Lucknow: It was an evening dipped in warmth, wisdom, and wonder as Universal Booksellers, Gomtinagar, played host to a deeply moving Book Discussion with the celebrated author and civil servant, Dr. Hari Om (IAS). Set against the comforting backdrop of bookshelves and stories, the event was an ode to literary expression — a space where prose met passion and music met memory.
The occasion centered around two of Hari Om’s most acclaimed works — “The Clamour of Butterflies” and “Amreeka Meri Jaan” — both rich with emotion, cultural nuance, and social reflection. The author, a senior IAS officer and an artist at heart, took the audience through the emotional landscapes of his writing with anecdotes, insight, and the poise of a storyteller who knows the power of a well-told truth.
The atmosphere was electric yet intimate — a literary soiree where the spotlight was not just on books but on ideas, feelings, and experiences. The discussion, expertly moderated by veteran journalist Ashutosh Shukla and RJ Rafat, felt less like a formal event and more like an evening among friends — friends who speak the same language of empathy, literature, and melody.
Dr. Hari Om , with his trademark humility and depth, shared the backstories of his books, his inspirations, and how his experiences as an administrator and a wanderer have helped shape his narratives. His words were punctuated with readings that held the room in rapt attention — lines that carried the weight of exile, nostalgia, belonging, and dreams.
But the evening didn’t stop at books. In true Dr. Hari Om style, it moved fluidly into music, as he picked up the guitar and sang — soft, stirring tunes that gave new life to his written words. Literature won hearts; music touched souls.
From young students to seasoned readers, the event drew bibliophiles from across Lucknow — proving yet again that stories, when shared in the right space, transcend generations. Conversations sparked thoughts, and thoughts turned into reflections that lingered long after the applause had faded.
Universal Booksellers deserves a standing ovation for curating a space where such literary evenings are not just possible but celebrated. In times when the world moves fast, this evening reminded everyone to pause — to read, to listen, and to feel.
As the sun set over Gomtinagar and the final lines were read, the audience left with hearts full and minds stirred — carrying with them the echoes of an author who believes in the quiet but profound power of stories.
Indeed, it was an evening to remember.
