Dehradun: The Himalayan Cultural Centre in Dehradun came alive with the spirit of literature, poetry and music as VoW@VIRASAT. The joint initiative of Valley of Words (VoW) and Virasat, hosted a memorable one-day literary event, bringing together authors, poets, scholars, students and literature enthusiasts. The event offered an engaging blend of book discussions, literary conversations, poetry recitals and musical performances.
The programme began with moderator Sachin Chauhan welcoming the authors, speakers and audience. He introduced the objectives and vision of Valley of Words and outlined the structure of the day’s proceedings.
The first session featured a discussion on Rajkumar Panwar’s book Ab Hua Savera, with Someshwar Pandey. The conversation went beyond the book to address pressing social concerns, particularly migration from the hills and the growing challenge of substance abuse among young people. Participants emphasised that these issues should not be viewed merely as social problems but as collective responsibilities.
The next session brought together renowned writer Indrajit Singh and eminent Hindi poet Buddhinath Mishra for an insightful conversation on Mishra’s poetic journey and literary contributions. The highlight was Mishra’s evocative recitation of his celebrated poem Jaal Phenk Re Machhere (Cast Your Net, O Fisherman), which captivated the audience and created a memorable atmosphere in the auditorium. He also shared fascinating insights into the history, evolution and contemporary relevance of various literary genres.
The spotlight then shifted to Uttarakhand@25, a book exploring the state’s journey and identity. Editor Sanjeev Chopra, along with co-editors Gandharv Gopal Joshi and Rajlakshmi Datta, shared their perspectives in a detailed discussion chaired by Manoj Barthwal. The conversation explored Uttarakhand’s historical roots, present-day realities and future possibilities. Students from Seven Oaks School actively participated by raising thought-provoking questions, adding an engaging intergenerational dimension to the discussion.
Poetry took centre stage in the subsequent Kavi Sammelan, skilfully moderated by Sachin Chauhan and presided over by Buddhinath Mishra. Poets Shruti Vats, Someshwar Pandey and Bharti Mishra enthralled the gathering with compositions in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. Their verses explored a wide range of emotions, including love, separation, memories and hope, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience.
The evening concluded on a musical note with a special tribute to legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi, celebrated for his deeply evocative poetry of love and longing. Abhinav Tyagi and his team presented a musical interpretation of Batalvi’s works, bringing his timeless poetry to life and leaving the audience with an unforgettable experience.
In the concluding remarks, R. K. Singh, representing Team Virasat, expressed gratitude to all the guests, writers, poets, artists, participants and members of the audience for making the event a success. He also congratulated the organising teams and expressed hope for another meaningful collaboration in the coming year.
