Posted on by Sonia Dogra

An Ode to Kitabghar

Dear Reader,

What do you think about the concept of composing an ode dedicated to your beloved hometown? John Keats is renowned for his exquisite odes, including “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” “Ode on Insolence,” “Ode on Melancholy,” “Ode to a Nightingale,” and “To Autumn.” While he has written several others, these are the ones that come to my mind. These poems serve as a celebration and tribute to the simplest aspects of life or natural occurrences. However, my intention today is not to delve into Keats’ poetry. I simply drew inspiration from his idea of an ode for this piece and thus made the reference.

I want to talk about my hometown, Shimla. It’s a small town known as the ‘Queen of Hills’. One of its famous heritage buildings is the Gaiety Theatre, also called the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex. This place is like a temple for artists. It hosts painting exhibitions, state crafts, and performing arts. The theatre also has a unique book store called Kitabghar (A House for Books).

Kitabghar stands out from other bookshops, not only in Shimla but also in other cities. It offers a unique collection of books by local writers, authors, and publishers. These books showcase the traditional and cultural aspects of Himachal Pradesh, providing readers with a taste of the region’s heritage. Additionally, Kitabghar houses books written in Pahari, a language that has unfortunately lost its script over time. It is a haven for local authors who have not achieved mainstream success in the commercial publishing industry. Moreover, it is a paradise for readers seeking a glimpse into Himachal’s ethnic literature. Interestingly, Kitabghar is located directly opposite two of the oldest and most popular bookshops in town. Unfortunately, these bookstores do not offer the works of lesser-known local writers. Therefore, if you ever find yourself in Shimla, be sure to visit Kitabghar for a priceless literary experience.

Every time I visit Shimla, I always make it a point to go to Kitabghar. During my visit this summer, I purchased a book called ‘Shimla Bazaar’ written by Sumit Raj. This book is a fictionalized account of the author’s personal experiences in Shimla town. Sumit Raj is not only a writer and poet, but also a passionate tourism professional and avid walker. He conducts heritage and nature walks, sharing detailed narrations and captivating anecdotes. Some of these anecdotes have made their way into this book.

One of the interesting stories in the book is about a group of school children from the Gulf who discovered a bear near a pool while on a camping trip to Himachal. Another intriguing story revolves around an old house called ‘Willy’s Park’, where the author shares a fascinating tale of revenge by a tree. It may sound unusual, but our hills are known for their bizarre happenings. However, this story also sheds light on the unfortunate reality of deforestation and excessive commercialization that has stripped the hills of their true essence.

‘The Fruit Seller’ is another captivating story in the book, adding to the abundance of ghost stories that circulate in such places. From elections to mischievous monkeys, from strolling through the bazaar to exploring the famous bungalows from the British era, Sumit Raj brings forth a multitude of tales intertwined with his own musings. Reading ‘Shimla Bazaar’ was truly enjoyable, and it has ignited a strong desire within me to weave together more stories about my hometown, paying ode to its hidden wonders.

Dear readers, I highly recommend including a visit to the Kitabghar in your itinerary when you visit the Queen of Hills. Believe me, it will be a worthwhile experience that shouldn’t be missed.

This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile

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35 Replies to “An Ode to Kitabghar”

  1. What a heartwarming post! I have never read any pahari book but will like to visit this kitab ghar once. This reminded me the essence of library in dalhousie I visited few years back. Some books found in these places are hard to find in normal bookstores.

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  2. Such a beautiful ode, Sonia. Heartbreaking to read that Pahari has lost its script. So many languages are dying out because no one uses or writes in them anymore. Kudos to Kitabghar for its attempt to preserves the local culture and supporting the local authors. I will definitely be checking it out next time I visit Shimla.

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  3. How amazing is the effort of art lovers and writers to preserve their love for culture, tradition and nature?  I can only visit the place in my dreams.  Ever since I started learning in my school days about Shimla as the summer capital of British India, I have dreamt of visiting the place.:)     

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  4. this is the first time in hearing about the kitabgarh. Seems to be an interesting place for book lovers like me. I also loved the glimpses of each story in shimla bazaar. I hope it is available for purchase online

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  5. What a heartfelt ode to Kitabghar and Shimla that beautifully captures the essence of this quaint literary haven. It’s heartening to see such a dedicated space that not only preserves local culture through literature but also supports lesser-known authors and regional languages like Pahari.

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  6. Such places usually aren’t frequented by tourists. So they deserve some recognition and your post certainly does that.

    That book cover is pretty and from ur description I get the sense and feel of the life and the people of Shimla

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  7. Physical bookstores help you use not one sense organ but many. You read (vision), smell, touch altogether making it more of a happy experience.

    Kitabghar is no exception.

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  9. I wish I’d known this when I visited Shimla last year. Don’t know when I’ll go next and IF I will. I love visiting book stores and libraries. And this Kitabghar I would not miss for the world!

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  12. “Kitaabghar”, the name itself is so appealing. I think local bookshops are so important to encourage local literary talent. In on the other side of mountain, in Mussorie, Cambridge, and in Dehradun, Nataraj publishers try, but somehow it is not enough.

    The fact that Kitaabghar also keeps books in Pahadi, is a wonderful attempt to show the spotlight on the regional language.

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  16. Libraries and book stores from places that mean something to you become such an important part of your personal history. I often find myself mentally wandering through my extremely cramped library, a place I discovered some of my most favourite books. I haven’t visited in ages but it holds a dear place in my heart.

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  17. I’ve heard about Kitab Ghar but haven’t had the fortune to visit it myself. It’s a wonderful concept that familiarizes visitors with the culture and authors hailing from Himachal Pradesh. After all, books give such in-depth insights into people and ways of life.

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