Focusing on witchcraft, ‘Dakini’ is deeply personal story, says author Hari Kumar

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Author K Hari Kumar has come out with his  new book Dakini. Published by HarperCollins, Dakini is a thrilling depiction of human courage in the face of terrifying adversity, and of superstition dwarfed by the power of the supernatural. Says the authior, “Dakini is deeply personal to me. At its core, it’s a powerful narrative about womanhood, resilience, and the dark forces that still haunt our society. By blending horror and mythology, it challenges our understanding of the supernatural, while shedding light on the strength and vulnerability of women facing unimaginable trials.” More from the author:

So, what is Dakini all about? What inspired you to write this story? And how much time did you take to complete this book, cover to cover.
Dakini is an Indian-gothic epic horror novel that dives deep into the eerie folklore of an Adivasi village. The story follows a journalist from Mumbai who investigates a witchcraft accusation against a Dalit widow and discovers a sinister reality rooted in ancient superstitions and dark forces.
Through this story, I explore themes of fear, power, and the unknown, blending myth with reality. The inspiration for Dakini came from real-life witch-hunt cases in India, where women are frequently targeted and accused of witchcraft. My own experience with grief also shaped the narrative. Eventually, Dakini examines how societal persecution of women intersects with personal tragedy.
Although originally it was slated for release in October 2023, but got delayed. Writing Dakini took me over two years. This long process was shaped by my own personal loss, and extensive research I did for my previous book, Daiva.

Ever felt your stories creeping into your real life?
No, I haven’t felt that. It is the other way around, reality creeps into my stories.

Do you think in this day and age people believe in witches? Do you have any first-hand or may be second-hand experience with a witch?
The inspiration for Dakini struck as I read about the witch-hunt cases that still take place in parts of India, where women are often the ones targeted and accused of witchcraft. The persistence of these practices today is deeply unsettling and thought-provoking. Around this time, I also faced a personal loss that left me grappling with grief. These two ideas—the societal persecution of women under the guise of superstition and the struggle to cope with personal tragedy—began to intertwine in my mind. This intersection eventually became Dakini, a way for me to explore how myths, fear, and grief overlap in the darkest corners of our lives, blurring the lines between superstition and reality.

Does the story contain any real-life incidents or places? If yes, please share
Unfortunately, I can’t share it, as the incident is too personal. But it is quite evident in the book.

What kind of challenges did you face while writing Dakini? How did you overcome those?
As it is inspired from a personal loss, writing about it was like reliving that traumatic episode from my recent past again and again. It was mentally draining.

Looking back to the beginning of your writing journey, 12 years back, what kind of feelings you have.
I have evolved as a writer and as an individual. It is a continuous process.

So, which new horror book are you writing at present? Do you ever feel like experimenting with other genres? If yes, which one draws you the most?
I am not writing a horror book now. I am only concentrating on non-fiction.

Your favourite author, and why?
I like reading Dan Brown and William Dalrymple. They write engaging books in their genres.

Your favourite book, and why?
The Alchemist – it inspires you to follow your dream.