Shimla, June 1
Literary activities will receive a major boost during the International Shimla Summer Festival-2026, with Hindi, Pahari and Ghazal poetry sessions set to be organized under the banners of “Shyamala Kavi Sammelan” and “Shyamala Mushaira”. More than 100 writers and poets from across Himachal Pradesh are expected to participate in the events.
Expressing gratitude to Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and the International Shimla Summer Festival Committee, noted author and President of the Himalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch, S.R. Harnot, described the initiative as a significant step towards promoting literature and culture in the state.
According to information shared through the festival committee, the Hindi Kavi Sammelan on June 8 will feature 30 poets in the morning session and 35 poets in the afternoon session. On June 9, a full-day Pahari poetry conference will witness participation from more than 30 Pahari poets from different regions of the state. The Ghazal session, titled Shyamala Mushaira, will be held on June 10, bringing together around 20 Urdu ghazal writers from various parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Harnot said that this is the first time in the history of the International Shimla Summer Festival that such a large number of literary figures are being provided a common platform and recognition. He credited the vision and support of Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap for making the initiative possible and extended heartfelt thanks on behalf of the literary community.
Appealing to all invited writers to support the initiative, Harnot acknowledged that it is difficult to accommodate every writer from the state in a single event, but emphasized that inviting over 100 authors is comparable to a major literary festival.
He further informed that, with the support of the district administration, story dialogue sessions and literary activities for children will also be organized in the near future. Harnot urged district administrations across Himachal Pradesh to include literary discussions and writers’ gatherings in local fairs, festivals and cultural events to ensure wider participation of authors.
He assured the district administration of the Himalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch’s full cooperation in making the literary programmes a success.
