Abhay Kumar Explained

Abhay K.
Birth Name:Abhay Kumar
Birth Place:Rajgir, Bihar, India
Nationality:Indian
Alma Mater:Kirori Mal CollegeJawaharlal Nehru University
Occupation:Poet, Diplomat, Editor, Anthologist, Ambassador
Known For:Poetry, Diplomacy, Earth Anthem, Moon Anthem, Sun Anthem, Cosmic Anthems, Bihari Literature

Abhay Kumar [Pen Name '''Abhay K.'''] is an Indian poet-diplomat, editor, translator and anthologist.[1] and currently serves as the deputy director general of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2003 after doing master's in geography at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Kirorimal College, Delhi University. He served as India's 21st ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros from 2019-2022[2] [3] [4] and as India's Deputy Ambassador to Brazil from 2016-2019. He earlier served as Spokesperson and First Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal from 2012-2016 and as Acting Consul General of India in St. Petersburg, and Third/Second Secretary at Indian Embassy, Moscow, Russia from 2005 to 2010. He served as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of External Affairs from 2010-2012 and sent out the first tweet on its behalf in 2010 starting a new era of India's Digital Diplomacy.[5]

His published collections of poetry include Celestial,Stray Poems,Monsoon, The Magic of Madagascar, The Alphabets of Latin America, The Prophecy of Brasilia, The Eight-Eyed Lord of Kathmandu, The Seduction of Delhi among others, while his edited books are CAPITALS, 100 Great Indian Poems, 100 More Great Indian Poems, New Brazilian Poems, The Bloomsbury Anthology of Great Indian Poems, The Bloomsbury Book of Great Indian Love Poems, The Book of Bihari Literature among others. His Earth Anthem has been translated into over 150 languages [6] [7] and was played at the United Nations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Earth Day.[8] He also wrote an anthem for SAARC spurring search for an official SAARC Anthem. He wrote a 'Moon Anthem' to celebrate the success of India's Moon Mission Chandrayaan-2.[9] [10] and Chandrayaan-3.[11] He also penned a Sun Anthem to mark the launch of ISRO's Aditya-L1[12] He has penned anthems on all the planets in the Solar System.[13] His translation of the first Magahi novel Fool Bahadur will be published by Penguin Random House in 2024.He received the SAARC Literary Award for his contribution to contemporary South Asian poetry and was nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2013. He has also been honoured with Asia-Pacific Excellence Award in 2014. His The Seduction of Delhi was shortlisted for Muse India-Satish Verma Young Writer Award 2015. He has been called a 'World Poet' by Pulitzer Prize winning poet Vijay Seshadri[14] His translation of Kalidasa's Meghaduta and Ritusamhara received Kalinga Literary Festival 2020-2021 Poetry Book of the Year Award.[15] while The Book of Bihari Literature edited by him received KLF Book Award 2022.[16] He recorded his poems at the Library of Congress.[17] His poem 'The Partitioned Land' was taught at the Cornell University in the Fall 2021.[18] His book-length poem 'Monsoon' has been chosen by Harvard University's assistant professor Sarah Dimick to study for a book project on Climate and Literature along with the two books of Amitava Ghosh.[19] He was elected as a foreign corresponding member of Brazilian Academy of Letters in 2023.[20]

Early life and education

Abhay was born and raised near Rajgir in Nalanda district of Bihar. He studied at 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, U.S. foreign policy at George Washington University and has a Certificate in Poetry Writing from the International Writing Program, University of Iowa.[21] He studied Nepali at Tribhuvan University and a diplomacy module at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He speaks Magahi, Hindi, English, Russian, Nepali, Portuguese and knows French and Sanskrit.

