A cultural and literary record spanning nearly five decades
Somasi (सोमसी) is a Hindi quarterly periodical published since 1975 by the Himachal Pradesh Academy of Arts, Culture, and Languages in Shimla. It is an important cultural and literary forum. Throughout the years, it has published interpretive essays, folklore studies, creative writings, and critical documentation of Himachal’s cultural and intellectual history.
Evolution of Somasi
- 1975–1982: हिमाचल कला-संस्कृति-भाषा अकादमी का त्रैमासिक मुखपत्र – issued as the Academy’s official organ, primarily a vehicle of cultural communication.
- 1982–1988: हिमाचल कला-संस्कृति भाषा अकादमी की त्रैमासिक पत्रिका – broadened into a cultural quarterly with more diverse contributions.
- 1988–2000s: पर्वतीय कला, संस्कृति व साहित्य की त्रैमासिक शोध पत्रिका/पर्वतीय संस्कृति साहित्य व कला की त्रैमासिक शोध पत्रिका – adopting the language of a “research quarterly,” with a stronger emphasis on Himalayan art, culture, and literature.
- 2010s: लोक कला, संस्कृति, भाषा और साहित्य की त्रैमासिक शोध पत्रिका – foregrounding folk traditions, oral heritage, regional languages, and local literary practices.
- Present: पारंपरिक, समकालीन कला संस्कृति भाषा एवं बाल साहित्य की हिन्दी त्रैमासिक शोधपत्रिका – signaling an inclusive scope that integrates traditional and contemporary cultural practice, language studies, and children’s literature.
Digitization & Preservation
1975–1991
The early issues of Somasi are very rare. We have scanned and preserved all but ten issues from 1975 to 1991 (Vols. 1–17), creating the first ever digital collection of the journal.
Most of the original hard copies came from the private collection of Sh. Hira Lal Thakur of Kulut Sanskriti Vikas Manch society. All the available issues have been uploaded to the Internet Archive. There is a consolidated index on this website with direct links to IA.
The scanned copies carry a watermark to ensure authenticity while still allowing free access for cultural and academic study. This initiative marks the first thorough online preservation of Somasi.
Missing Issues (1975–1991)
- v2 (3), Jul 1976
- v2 (4), Oct 1976
- v5 (1), Jan 1979
- v5 (3), Jul 1979
- v5 (4), Oct 1979
- v10 (1), Jan 1984
- v10 (2), Apr 1984
- v10 (3), Jul 1984
- v10 (4), Oct 1984
- v11 (2), Apr 1985
1991–present
These are yet to be obtained and scanned.
Access the Collection
- 🔗 Somasi on Internet Archive – Browse and read all digitized issues online.
- 🔗 Somasi in Journals Index – View consolidated catalogue with details.
Call for Contributions
This project is ongoing. We will make efforts to get the 10 missing issues from 1975 to 1991. We will also focus on obtaining and digitizing the later issues published after 1991. Our goal is to create a full digital collection.
We invite people who have copies of Somasi—whether the missing early issues or later ones—to collaborate. Contributions like physical copies, scans, or bibliographic references will greatly strengthen this archive. We will properly acknowledge all contributors, making sure this effort remains a shared responsibility in preserving Himachal’s cultural heritage.
📧 Contact: tharahkardu@gmail.com