Tall tales

The children at the British Library listened wide-eyed,and in order to show solidarity,made spots with pink sketchpens. They were all happy for Raghav,as Rao taught them the simple lesson of sharing someone’s joy with a ten-minute story. This web of stories was bereft of gizmos,expensive toys,and learning systems. It was just old fashioned story-telling delivered by Rao and actor Lovleen Misra. There were lessons in growing up,joys,friendships,bullying,kindness,sibling rivalry,pranks,love,and jealousy.

Misra,has been conducting children’s drama and storytelling workshops for 20 years now. Rao tells us that interspersing the narration with activities,is not just fun for the children,it gets them involved in the entire process as well.

Growing Up in Pandupur is a collection of stories for children,set in the fictional town of Pandupur in South India. Blending the unique culture of Pandupur with the agony and ecstasy of growing up,the authors explore the lives of children in Pandupur. Located near a hydro-electric power plant it has two schools,one for the elite and other for the ordinary children.

“On the outskirts is a forest,where dam-displaced people live,” explains Rao. The stories deal with varied issues,from consumerism to separated parents,religious tolerance,respect for elders and caring for animals. “There is no moralising or preaching,these are stories that people can enjoy and relate to,” adds Rao,also the author of children’s fantasy novel Amie and Chawl of Colour.

Writer and translator Nirupama Dutt,who was also a part of the launch,said,“Like RK Narayan created Malgudi Days for adults,Adithi and Chatura Rao have been able to create Growing Up in Pandupur for children. There is a Pandupur in everyone’s heart and so the authors have been able to touch many chords.”