Career

Diplomat

He is an Indian Foreign Service officer and has served in various positions at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the government of India and at the Indian missions and posts abroad in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kathmandu, Brasilia and Antananarivo. At the MEA headquarters in New Delhi he served as the Under Secretary Digital diplomacy and sent the first tweet after setting up an official Twitter account of the Ministry of External Affairs of India in 2010.[5] [22] He served as the spokesperson of the Embassy of India, Kathmandu from 2012 to 2015.[23] He was appointed Director of the Nehru Centre, London in March 2015 however he could not take up the assignment.[24] [25] Subsequently, he was appointed as India's Deputy High Commissioner to Australia in August 2015 however could not take up the assignment.[26] He served as India's Deputy Chief of Mission to Brazil from 2016-2019 and as India's 21st Ambassador to the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar[27] and Comoros from 2019-2022. He currently serves as the Deputy Director General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations responsible for cultural events during India's presidency of G-20 from December 2022-November 2023.He started Indian Foreign Service Day celebrations on 9 October 2011.[28] He also proposed celebration of the International Day of Diplomats on the United Nations Day[29] which was celebrated in Brasilia for the first time on 24 October 2017 with the participation of diplomats from several countries.[30] The second International Day was celebrated in Brasilia while the third one was celebrated in Madagascar.[31] The fourth International Day of Diplomats was celebrated globally.[32] The Embassy of India, Antananarivo became the first Indian Embassy to go solar on 2 October 2020 during his tenure as Ambassador of India to Madagascar[33] and to have a Street Library.[34]

Writer

Abhay's first book titled River Valley to Silicon Valley(2007) was a memoir that also contained his first poem, 'Soul Song'.[35] Robert Fay in his piece 'In Search of the Writer-Diplomat tradition' writes- "India continues to maintain this venerable tradition, with poet Abhay Kumar serving in recent years as the Indian Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros."[36]

Poet

He has published a dozen collections of poetry:

Enigmatic Love (2009)

Love poems from Moscow (Bookwell|2009)[37] In his first collection of poems written during his stay in Moscow, Abhay K. explores various shades of love and mystery associated with this universal emotion.

Fallen Leaves of Autumn (2010)

In his second poetry collection Abhay K. turns to nature to seek solace and explores human-nature relationship.

Candling the Light (2011)

In his third collection of poems written during his stay in Russia, the poet turns philosophical and deals with existential issues faced by humanity.

Remains(2012)

In his fourth poetry collection the poet engages with various figures of Russia such as Gogol, Pushkin, Dostoevsky among others and life in St.Petersburg.

The Seduction of Delhi (2014)

In his fifth poetry collection written during his stay in Delhi (2010–2012), Abhay K. takes the readers to a poetic ride across the seven cities of Delhi, introduces them to its people, monuments and history. Poet Jayanta Mahapatra, thinks "qualities of love, tenderness and compassion set Abhay K's work apart from much of the general run of current poetics."[38]

The Eight-Eyed Lord of Kathmandu (2017)

The Eight-Eyed Lord of Kathmandu (2017) is a collection on the UNESCO World Heritage sites, festivals, historical personalities, landscapes and prominent places of Nepal written during his stay in Nepal from 2012 to 2015.[39] It was translated into Nepali by Kishore Nepal as Jatra[40] and in Odia by Monalisa Jena as Ashtanetra.

The Prophecy of Brasilia (2018)

In his haiku like short poems, Abhay K. creates a poetic portrait of the Brazil's capital city.

The Alphabets of Latin America(2020)

Pulitzer Prize winning poet Forrest Gander says about The Alphabets of Latin America(2020)-"Abhay K. has a great sense of lineation, of understatement, of memorable, very particular images, and of manuscript structure."[41]

The Magic of Madagascar (2021)

The Magic of Madagascar is a bilingual (Eng-French) collection of haiku written by Abhay K. during his stay in the Indian ocean island of Madagascar (2019–2022) which introduces the reader to the rich and unique flora and fauna of Madagascar and its warm and friendly people and monuments.

Monsoon (2022)

Monsoon is a poem of 150 stanzas of four lines each written by Abhay K. during his stay in Madagascar which follows the path of monsoon from Madagascar to the Himalayas.

Stray Poems (2022)

Stray Poems is his 11th collection of poems written between 2010–2020, which contain poems such as The Partitioned Land, Diplomacy, Cosmic Anthems among others.

Celestial (2023)

Celestial is a love poem of 100 rhyming couplets illustrated with the drawings of 10th century Persian astrononer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi. It takes the reader on a poetic ride across all the 88 constellations visible from Earth.

Poems in poetry journals and anthologies

Abhay's poems have appeared in several magazines and literary journals including Poetry Salzburg Review,[42] The Asia Literary Review,[43] Gargoyle,[44] and The Caravan.[45] His poems have also been included in a number of anthologies including

Abhay has read his poems at major poetry and literature festivals across the globe.[46] [47] [48]

In 2022 he appeared on the podcast, The Literary City with Ramjee Chandran, to talk about his career as a poet diplomat.

