Moharaj Sharma anchoring the news program on AP1 HD TV. Image provided by Moharaj Sharma.
Poet, journalist, and documentary maker Moharaj Sharma is a leading figure in Nepal’s literary and media landscape, with two decades of influential work in radio and television. Widely respected for his cultural insight and integrity, he is known for poetry that reflects on identity, social change, and the human experience, resonating across Nepal and its global diaspora.
A long-time member of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), he currently serves as News Editor at AP1 Television, where he also hosts a weekly literary segment that brings writers and thinkers into national conversation. His research on the linguistic roots of Nepali and Sanskrit, along with his documentary on the resilience of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees, highlights his commitment to cultural preservation. Recognised with honours from INLS, Gauhati University, and literary institutions in Bhutan, the US, and South Korea, Sharma continues to shape contemporary Nepali literature through a powerful blend of journalistic clarity and poetic vision.
Sangita Swechcha of Global Voices interviewed Moharaj Sharma via email to learn more about his journey as a poet, journalist, and documentarian, and his longstanding work in amplifying Nepali literature, linguistic heritage, and the stories of diasporic communities.
Sangita Swechcha (SS): Your work spans poetry, journalism, and documentary storytelling. How do these different forms of expression influence one another in your creative process?
Moharaj Sharma (MS): Poetry, journalism, and documentary — although these three subjects appear separate — have complemented one another in my creative journey. The inner dialogue among all three has inspired me to stay focused on my work. Just as Eastern philosophy describes the power of a mantra, I feel a similar power in poetry within literature. It is something that shakes society. Poetry speaks to the joys and sorrows of society in a deep and subtle way. I sense this same sensitivity in journalism as well. News is not merely information; it is a reality intertwined with human life, dreams, and struggles. The discipline of journalism — honesty toward facts, commitment, and respect for authentic voices — makes my writing responsible. Documentary ties these two worlds together in a single thread. In visual storytelling, I try to blend the factual discipline of journalism with the human sensitivity of poetry.
SS: Much of your writing explores identity, culture, and the Nepali diaspora. What personal experiences or encounters have most shaped your understanding of these themes?
MS: For the past two decades, I have been close to ordinary lives through journalism. Nepal has great ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity, with 142 ethnic groups and over 120 languages. Each ethnic group has its own language, religion, customs, culture, and traditions. This diversity and identity make Nepali society ‘many in one and one in many.’
Through my travels and learning experiences in the UK, USA, South Korea, India, and Indonesia, I gained a deep understanding of the importance of language,