Phurpa Lhamo 

Three Bhutanese poets are among 50 poets from across the world who are the recipients of the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Honours 2022.

The announcement was made by Motivational Strips and SIPAY journal. Motivational Strips is the world’s most active writers forum where writers interact with each other and share their writings.

The recipients from Bhutan are Seeta Maya Rai, a recent class XII graduate of Peljorling Higher Secondary School, Suk Raj Darjee, a class XII graduate of Damphu Central School and Tshering Zangmo from Tsirang.

The announcement of the 50 recipients was made on May 28 this year.

Seeta Maya Rai, 19, said that the recognition was an appreciation for whatever little things poets do. “It’s the trust of the giver and the promise of the receiver.”

To Suk Raj Darjee, 20, the recognition was an inspiration. This appreciation, he said, would further stimulate him to proceed forth with zeal, dedication and commitment.

“It’s a very proud moment for me to be one of the awardees,” said Tshering Zangmo, 22.

The three poets shared that they wrote several poems a month and contributed to the Motivational Strips forum.

“As I placed my weary soul on the welcoming shore of sea 

Thousand joys greeted me in sweet friendliness,

Walking yet nearer made me much happier 

By the hymnal waves of the calmest sea,”

reads one of Seeta Maya Rai’s poems.

Seeta said her love to give shape to expression and feelings made her write about numerous topics. However, nature bounds her interest the most.

In one of Tshering Zangmo’s poems, she reminisces about life and dreams one beholds. Her verses encourage one to hope for miracles and to live with dreams.

Suk Raj Darjee mostly writes depending on his mood and the scenery that surrounds him.

In his poem “On the other side of the window”, Suk describes the desire to travel back to childhood, but also facing the reality of adulthood.

“Thought to be an adult and wanted dreams to hold,

And often thought that I would find the fond face,

But who knew that there’d be another side to gaze,” 

a verse from “On the other side of the window,” reads.