Editor

CAPITALS

In 2017, CAPITALS, an anthology of poems on the capital cities of the world edited by Abhay K., was released. It brought poets together from across the planet and included contributions from Derek Walcott, Vijay Seshadri, George Szirtes, and Ruth Padel among other prominent poets from 185 countries.

100 Great Indian Poems

100 Great Indian Poems (2018) is an anthology of Indian poetry edited covering over 3000 years of Indian poetry and 28 Indian languages.[49] It has been translated and published into Portuguese,[50] Spanish,[51] Italian,[52] [53] Malagasy and Arabic.It has also been translated into French, Russian and Nepali, which will be published soon.[54] [55]

New Brazilian Poems

This anthology selected, edited and translated by Abhay K. contains the works of 60 contemporary Brazilian poets.

100 More Great Indian Poems

It is a sequel of 100 Great Indian Poems and was published in 2019 by Bloomsbury India.

The Bloomsbury Anthology of Great Indian Poems

It is a collection of 200 Great Indian Poems edited by Abhay K. and published in 2020.

The Bloomsbury Book of Great Indian Love Poems

He has also edited The Bloomsbury Book of Great Indian Love Poems sweeping through three millennia and over two dozen Indian languages.[56]

The Book of Bihari Literature

It is a first anthology of its kind edited by Abhay K. which brings together poems and short stories from ten languages of Bihar spanning over 3000 years into English translation. It was published in October 2022 by HarperCollins India.

Translator

He has translated poems of 60 Brazilian poets from Portuguese and Kālidāsa's Meghadūta and Ritusamhara from Sanskrit.[57] His translation of the first Magahi novel Fool Bahadurby Jayanath Pati is forthcoming from Penguin Random House.

Lyricist

In 2013 Abhay released Earth Anthem, a song intended as an anthem for the planet Earth, written by him and translated into eight languages including six official UN languages – Arabic, Chinese, French, English, Russian and Spanish – as well as Hindi and Nepali. It was set to music by Sapan Ghimire and sung by Shreya Sotang from Nepal.[58] It has been translated into over 150 languages.[59] [60] On World Environment Day 2017, Abhay K's Earth Anthem composed by L. Subramaniam and sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy was released in Brasilia.[61] A New video of Earth Anthem was released on 22 April 2020 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Earth Day.[62] Over 100 eminent artists from across the world came together to read Earth Anthem to mark 51st anniversary of Earth Day on 22 April 2021.[63] Abhay also wrote an anthem for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in an attempt to foster South Asian consciousness and bring the member states of SAARC together.[64] [65] It has spurred discussions on the need for an official SAARC Anthem.[66] He is the first Indian poet invited to record his poems at the Library of Congress.[17] He wrote Moon Anthem to mark the landing of Chandrayaan 2 on the Moon, which has been composed by Dr. L. Subramaniam and sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy.[67] He has penned anthems on all the planets in the solar system.[68]

Artist

Abhay's art works use geometric forms and focus on evolution of planetary consciousness.[69] He has had solo exhibitions of his paintings in St. Petersburg, Paris, New Delhi, Brasilia and Antananarivo.[70] [71] [72] [73] * "The geometry of Malevich and the musical coloured vision of Matyushin gain typical Indian colour vibrancy and even somewhat folklore inflections in his abstract and semi-abstract works." — Andrey Khlobystn

Poetry-paintings of Abhay K and Italian artist Tarshito exhibited at the National Academy of Art, New Delhi highlight Delhi's glorious past.[74]

Awards and recognition

Literary works

Poetry books

Translated

Edited

Non-fiction

Research work on poetry of Abhay K.

