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 the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla. The Sunday afternoon gathering was marked by warmth, creativity, and celebration, with Satwant Atwal, IPS, gracing the occasion as Chief Guest.
The anthology is a compelling collection of poetic voices from women across the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Each poem explores themes of nature, identity, resilience, and feminine strength, reflecting the deep emotional and cultural ties between the women and their Himalayan landscape. Rich in lyrical expression, the book stands as a vibrant testament to the creativity, inner power, and lived experiences of Himachali women.
The launch drew an enthusiastic audience of writers, artists, professors, students, readers, and poetry lovers from across the region. Chief Guest Satwant Atwal expressed her admiration for the anthology, noting that “women have the power of connecting to everything around us, even if it is something very ordinary or routine,” and praised the editors for bringing such authentic voices to the forefront.
The anthology features the works 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. Many of the poems have been translated from Hindi into English, while several were originally written in English, creating a multilingual mosaic of expression.
Co-editor Shelly Bhoil, who currently resides in Brazil, could not attend the event, but her mother, Mrs. Bhoil, was present and shared her heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming response the anthology has received.
The event also featured insightful reflections from distinguished literary figures. Prof. Meenakshi Faith Paul highlighted the need for literature from the close-knit community of Himachali writers to reach the plains, widening the audience for regional voices. Prof. Roshan Lal commended the editors and emphasized the vital role of collaboration in producing meaningful creative work. Dr. Praveen Malik offered a thoughtful critical analysis of the poems, while renowned Kullu-based poet Ajeya shared his reflections on the anthology’s thematic depth. Dr. Janesh Kapur appreciated the editors’ remarkable work in translating emotionally rich poems—an inherently challenging task due to the delicate nuances embedded in the original language.
Among the distinguished guests were 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). Their presence added to the significance of the occasion.
Kamayani Vashisht extended heartfelt thanks to the Keekli Charitable Trust, the Language and Culture Department, and Media Partner HimachalTonite for their support in bringing this powerful collection to the public.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
