Dateline Dehradun: The Valley of Words 2025 festival celebrated the literary heart of Dehradun through two insightful sessions, “Doon ke Lekhak” and “Authors from the Valley.” Both panels served as a tribute to the region’s creative legacy, reminding audiences that the Doon Valley has long been a cradle of thought, poetry, and storytelling. The sessions explored how writers rooted in the Himalayas transform their surroundings into art, blending realism with reflection, and memory with imagination. The conversations highlighted that the valley’s charm lies not only in its scenic beauty but also in its ability to inspire layered narratives that speak of belonging, loss, and identity, the eternal themes that bridge the personal and the universal.
In the first session, Anil Raturi, Amit Srivastav, and Kripa Ram Nautiyal, in conversation with moderator Anjum Sharma, dived deep into the cultural and emotional fabric of the hills. Raturi shared glimpses from his police memoirs, revealing how life in uniform intersects with humanity and introspection, while Srivastav’s multi-generational novel traced the evolution of relationships and values over time. Nautiyal brought an anthropological depth to the discussion through his portrayal of the Jaunsari community, reflecting on its traditions, transformations, and the pressures of modernity. Together, they painted a vivid portrait of a region in transition, where progress meets preservation, and every story carries the echo of lived experience.
The following session, “Authors from the Valley,” moderated by Deepanjali Singh, featured renowned writers Bijoya Sawian, Ratna Manucha, Neena Nehru, and Kulbhushan Kain, who have each, in their own way, captured the essence of Dehradun in their prose. Their dialogue resonated with warmth and nostalgia as they reflected on the city’s literary heritage, its genteel past, and its evolving character in the face of urban change. From Sawian’s lyrical reflections on folklore and identity to Kain’s contemplative explorations of memory and time, the session was an ode to the writers who have carried the valley’s stories beyond its boundaries.
Supported by Doon University and Graphic Era University, the sessions stood as powerful reminders of how deeply literature and place are intertwined. The Doon Valley emerged not merely as a setting but as a living muse, nurturing imagination, preserving voices, and inspiring writers to tell stories that transcend generations while remaining true to their roots.
