An Interview with Shivani Agarwal
Through my poems, I seek to redefine the identity of women by moving beyond stereotypes and societal labels. My poetry embraces both vulnerability and resilience, showing that a woman can be soft yet strong, silent yet powerful. It challenges the notion that strength must always be loud, and instead celebrates the quiet courage with which women navigate their journeys.
In conversation with Karunesh Kumar Agarwal, Managing Editor, Pegasus Literary, Shivani Agarwal tells us about her success as a writer.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Tell us about yourself and your background.
Shivani Agarwal: I would like to skip my professional details as I believe they belong more appropriately on LinkedIn or in a formal bio. Speaking of who I am as a person, the first word that comes to mind is a hard-core introvert. I am an introvert to the extent that, at times, I find myself concealing emotions even from my own self. I am also a keen observer, almost instinctively so. A fleeting frown, a quiet smirk, a half-formed smile, even the slightest shift in tone or a momentary flicker in someone’s expression; I notice it all. At times, I even wish I didn’t notice everything so intensely. I suppose, at heart, I am every bit a Virgo: introspective, observant, and deeply attuned to the nuances around me.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What inspires you to write poetry?
Shivani Agarwal: Poetry, for me, is a quiet response to emotions that words often fail to hold in conversation. I am inspired by the depth of human experiences, the unspoken emotions, silent resilience, and the stories people carry within them.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is the role of poetry in modern times?
Shivani Agarwal: In the current dynamic era, I sometimes feel that poetry is losing its sheen. People often do not understand it or spare the time it deserves. However, for those who hold a deep affection for poetry, it continues to serve as both a mirror and a refuge. For me, poetry is a way to pause, step away from the noise, and reconnect with my inner self.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is the measure of success as a poet?
Shivani Agarwal: Measuring a poet’s success is, in many ways, an abstract idea. I believe there is no definitive yardstick for it. To me, success lies in the poet’s ability to transform their emotions into words, with which the reader resonates.
Beyond accolades or readership, it is the quiet, unspoken connection between the poet and the reader that truly defines the worth of poetry.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What message do you want to give through your poems?
Shivani Agarwal: Honestly, I consider myself an amateur when it comes to poetry. However, through my words, I strive to convey that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a quiet and profound strength!
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Your experience of writing the book Her Horizon - Wounds into Wisdom.
Shivani Agarwal: I feel it is difficult to encapsulate my experience in just a few sentences. I remember sitting in the stillness of the night, when everything was silent, often finding myself in tears as I penned these poems. But, as I continued with my journey, I felt liberated. I must say, it was a transforming experience.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Your poems are based on women empowerment. Any particular reason for writing on this subject?
Shivani Agarwal: I didn’t choose this subject; the subject chose me. Right from my childhood, I have been deeply observant, and I witnessed the many hardships women around me quietly endured, often with smiles on their faces. Each time I tried to raise my voice, I was silenced, shaped by the weight of societal conditioning.
Over time, those unspoken thoughts and emotions began to gather within me. My writing feels like a volcano, erupting in gentle instalments, each piece releasing a part of what I have long carried in my heart.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: How does a poem redefine the identity of women?
Shivani Agarwal: Through my poems, I seek to redefine the identity of women by moving beyond stereotypes and societal labels. My poetry embraces both vulnerability and resilience, showing that a woman can be soft yet strong, silent yet powerful. It challenges the notion that strength must always be loud, and instead celebrates the quiet courage with which women navigate their journeys.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: I see your school education was from St. Mary’s, Rampur. Would you like to share any particular event of that time that inspired you to become a poet?
Shivani Agarwal: Nothing in particular stands out as a single defining moment. I did write short verses during that time, though I was never quite sure if I was on the right path, and today I have no idea where those written notes are.
However, my time at St. Mary’s, Rampur, contributed subtly. We had Sister Lawrence, our librarian, who gently inculcated in us the habit of reading. I believe that became the foundation stone, shaping my sensitivity and deepening my thoughts.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: As I have known you from childhood, I am curious to know if you have any unforgettable childhood memories?
Shivani Agarwal: This is nostalgic! I vividly remember almost everything: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have not forgotten anything! I would say it was a time of innocence, quiet observations, and emotions that I perhaps didn’t fully understand then, but carried within me.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Shivani Agarwal: I am not sure if I have the authority to advise other writers. However, for beginners, I would say don’t stop, don’t doubt yourself, and keep writing. Most importantly, be patient with your journey.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: What is your final message to the world for peace?
Shivani Agarwal: In a world often divided by differences, we must learn to lead with empathy, kindness, and understanding. Also, I believe, peace begins within us; it’s intrinsic.
Karunesh Kumar Agarwal: Thank you very much.
Shivani Agarwal: It was a pleasure answering these questions. Honestly, some of them took me back to my childhood and deep into my own thoughts. Quite an introspective experience, I must say.
Thank you, Dr. Karunesh
Shivani Agarwal is a poet, storyteller, and educator whose words are deeply rooted in emotion, identity, and the quiet strength of human experiences. She is the author of the poetry collection Her Horizon, a body of work that reflects the depth and complexity of a woman’s inner world, celebrating both her fragility and her fierce spirit. Shivani is also the founder of SupportHer Foundation, an initiative dedicated to empowering women across diverse spheres: education, career development, and social well-being. Beyond her literary pursuits, Shivani is an experienced educator and entrepreneur, having designed and delivered transformative workshops in career development, communication, leadership, and personal growth.