sunset and
in which century.
WORDS ARE DESTINED TO DIE
by Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial
Transcreated by : Dr.Tapan Kumar Rath
India
Sometimes it happens
like this
that the words that
crops-up in the garden
of my daughter ladels out
greenery in literature,
or
brings a bitter cold
in the environment
or
brings a change against
the undemocratic decision
of the Government
or
brings famine and
destroys all the possessions
of centuries.
It’s quite natural that
words may bring changes
in seasons
but
sometimes the words too
commit suicide and die
when they do not
get oxygen like human beings
when their own people
do not have any bonding
more or less.
Original Odia - “Sabda ku bi Maribaku Pade”
EYE’S EARTH AND I
by Dr. Bhawani Shankar Nial
Transcreated by : Dr.Tapan Kumar Rath
India
It was not so easy
to free oneself
from the earth in her eye
where there sunk
the great water falls,
the deep woods,
the cliffs and islands
blue skies, concealed
lakes and dews
on the morning grass.
Of course
it was not so easy
to leave the familiar
foes and friends,
Gods and demons
and even the aliens.
Though I’m able to
escape from her eye
and the earth in it
I left there
the horrible experiences
of the wars,
the successful stories
of love and
the art of living
with a meagre income.
I’m also away from
the silence that
leads me to salvation.
Original Odia - “Akshira Prithvi”
Prepared Angela Kosta
