US-based poet and nature conservation activist Rishi Bastakoti has released his latest poetry anthology, Paaniko Rang (The Colour of Water), written in Nepali. The book was unveiled at a recent event in the capital by Nepal Academy Chancellor Bhupal Rai, academicians Baba Basnet and Dr. Krishnaraj Adhikari, Nepal Television General Manager Phulman Bal, and writers Harihar Timilsina and Rajkumar Baniya.
Rishi’s poems, reflecting deep memories and life experiences, offer a calm yet critical lens on past events. Poet Avaya Shrestha, in the book’s blurb, highlights how the anthology champions indigenous knowledge over academic theories, resists artificiality, and raises concerns about the crisis facing life-sustaining elements. Shrestha adds that the poems resonate with advanced human experiences and align with the ethos of the Brihat Nagarik Aandolan, a citizen movement in which Bastakoti is actively involved.
Chancellor Rai commended Bastakoti’s dedication to poetry despite living abroad, calling it a testament to the poet’s love for his homeland. “This love keeps the poetic soul alive,” Rai remarked.
Speaking at the event, Bastakoti shared that Paaniko Rang is a collection of poems written over 30 years. “Though my professional work focuses on environmental conservation, I believe this anthology marks a new chapter in my poetic journey,” he said.
Poets Harihar Timilsina, Rajkumar Baniya, and Radhika Kalpit reviewed the anthology, while writers Roshan Sherchan and Bimal Bhaukaji recited selected poems from the book.
Published by Shikha Books, the anthology contains 40 poems exploring themes such as philosophy, nature, and diaspora experiences.
Besides being a poet, Bastakoti is also a recognized Ghazalist and lyricist, with over a dozen recorded songs to his credit. His previous works include the Ghazal collection Jwalaka Rapharu, the Ghazal album Sparsh, and the poetry anthology Bisangata Basti.
Born in Gorkha, Bastakoti holds a PhD in Environmental Policy from the University of Calgary, Canada, where he was a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recipient. Currently, he serves as a Senior Environmental Specialist at the Department of Environment in North Carolina, USA.
