Voices from the Peaks: New Anthology Showcases the Literary Strength of Himachali Women
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Shimla, December 7, 2025 — The KEEKLI Charitable Trust hosted the release of the evocative poetry anthology Black Magic of Women from the Mountains, edited by Kamayani Vashisht and Shelly Bhoil, at the Conference Hall of Shimla’s historic Gaiety Theatre. The Sunday gathering blended warmth, creativity, and celebration, with Satwant Atwal, IPS, attending as the Chief Guest.
This anthology brings together an inspiring range of poetic voices from women across the mountainous landscapes of Himachal Pradesh. The poems delve into themes of nature, identity, resilience, and feminine strength, capturing the powerful emotional and cultural connection shared between the women and their Himalayan surroundings. Through its lyrical depth and expressive clarity, the collection stands as a testament to the creative spirit and lived experiences of Himachali women.
The event drew a vibrant audience of writers, artists, educators, students, readers, and poetry enthusiasts. Chief Guest Ms. Satwant Atwal praised the anthology and its editors, remarking that “women have the power of connecting to everything around us, even if it is something very ordinary or routine,” and emphasized how authentically the anthology reflects this connection.
Although co-editor Shelly Bhoil, currently based in Brazil, could not attend the event, her mother, Mrs. Bhoil, was present to convey her appreciation and joy at the enthusiastic reception the book received.
The launch also featured thoughtful reflections from prominent literary voices. Prof. Meenakshi Faith Paul spoke about the need for Himachali writers to reach a wider readership beyond the hills, encouraging regional literature to travel to the plains. Prof. Roshan Lal commended the editors for their collaborative effort, highlighting its importance in producing meaningful creative work. Dr. Praveen Malik offered an analytical reading of several poems, while renowned Kullu-based poet Ajeya shared his insights on the collection’s thematic layers. Dr. Janesh Kapur applauded the editors for their skill in translating emotionally nuanced poetry—an effort often challenged by subtle cultural and linguistic shifts.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including S.N. Joshi (Retd. IAS), Roshan Lal (Professor of English, HPU), Prof. Meenakshi Faith Paul (Principal, Evening College, HPU), Dr. Praveen Malik (Retd. Associate Professor, English), Dr. Janesh Kapoor (Retd. Principal), Abhishek (IPS), Raaja Bhasin (Historian), and Rupali Thakur (IAS), all of whom added to the significance of the occasion.
The anthology features the work of 24 Himalayan women poets, including Kamayani Vashisht, Dr. Rekha Vashisht, Dr. Jaiwanti Dimri, Pooja Priyamvada, Priyanka Bhardwaj, Priyanka Vaidya, Meenakshi F. Paul, Tsesing Wangmo Dhompa, and Deepti Saraswat, among others. Several poems have been translated from Hindi into English, while others were originally composed in English, resulting in a rich multilingual tapestry of expression.
A heartfelt acknowledgment was extended to KEEKLI Charitable Trust, the Language and Culture Department, and Media Partner HimachalTonite for supporting the release of this powerful and culturally significant anthology.
