Poetry often becomes a bridge between generations, carrying the values, emotions, and memories of one era into another. For Hemant Bhalwala, poetry is exactly that — a heartfelt expression of love, devotion, and gratitude, drawn from the experiences and relationships that have shaped his life. Hemant, essentially is a poet by default – in our parlance we say “Savab Kavi” – he has not been taught by anyone, nor mentored to write poems; it just comes naturally to him, like a bubbling champagne.
Born in Kolkata in a Marwadi family whose roots trace back to the 1830s, Hemant’s connection to culture and tradition runs deep. His collection Shakti, Bhakti Evam Prem brings together poems written over different moments in his life, each one inspired by a person, feeling, or experience close to his heart. He was born to a very wealthy family, who rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty of then Calcutta. Unfortunately his father left them earlier than they felt and at a tender teenage Hemant and his elder brother had to shoulder responsibilities that a normal individual does post wedlock. Life was a grind for him, early on.
So, all the poems are a part and parcel of his near and dear ones, only people who know him closely will understand who or what has inspired each of those strokes of art. The book stands as a compilation of reflections that move between devotion, love, and the spiritual strength that anchors the human spirit.
Hemant’s words carry the quiet sincerity of someone who writes, not for acclaim but for emancipation of the soul.
In Shakti, Bhakti Evam Prem, the reader finds verses that celebrate faith and devotion, poems that speak of human affection, and reflections on the divine feminine energy that guides all creation. The work resonates with authenticity because it comes from lived experience rather than abstraction. Each piece feels like a moment preserved in verse — a glimpse of a poet who writes with heart, memory, and deep respect for the people who shaped his journey.
Not only that, Hemant has an unending quest to learn about our religious history. People of the west had created a nomenclature that those were mythological issues, but Hemant maintains that we do have an actual history. The westerns ratify that Sanskrit is 5000 years old, so are our ancients ‘granths’. But little do they cogitate that for a language like ‘Sanskrit’ to be refined takes at least 20,000 plus years. That is his only quest and asking. Apart from writing poetry, he does delve into the epochs of Kali, the history of the power of women and how it has shaped the topography of the eastern region of our country. He thinks that Hindu literature has actually 19 Puranas, but we have been misled that we always had only 18. The 19th Purana which has been vandalized and destroyed is about the charisma of Kali and Hemant is researching on this theory of his in order to create the foundation for his claim. That intrigue keeps him going.
Although Hemant’s professional path has remained grounded in the realities of life in Kolkata, poetry has always been his quiet companion — a space where he could pause, reflect, and translate emotion into language. His work reflects an understanding of life that blends simplicity with spiritual awareness, echoing the timeless rhythms of ancient Indian poetic tradition.
With Shakti, Bhakti Evam Prem, Hemant Bhalwala adds his voice to the lineage of poets who remind us that poetry is not merely written; it is felt. His collection stands as both a personal archive and a universal message — that love, faith, and devotion remain the most powerful forces shaping human existence.