A PhD on "Cultural Construct of Self: A Critical Study of Abhay Kumar's Poetry" was awarded by Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India to Amit Dhawan in 2017.[99] [100] Academician Sapna Dogra has written a research paper comparing 'A River'of A.K. Ramanujan and 'Yamuna' of Abhay K.[101] [102]

Quotes

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/unesco-finds-indian-poet-diplomat-s-idea-of-an-earth-anthem-inspiring-114022700403_1.html UNESCO finds Indian poet-diplomat's idea of an Earth Anthem inspiring
  2. https://www.eoiantananarivo.gov.in/page/amb-profile/ Ambassador's Profile
  3. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/30580/Abhay_Kumar_appointed_as_the_next_Ambassador_of_India_to_the_Republic_of_Madagascar Abhay Kumar appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Madagascar
  4. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/31393/Abhay+Kumar+concurrently+accredited+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+the+Union+of+the+Comoros Abhay Kumar concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Union of the Comoros
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20140303163028/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/article481161.ece "A diplomatic web"
  6. https://www.earthanthem.net/p/earth-anthem-by-abhay-k.html Earth anthem in 150+ languages
  7. https://in.news.yahoo.com/world-biodiversity-day-earth-anthem-041304991.html World Biodiversity Day: Earth Anthem by Indian poet-diplomat translated into 100 languages
  8. https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/un-commemorates-earth-day-with-earth-anthem-penned-by-indian-poet-diplomat-abhay-kumar/1942069/ UN commemorates Earth Day with ‘Earth Anthem’ penned by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar
  9. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/nalanda-born-diplomat-writes-anthem-on-moon/articleshow/71038828.cms Nalanda-born diplomat writes anthem on Moon
  10. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ahead-of-chandrayaan-2-landing-indian-poet-diplomat-pens-moon-anthem-2096721 Ahead of Chandrayaan 2 Landing Poet-Diplomat writes Moon Anthem
  11. https://www.indiatoday.in/science/chandrayaan-3/story/chandrayaan-3-landing-poet-diplomat-moon-anthem-abhay-k-2425306-2023-08-23 Ahead of Chandrayaan-3 landing, poet-diplomat Abhay K pens 'Moon anthem'
  12. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/adityal1-launch-live-poet-diplomat-abhay-k-pens-sun-anthem-ahead-of-launch-101693630593642.html Poet-diplomat Abhay K pens Sun Anthem ahead of Aditya-L1 launch
  13. https://scroll.in/article/981834/christmas-conjunction-of-planets-ten-anthems-for-the-solar-system Ten anthems for the solar system
  14. https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/culture/indian-poet-abhay-k-receives-warm-welcome-in-usa201810171616030005/ Indian poet Abhay K. receives warm welcome in the United States
  15. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/poet-diplomat-abhay-ks-translation-of-kalidasas-meghaduta-ritusamhara-win-klf-poetry-book-of-the-year-award-2020-2120210909002038/ Poet-diplomat Abhay K's translation of Kalidasa's 'Meghaduta', 'Ritusamhara' win KLF Poetry Book of the Year Award 2020-21
  16. https://theprint.in/india/abhay-k-gets-klf-book-award-for-the-book-of-bihari-literature/1397811/>Abhay K. gets KLF Book Award for ‘The Book of Bihari Literature
  17. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/abhay-k-first-indian-poet-to-record-poems-at-library-of-congress201808301334210003/Abhay K first Indian poet to record poems at Library of Congress
  18. Revisiting Kashmir: A Survey and Literature and Culture. Cornell University, Fall 2021
  19. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/indian-literature-has-much-stronger-sense-of-rain-and-dryness-says-harvard-varsity-academician/article65942785.ece Indian literature has much stronger sense of rain and dryness, says Harvard varsity academician
  20. https://theprint.in/world/indian-poet-abhay-k-elected-as-corresponding-member-of-academy-of-letters-of-brazil/1337231/ Indian poet Abhay K elected as corresponding member of Academy of Letters of Brazil
  21. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121216/people.htm#2 "Diplomat-writer, who pens verse"
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20120829212645/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TCRM/2011/03/26&ViewMode=GIF&PageLabel=29&EntityId=Ar02800&AppName=2 "Poke your Babus Online"
