Lokesh Bhardwaj
Lokesh Bhardwaj (born 11 October 1997) is an Indian author known for writing works in mythological fiction and philosophical fiction. He is best known as the creator of The Flames of Aryavarta trilogy, a series of novels that combine elements of Indian mythology, political conflict, and philosophical inquiry.
His works frequently explore themes of identity, destiny, spirituality, morality, and interpersonal relationships while drawing inspiration from ancient Indian traditions and contemporary literary storytelling.
Early life and family
Lokesh Bhardwaj was born on 11 October 1997 in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.
He was born into a Hindu Brahmin family with a background in literature, spirituality, journalism, and education. His father, Balkrishna Sharma Shastri, is a journalist associated with regional media and social initiatives. His mother, Poonam Sharma, worked as a primary school teacher before becoming a homemaker.
His grandfather was a Bhagwat Katha speaker who narrated scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana and taught Vedanta. Through these traditions Bhardwaj developed an early interest in mythology, storytelling, and philosophy.
He has two younger siblings:
- Devesh Bhardwaj
- Bhawna Bhardwaj
Growing up in Haridwar, Bhardwaj was exposed to religious traditions, oral storytelling, literature, and philosophical discussions which later became important influences on his writing.
Education
Bhardwaj completed his schooling in Haridwar.
During his school years he was recognized for academic excellence and emerged as a school topper. He later secured a district-level top rank in the High School Board Examinations.
After qualifying the Joint Entrance Examination – Main (JEE Main), he enrolled at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in 2014.
He completed a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical engineering.
Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Technology degree in Power Systems from National Institute of Technology Hamirpur.
His engineering education contributed to the analytical and structured approach evident in his literary work.
Literary career
Early writing and journalism
Bhardwaj began writing during his school years.
His early literary activities included:
- Poetry
- Short stories
- Essays
- Reflective prose
- Blogging
He also contributed articles to newspapers and magazines covering social, cultural, and contemporary topics.
Transition to fiction
Over time Bhardwaj shifted from short-form writing to long-form narrative fiction.
Influenced by mythology, philosophy, and oral storytelling traditions, he began creating fictional worlds that blended historical imagination with philosophical exploration.
The Flames of Aryavarta
His breakthrough came with the The Flames of Aryavarta series.
The trilogy combines:
- Mythological symbolism
- Political conflict
- Character-driven storytelling
- Philosophical inquiry
The Broken Flame
The Broken Flame is the first installment of the trilogy.
The novel introduces Aryavarta and explores themes including:
- Rebellion
- Loyalty
- Destiny
- Personal transformation
The Forged Flame
The Forged Flame is the second book in the series.
The novel expands the political and philosophical conflicts introduced in the first volume while further developing its characters.
Third installment
A third novel has been announced and is expected to conclude the trilogy.
Hindi literary journey
Alongside his English-language works, Bhardwaj has written in Hindi.
His Hindi literary journey began through Kaavyom Publication, Lucknow.
His debut Hindi novel was:
- Kamra Number 13
The novel focuses on psychological depth, human relationships, and narrative-driven storytelling.
Poetry
Bhardwaj writes poetry and ghazals under the pen name Avyakta.
His poetry is influenced by:
- Urdu literature
- Hindi literature
- Classical ghazal traditions
Common themes include:
- Emotional conflict
- Introspection
- Spiritual reflection
- Love and separation
Writing style and themes
Bhardwaj's writing style is characterized by:
Mythological symbolism
Use of Indian mythological motifs and symbolic storytelling.
Philosophical inquiry
Exploration of morality, consciousness, destiny, and existence.
Emotional storytelling
Strong focus on internal conflicts and character development.
Historical imagination
Creation of fictional worlds inspired by historical and cultural traditions.
Recurring themes include:
- Identity and self-discovery
- Love and sacrifice
- Destiny versus free will
- Moral dilemmas
- Spiritual growth
- Individual duty versus collective responsibility
Other professional work
Content writing
During his undergraduate studies Bhardwaj worked with Gizmo Story Pvt. Ltd. as a content writer.
Project management
He later served as a Project Manager, overseeing editorial workflows and digital content operations.
Teaching
Following his work in digital media, he worked as a freelance tutor in engineering subjects.
Academic career
Bhardwaj joined Gurukula Kangri University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
His responsibilities include:
- Teaching undergraduate students
- Academic mentoring
- Departmental activities
- Curriculum support
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award / Recognition | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Award of Excellence (Rank 1) | AISECT National Science Olympiad |
| 2013 | Best Hindi Writer | All India Poet and Writer Society |
| 2014 | Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) | Board of School Education Uttarakhand |
| 2015 | Best Young Hindi Writer | Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Award |
| 2016 | Best Young Hindi Writer | Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Award |
| 2016 | Recognition in Education | National Union of Journalists, New Delhi |
| 2018 | GATE Percentile 96.34 | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering |
| 2019 | GATE Percentile 98.6 | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering |
Bibliography
The Flames of Aryavarta
- The Broken Flame (2025)
- The Forged Flame
- Untitled third installment (forthcoming)
Hindi novels
- Kamra Number 13
Poetry
Works published under the pen name Avyakta.
Media coverage
External Links
Media Coverage
- Republic News India Feature – The Broken Flame
- A Reporter Live Feature – The Broken Flame
- LiveMint24 Feature – The Broken Flame
- Herald Post Article – The Broken Flame
- Hindustan Bytes Article – The Broken Flame
- Entrepreneur Hunt Article – The Broken Flame
Articles on Embers of Destiny / Aryavarta Narrative
Reviews of The Forged Flame'
- Times Release Review
- Influencive India Review
- Instastory Review
- The Daily Beat Review
- Hindustan Bytes Review
- Prime Bulletins Review
- Bollywood Insider Review
- Latest Tales Review
- Hindustan Hunt Review
- Daily Viewer Review
Official Links