Poems that rise against judgment and tradition.
“Voices of Veil,” a compelling new poetry collection by Vijayeta Tirkey, offers readers a profound and intimate look at the silent battles, resilience, and ultimate triumph of women in society. Published by Evincepub Publishing, this book is not just a collection of poems—it’s an effort “to peel back… layers” of expectation and tradition to reveal the truths that shape women’s lives.
A Metaphor for the Modern Woman’s Struggle
As Tirkey explains in the preface, the book was born from questions about silence, strength, and the “veils” women carry, which are metaphors for barriers that are sometimes imposed and sometimes inherited. Each poem is described as a conversation with pain, power, resilience, and vulnerability, serving as “windows” into lives that “fight quietly, love fiercely, and rise despite the weight of tradition and judgment”.
The collection covers a vast emotional landscape, confronting deeply rooted societal issues:
- Societal Pressures and Insecurity: Poems like “The Silent Cry” explore the struggle with low self-esteem and insecurity, and the yearning to meet hollow beauty stereotypes, challenging the notion that complexion defines prettiness.
- The Burdens of Tradition: “The Weight Beneath the Veil” speaks to the silent disgrace of dowry, describing marriage as a “quiet auction in a gilded cage” and calling for daughters to rise “unbought and unbound”. The book also takes on the stigma around menstruation in “Whispers in Red,” calling for an end to shame, noting that menstruation is not a curse but “strength in red”.
- Challenging Gender Roles: The poems “Not Just Her Duty” and “Superwoman – No way!” directly address the need for shared domestic duties and dismantle the myth of the “superwoman.” Tirkey argues that her work, whether in the boardroom or the home, need not be “labeled as chores, mundane and small,” and that equality starts where we reside.
- Self-Worth and Empowerment: Throughout the book, the core message is empowerment. In “Worthy Without Witness,” the author asserts that a woman’s value is not measured by external validation—not “likes or praise” or “loud applause”—but that she is enough. “Your Own Wealth” stresses the importance of financial literacy and economic power as a “cornerstone” of independence.
A Call for Unity and Change
The poetry is a powerful voice for change, encouraging collective strength in “Voices That Lift,” where “we rise not solo, but as one”. It calls for an end to child marriage in “Let Her Bloom” and advocates for women to recognize their inner power. The dedication itself pays tribute to the author’s family—her husband, Abhishek Kataria, and daughter, Nikita Kataria—for being her “greatest source of strength and inspiration”.
“Voices of Veil” is available on Amazon, Flipkart, and Evincepub.com. If these poems “make you pause, question, or feel seen,” the author believes the book has accomplished its mission.