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/world/asia/nepal-rations-fuel-as-political-crisis-with-india-worsens.html?_r=0 Nepal Rations Fuel as Political Crisis With India Worsens
  24. http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-appoints-poet-diplomat-as-nehru-centre-director-in-uk-115032600553_1.html India appoints poet-diplomat as Nehru Centre Director in UK
  25. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/abhay-k-to-head-nehru-centre-in-london/article7041831.ece Abhay K. to head Nehru Centre in London
  26. http://aninews.in/newsdetail2/story235297/abhay-k-appointed-india-039-s-deputy-high-commissioner-to-australia.html Abhay K appointed India's Deputy High Commissioner to Australia
  27. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/30580/Abhay+Kumar+appointed+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+the+Republic+of+Madagascar Abhay Kumar appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Madagascar
  28. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IFS-officials-building-their-own-traditions/articleshow/23921012.cms IFS officials building their own traditions
  29. https://www.dailyo.in/voices/ifs-indian-foreign-service-diplomats-diplomacy-united-nations/story/1/20024.html Why the world needs International Day of Diplomats, our everyday peacekeepers
  30. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/first-international-day-of-diplomats-celebrated-in-brasilia-117102500158_1.html First International Day of Diplomats celebrated in Brasilia
  31. https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/third-international-day-of-diplomats-celebrated-in-madagascar-s-capital-antananarivo-119102600363_1.html Third International Day of Diplomats celebrated in Madagascar
  32. http://www.businessworld.in/article/4th-International-Diplomats-Day-celebrated-globally/25-10-2020-335369/ 4th International Diplomats Day Celebrated Globally
  33. https://news.mongabay.com/2020/10/indian-embassy-in-madagascar-becomes-first-to-go-fully-solar/ Indian embassy in Madagascar becomes first to go fully solar
  34. https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/street-library-embassy-of-india-antananarivo-madagascar-532581.html With Literary Fiction, Biographies & History Books, Street Library Opens At Embassy Of India Antananarivo
  35. https://web.archive.org/web/20070817221711/http://www.hindu.com/lr/2007/08/05/stories/2007080550120400.htm The Hindu Literary Review 2007
  36. http://robertfay.com/2020/09/in-search-of-the-writer-diplomat-tradition/ In Search of the Writer-Diplomat Tradition
  37. Web site: Enigmatic Love . Issuu.com . 2010-08-04 . 2012-11-21 . 10 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810040853/http://issuu.com/abhayk/docs/enigmatic_love . dead .
  38. http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/books-and-more-diplomat-abhay-k-s-book-the-seduction-of-delhi-to-be-launched-at-jaipur-literature-festival-2051372 Diplomat Abhay K's book 'The Seduction of Delhi' to be launched at Jaipur Literature Festival
  39. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2015-07-31/the-poetics-of-public-places.html The poetics of public places:How poetry from a poet-diplomat can turn into spiritual healing
  40. http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/World/20150423/2577888.html Now, go on a 'Jatra' of poems on Nepal
  41. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/diplomat-abhay-k-new-poetry-collection-out-offers-fascinating-roller-coaster-ride-into-latin-america20200725101132/ Diplomat Abhay K's new poetry collection out, offers fascinating roller coaster ride into Latin America
  42. http://www.poetrysalzburg.com/ Poetry Salzburg Review Issue 30
  43. http://www.asialiteraryreview.com/users/abhay-k
  44. http://www.gargoylemagazine.com/gargoyle/Issues/Issue65.php/Gargoyle#65
  45. http://caravanmagazine.in/poetry/dara-shikoh-and-other-poems Dara Shikoh and other poems
  46. https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/poetdiplomat-brings-indian-poetry-to-medellin-colombia/1098032 Poet-diplomat brings Indian poetry to Medellin, Colombia
  47. https://in.news.yahoo.com/poets-across-world-come-together-york-read-poems-063923992.html Poets from across the world come together to read poems on capital cities
  48. http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/buenos-aires-to-get-a-taste-of-indian-poetry-2845672/ Buenos Aires to get a taste of Indian poetry
  49. https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/100-great-indian-poems-9789386950932/ 100 Great Indian Poems
