Embassy of India and B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation organized 14th edition of Voices on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Nepal Bharat Library, Nepal Airlines Building, New Road Gate.

In this edition of Voices, noted Indian poet Bibhu Padhi spoke about his literary journey and the technicalities involved in poetry.

He began, “I have been suffering from migraine from my early teens. One day in 1975, I had a severe migraine pain and I took three painkillers without any prescriptions and in an empty stomach. As a result, this caused irritation in my stomach; I spitted blood and was admitted in a hospital for over a month. This was the time when I saw people dying before my eyes everyday and death was there looking into my eyes staring at me closely, and passing by me. After I was discharged, I wrote my first poem - From the Extra Medical Ward. I have been writing poems ever since then.”

Padhi, whose work has been published in many literary journals of India and abroad, has penned nine anthologies to his credit.

He added on the techniques of writing poems, “One should not rush to pen a poem. One should wait for the poem to come. When I sit to write, I usually look for the first line or the last line. And once there are there, they complete the remaining body of my poem. I cannot say what instigates each of you to write but with me, it was even my depression that helped me write more.” He chuckled and elaborated, “All my friends and even my wife used to say that the time when one is depressed is the most creative time to indulge in. I do believe in that today.”

Padhi also recited some of his selected poems including the first he wrote From the Extra Medical Ward. Talking about his inspirations, he said, “I have been largely inspired by the writings of great poets like Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings, Pritish Nandy, Jayanta Mahapatra and Pablo Neruda.”

Secretary of B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, poet and diplomat Abhay Kumar facilitated the talk by indulging the audience and poet Bibhu Padhi at the end of the event.

According to a press release of Indian Embassy, Abhay Kumar also thanked poet Padhi for visiting Nepal and sharing his ideas on 14th edition of Voices. He said, “We are truly privileged to have poet Bibu Padhi with us today. Despite being such an acclaimed poet, he truly is down to earth, humble and one of those powerful poets, whose works are vibrant, provoking and meaningful.”

The event concluded with Padhi interacting with audience on different techniques and styles of poetry.