Book Review

Peeling Back Silence: A Deep Dive Into “Voices of Veil” by Vijayeta Tirkey

Some books do more than speak—they echo. They reverberate through the mind, tug at memory, and leave behind a lingering awareness that transforms the reader long after the last page is turned. “Voices of Veil” by Vijayeta Tirkey is one such work. A poetry collection steeped in lived reality, emotional truth, and powerful feminist clarity, this book is a compelling testament to what happens when a woman chooses not just to feel—but to voice.

Published in 2025 by Evincepub Publishing, this 27-poem collection navigates the multilayered experiences of Indian women—fear, resilience, self-doubt, motherhood, societal pressures, body politics, mental health, and empowerment—all “wrapped in the quiet of evening,” to borrow Tirkey’s own evocative line from “Sanctity”

A Voice Born From the Veil

In her Preface, Tirkey shares that the book sprang from “questions about silence, strength, and the stories that shape us as women”

This intention becomes the heartbeat of the entire work. The poems don’t merely highlight pain—they interrogate the structures that normalize it.

The “veil” in the title is more than cloth; it is metaphor. It represents:

• social expectations
• cultural barriers
• generational wounds
• emotional silences

And throughout the book, Tirkey lifts that veil layer by layer—sometimes gently, sometimes fiercely.

Themes That Strike Deep

1. Fear and Survival: “Sanctity”

The opening poem, “Sanctity,” sets a sharp, sobering tone. The speaker describes the fear that shadows every woman walking alone at night—“the gaze that lingers, the threat it greets,” and above all, the desperate relief of returning home “Unraped”

This poem crystallizes the emotional paradox of being a woman: strong yet vigilant, empowered yet unsafe. It’s a bold start that signals the raw honesty to come.

2. Colorism and Beauty Standards: “The Silent Cry”

In “The Silent Cry,” Tirkey explores the quiet suffering born from color bias. The protagonist yearns to be light-skinned, buying bleaching creams and avoiding sunlight, her self-worth disintegrating in front of a mirror that “chattering” back at her always asks: “Does the shade of skin determine beauty?”

This poem is poignant in its simplicity, yet profound in its social critique. Tirkey’s message is clear: beauty is not defined by complexion, but by mindset.

3. Dowry: “The Weight Beneath the Veil”

One of the strongest poems is “The Weight Beneath the Veil,” which lays bare the harmful dowry tradition. The bride is “wrapped in silk” like an ornament, while behind the shimmer lies “a quiet auction in a gilded cage”

But Tirkey refuses to leave the reader in despair. The poem ends with resistance—a daughter boldly declaring, “No price for marriage,” and a mother supporting her. It’s a poetic call to dismantle oppressive customs.

4. Domestic Violence: “Beyond the Bruises”

This poem is heartbreaking, depicting women who “hide the bruises no one knows” behind sarees and smiles

 The real weight of the poem lies in society’s instruction for women to silently tolerate abuse “for the family’s sake.” Tirkey’s words cut deep—but ultimately push toward collective awakening.

5. Menstruation Stigma: “Whispers in Red”

Tirkey calls out the whispered shame attached to menstruation—girls barred from temples, kitchens, and even school—as if their bodies were “marked disgrace”

Her rallying cry to “speak of periods without shame” and involve both boys and girls in the conversation positions this poem as a progressive and necessary part of the collection.

6. Joy, Gratitude, and Perspective: “A Smile in the Shadows”

Not every poem is heavy. “A Smile in the Shadows” tells a touching story of encountering a poor girl who still finds joy under the moonlight. It’s a reminder to “count each blessing” and rediscover gratitude in life’s small joys

7. Gender Roles and Household Labor: “Not Just Her Duty”

This poem challenges the belief that domestic chores are solely a woman’s responsibility. Equality, as Tirkey emphasizes, “starts where we reside”

8. The Myth of the Superwoman: “Superwoman – No way!”

A profound critique of society’s unrealistic expectations, this poem captures the conflict of women balancing career ambitions with domestic demands—and the value of homemakers who are unfairly dismissed as doing “mundane” chores

9. Motherhood and Career: “The Pause That Costs”

This piece sheds light on mothers attempting to re-enter the workforce. Companies often reject them as “too long gone,” failing to recognize the evolution of skills motherhood brings

 10. Mental Health: “The Unseen Battle”

Tirkey dismantles the stigma around mental health. She paints a haunting picture of loneliness even in crowded rooms and asserts that seeking help is strength, not weakness

 11. Empowerment, Independence, and Self-Love

The later poems build toward confidence, strength, and autonomy.
Some highlights:

• “Her Quiet Power” – celebrates the resilience behind silent strength.
• “Your Own Wealth” – advocates for financial independence as a path to authority
• “The Forgotten Flame” – emphasizes self-love as essential, not selfish.
• “More Than a Day” – argues that Women’s Day should be lived, not celebrated once a year.

The transformation from pain to power is intentional and beautifully executed.

Poetic Craft and Style

Tirkey’s writing is:

• vivid
• emotionally accessible
• grounded in lived experience
• unpretentious
• rhythmically free

Her language flows more like storytelling than abstract metaphor, making the poems relatable even to readers unfamiliar with poetry.

She uses images drawn from:

• streets at night
• kitchens
• classrooms
• temples
• rural homes
• office boardrooms

The imagery feels authentically Indian, yet universally resonant.

Who Should Read “Voices of Veil”?

This book is perfect for:

• Women seeking validation and empowerment
• Men wanting to understand women’s lived experiences
• Young adults navigating identity, body image, and expectations
• Teachers, counselors, and advocates of gender equality
• Poetry lovers who appreciate socially conscious writing

It’s an accessible yet profound collection that can spark personal reflection and societal dialogue.

Final Verdict

“Voices of Veil” is a powerful, emotionally intelligent, socially relevant collection that speaks for countless women who have been silenced—by tradition, by fear, by expectation, or by habit.

Vijayeta Tirkey’s compassionate but unflinching voice brings visibility to struggles that are often hidden behind the metaphorical veil. But she doesn’t stop at portraying pain; she illuminates strength, joy, defiance, sisterhood, and hope.

This is not just a book of poems.
It is a mirror.
A torch.
A whispered comfort.
A rallying cry. And above all, it is a reminder that every woman carries a story that deserves to be heard.