  50. http://www.revistas.usp.br/clt/issue/view/10561 100 Grandes Poemas da India
  51. http://editorialuniversitaria.uanl.mx/index.php/2018/10/16/cien-grandes-poemas-de-la-india/ Cien Grandes Poemas de la India
  52. http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia/diversao-e-arte/2018/01/20/interna_diversao_arte,654422/antologia-100-grandes-poemas-da-india.shtml Antologia traduz para o português pérolas da poesia indiana
  53. http://brasiliainfoco.com/entrevista-com-abhay-k-100-grandes-poemas-da-india-uma-antologia-de-grandes-poemas-do-mundo-para-a-india/ Entrevista com Abhay K .100 Grandes Poemas da Índia
  54. https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/arabic-edition-of-100-great-indian-poems-launched-at-sharjah-book-fair-7619788/ Arabic edition of ‘100 Great Indian Poems’ launched at Sharjah Book Fair
  55. https://scroll.in/article/865259/a-diplomat-is-taking-indian-poetry-to-the-world-through-translations-of-a-hundred-great-poems "A diplomat is taking Indian poetry to the world through translations of a hundred ‘great poems’"
  56. https://scroll.in/article/977483/this-new-anthology-of-love-poems-from-india-sweeps-through-histories-geographies-and-societies This new anthology of love poems from India sweeps through histories, geographies and societies
  57. https://madrascourier.com/art-and-poetry/what-kalidasa-teaches-us-about-the-lockdown-loss-of-biodiversity-climate-change/ What Kalidasa teaches us about Lockdown, Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
  58. http://www.iccrindia.net/programmes2013/earthanthem-june2013.pdf
  59. https://web.archive.org/web/20131106103239/http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Indian-diplomat-pens-anthem-for-earth/2013/06/05/article1620381.ece "Indian Diplomat pens anthem for Earth"
  60. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/indian-diplomat-in-nepal-pens-the-earth-anthem-113062700146_1.html "Indian diplomat in Nepal pens the Earth Anthem"
  61. http://www.dailypioneer.com/potpourri/poet-diplomats-earth-anthem-enlivened-by-maestro-l-subramaniam-kavita-krishnamurthy.html Poet-diplomat's Earth Anthem enlivened by maestro L. Subramaniam, Kavita Krishnamurthy
  62. https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/earth-day-l-surbramaniam-abhay-k-kavita-krishnamurti-release-new-anthem-on-50th-anniversary-8287691.html Earth Day: L Surbramaniam, Abhay K, Kavita Krishnamurti release new anthem on 50th anniversary
  63. https://indianexpress.com/article/world/on-earth-day-eminent-artists-from-across-the-world-to-read-earth-anthem-7284143/ On Earth Day, over 100 eminent artists from across the world to read ‘Earth Anthem’ penned by senior Indian diplomat
  64. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/indian-diplomat-pens-saarc-anthem-453867 Indian diplomat pens "SAARC Anthem"
  65. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/indian-diplomat-pens-saarc-anthem-with-image/article5418956.ece The Hindu
  66. https://web.archive.org/web/20140110163916/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indian-diplomat-s-poem-spurs-search-for-saarc-anthem/article1-1170930.aspx Indian diplomat's poem spurs search for SAARC anthem
  67. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/moon-anthem-penned-by-diplomat-poet-abhay-k-releases20191027103008/ Moon Anthem penned by Abhay K. releases
  68. https://www.hindustantimes.com/it-s-viral/indian-diplomat-poet-releases-video-of-cosmic-anthems-to-mark-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-saturn/story-OrcuD9LLon9arSq3kvzxfO.html Indian diplomat-poet releases video of cosmic anthems to mark great conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn
  69. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfQG9ieZPV8 Indian Diplomat turned Artist presents his works on Planetary Consciousness
  70. https://archive.today/20120710085437/http://indrus.in/articles/2011/04/15/we_have_come_far_12381.html "We have come far"
  71. http://rusembassy.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2502%3Aart-exhibition-we-have-come-far-by-abhay-kumar-opened-at-rcsc&catid=4%3Aembassy-news&lang=en Art exhibition "We have come far" by Abhay Kumar opened at RCSC
  72. News: A second Life. The Indian Express. 2011-05-04. 2012-11-24.
  73. https://theprint.in/world/universe-an-exhibition-of-paintings-by-abhay-k-opens-in-madagascar/981325/ UniVerse: An exhibition of paintings by Abhay K. opens in Madagascar
