Shimla: This April, the rhythmic chug of the historic Kalka-Shimla toy train will carry more than just passengers.
It will carry stories, memories, and a heartfelt tribute to an unsung hero: Baba Bhalku, the mystical guide and untrained engineer whose instinct and dedication helped carve this marvel through the stubborn folds of the Himalayas.
The Himalaya Sahitya Sanskriti Evam Paryavaran Manch is set to host the Baba Bhalku Smriti Kalka-Shimla Literary Rail Yatra on April 12–13, 2025.
Bringing together 33 writers from across the country, the journey promises not only literary musings but also a revival of Bhalku’s near-mythical legacy.
Despite no formal education or engineering degrees, Baba Bhalku’s uncanny wisdom often rescued British engineers from construction deadlocks, his intuition guiding the alignment of the challenging track.
Yet, for all his contributions, Bhalku remains a shadowed figure in history. Through this festival, the organizers aim to finally shine a long-overdue light on his remarkable story.
Interestingly, a subtle commentary emerges this year — had the organizers roped in a British national, it would have truly come full circle, uniting the colonial architects with the native genius who time and again pulled them from the brink of failure.
After all, Bhalku, despite his humble origins, stood shoulder to shoulder with British engineers, often outsmarting their technical quandaries with sheer instinct.
Celebrating Custodians of Legacy
Adding to the celebration, B.R. Mehta, a stalwart of Indian broadcasting and theater, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a touching gesture, the festival will also felicitate Bhalku’s descendants — Durgadatt.
