Sunil Pokharel (Nepali: सुनील पोखरेल; born on 16 June 1963) is a Nepalese theatre artist and director.[1] He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Nepali theatre.[2][3][4] He is a graduate of National School of Drama, India (1987).[5][6] He has directed more than four dozens of varied Nepali, Indian and European plays.[4][7]
Sunil Pokharel | |
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सुनील पोखरेल | |
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Born | Noula, Khotang District, Nepal | 16 June 1963
Nationality | Nepalese |
Alma mater | National School of Drama, India |
Notable work | Putaliko Ghar, Agniko Katha, Yajnaseni |
Spouse | Nisha Sharma |
Relatives | Sugam Pokharel (brother) |
Awards | National Talent Award |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Sunil_pokharel_with_students.jpg/220px-Sunil_pokharel_with_students.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Sunil_Pokharel_on_Stage.jpg/220px-Sunil_Pokharel_on_Stage.jpg)
Early life
editSunil Pokharel was born in Noula village, in Khotang District in Nepal on 16 June 1963 as the first child of his parents. When he was an adolescent, his family moved to Mangalbare in Morang district, near Biratnagar. He completed his school education from Gograha Higher Secondary School in Biratnagar.[6][8]
Education
editPokhrel got a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, India in 1984. He earned his diploma in drama from this Indian government owned institution.[6]
Career
editSunil Pokharel started his career as a theatre artist at the age of thirteen, when he was in School. In initial days, he worked with artist and director Badri Adhikari and Ramesh Budhathoki in Biratnagar.[8] Later, he moved to Kathmandu and worked in guidance of veteran Nepali theater artist Harihar Sharma. While working in Kathmandu, Pokharel got a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, India.,[6] After returning from his study in NSD, Pokharel established Aarohan Gurukul, the first drama school in the country. He is the artistic director of Aarohan Theatre Group and Principle of Gurukul: school of theatre.[6][9]
Family
editSunil Pokhrel is the elder brother of Nepalese pop singer Sugam Pokhrel. He and Badri Adhikari met Nisha Sharma while she was still at school. They had cast her sister as the lead in their production and they wanted a girl to play her sister. Nisha was cast despite her sister's worries that the job would distract her from her studies. Nisha became a successful actor, the chancellor of an acting academy (and his wife).[10]
Major works
editAs a director
edit- Agniko Katha - by Abhi Subedi
- Yajnaseni - by Suman Pokhrel
- Mayadeviko Sapana - by Abhi Subedi
- Putaliko Ghar - (Nepali translation of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House)
- Nyayapremi - (Nepali translation of Albert Camus's Les Justes)
- Midnait Samar Sapana - (Nepali translation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream)
- Jayamaya Aaphu Matra Lekhapani Aaipugi (Based on a story of same title by Indra Bahadur Rai)
- Hariyo Dhunga (Based on a story of same title by Upendra Subba)
- Arko Artha Nagalema (Based on newspaper articles written by Sharat Chandra Wasti and published in Kantipur Daily)
As an actor
edit- Putaliko Ghar - (Nepali translation of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House with Nisha Sharma as Nora)[11]
- Jaat Sodhnu Jogiko - (Nepali translation of Vijay Tendulkar's Jāt Hi Poochho Sādhu Ki)
- Nyayapremi - (Nepali translation of Albert Camus's Les Justes)
- Khariko Ghero - (Nepali translation of Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle)
- Idamitham - by Sarubhakta
As a translator
edit- Translation of the play A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen in Nepali as Putaliko Ghar
Awards
edit- National Talent Award conferred by Government of Nepal
References
edit- ^ kantipur (13 April 2015). "Sunil Pokharel, Nepali theatre guru – Boss Nepal". Bossnepal.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ Roark, Carolyn (29 June 2013). "Interview with Sunil Pokharel - Ecumenica". Ecumenicajournal.org. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ "American Conversations with Pioneer Theatre Activist Mr. Sunil Pokharel (Episode 19) Part 2". YouTube. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ a b "Reading-a way of life - The Collegian - The Kathmandu Post". Kathmandupost.ekantipur.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ Ameeta Sharma (10 July 2008). "Sunil Pokharel". Theatre Pasta. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d e He is also the brother of popular Nepalese singar Sugam Pokharel"The Guru of Gurukul - Entertainment - The Kathmandu Post". Kathmandupost.ekantipur.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ "छुट्टाछुट्टै 'सोलो' नाटक लिएर अमेरिका जाँदै सुनील-निशा दम्पती". Kala.setopati.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ a b "एक रंगकर्मीको जिन्दगी: नाटक गर्दागर्दै झन्डै डिभोर्स भयो".
- ^ Post Report. "Theatre artist Sunil Pokharel admitted to Norvic ICU - General - The Kathmandu Post". Kathmandupost.ekantipur.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ DHODARI, JANUKA (19 February 2023). "'Beyond my dreams'". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Nora walks out". Dinesh Wagle on Nepali Society. 14 March 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2024.