  74. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/artists-highlight-the-glory-of-delhi-through-poetry-paintings-114091600941_1.html Artists highlight the glory of Delhi through poetry-paintings
  75. Web site: 1st prize awarded to Abhay Kumar by Amity School of Business. Issuu.com . 2012-11-23.
  76. http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/ifs-officer-nominted-for-coveted-pushcart-prize/87203/ "IFS officer nominated for coveted Pushcart Prize", 2 December 2012
  77. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Books/LiteraryBuzz/Poet-Abhay-K-wins-SAARC-Literature-Award/Article1-1026412.aspx "Poet Abhay K wins SAARC Literature Award"
  78. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Books/Chunk-HT-UI-BooksSectionPage-LiteraryBuzz/Five-writers-honoured-at-SAARC-Literature-Festival/Article1-1024426.aspx "Five writers honoured at the SAARC Literature Festival"
  79. http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/asia-pacific-excellence-award-to-indian-poet-diplomat-abhay-k-114101400319_1.html Asia-Pacific Excellence Award to Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K
  80. Web site: Fallen Leaves of Autumn . Issuu.com . 2010-08-04 . 2012-11-21 . 10 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810040901/http://issuu.com/abhayk/docs/fallenleavesofautumn . dead .
  81. Web site: Candling the Light . https://web.archive.org/web/20140605140403/http://ibnlive.in.com/newstopics/Candling-the-Light.html . dead . 2014-06-05 . CNN-IBN . 2011-11-07 . 2012-11-22.
  82. Web site: Diplomat Abhay K. releases his new book Remains. The Indian Express. 2012-07-01 . 2012-11-22.
  83. Web site: Dream WINDOW. The Hindu. 2012-07-01 . 2012-11-22.
  84. http://onslaughtpress.com/product/the-eight-eyed-lord-of-kathmandu/ The Eight-Eyed Lord of Kathmandu
  85. https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/the-alphabets-of-latin-america-9789389867909/ The Alphabets of Latin America
  86. https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/book-review-the-alphabets-of-latin-america-by-abhay-k/2319367/ Book Review: The Alphabets of Latin America
  87. https://www.editions-harmattan.fr/livre-la_magie_de_madagascar_the_magic_of_madagascar_abhay_k-9782343235929-70907.html La Magie de Madagascar
  88. https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/book-review-la-magie-de-madagascar-the-magic-of-madagascar-by-abhay-k/2325458/ Book Review : The Magic of Madagascar
  89. http://sahitya-akademi.org.in/?product=monsoon Monsoon
  90. https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/meghaduta-9789390252343/ Meghaduta
  91. http://www.theenchantingverses.org/contemporary-indian-english-poetry-issue-xxii-november-20151.html Contemporary Indian English Poetry
  92. http://www.bloomsbury.com/in/capitals-9789386141118/ CAPITALS
  93. https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/100-great-indian-poems-9789386950932/100 Great Indian Poems
  94. https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/100-more-great-indian-poems-9789388038898/ 100 More Great Indian Poems
  95. https://www.bloomsbury.com/in/the-bloomsbury-anthology-of-great-indian-poems-9789389449570/The Bloomsbury Anthology of Great Indian Poems
  96. https://ibislibris.loja2.com.br/8766446-New-Brazilian-Poems New Brazilian Poems
  97. Web site: 10 Questions of the Soul . Issuu.com . 2010-10-04 . 2012-11-21 . 10 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810040856/http://issuu.com/abhayk/docs/10questions . dead .
  98. Web site: Цвет души . Issuu.com . 2011-02-17 . 2012-11-21 . 5 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140605060857/http://issuu.com/abhayk/docs/cvetdushi . dead .
  99. https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/226840 Cultural Construct of Self: A Critical Study of Abhay Kumar's Poetry
  100. https://www.aninews.in/topic/maharaja-ganga-singh-university/ Indian Varsity awards PhD on poet's poetry
  101. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339175736_AK_Ramanujan%27s_%27A_River%27_and_Abhay_K%27s_%27Yamuna%27_River_as_a_Symbol_of_Endless_Flow_of_Meanings A.K. Ramanujan's 'A River' and Abhay K's 'Yamuna': River as a Symbol of Endless Flow of Meanings
  102. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339270843_APPROACHING_ABHAY_K%27S_THE_SEDUCTION_OF_DELHI_A_STUDY_OF_MAJOR_THEMES Approaching Abhay K.'s The Seduction of Delhi: A Study of Major Themes
  103. https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/an-indian-diplomat-poet-on-writing-amid-catastrophe/
    • "Poetry is an intrinsic need of our species," says Ambassador Abhay Kumar