Story-teller to a generation

Deshpande’s experience as a child welfare officer in the Social Welfare Department of Maharashtra State imbued in him the dual love for children as well as a sense of social responsibility towards them. So he made sure that the artistic events he helped organise were not restricted to halls but found audiences in remand homes,jails and slum areas. “In the slums we visited,we would ask the residents to pay a rupee per family and then come watch. We wanted them to understand that this is art and it is valuable,” he recalls.

Kids presented their original work at the events organised by Kathabharati. Many of these young poets and singers,usually aged between 3-18 years,have gone on to receive major air play through Akash Vani. Apart from stories and poetry,the programmes would often encourage dance,singing,mimicry and other forms of expression.

Kathabharati’s activities have been financially held up by sponsors and Deshpande’s own wholehearted generosity. He is the author of three Marathi books. One of these books is Vinuchi Aai,the story of human rights advocate and teacher,Vinoba Bhave’s mother and her influence in shaping Bhave’s ideals. “Vinoba’s mother made him what he was. The kids today don’t know much about him,or Gandhi,or Pandit Nehru for that matter. That is why it is important to write these stories,” he says. He has also written two more books about former prime ministers Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

A chunk of the royalty that Deshpande earns from his books is also put into financing events. Even after so many years,his zeal to sustain story-telling among children hasn’t dimmed. He has big ambitions for the future,involving building a stage for more such Bal Sammelans to take place. “We also need a mobile van,which can make it easier to take the kids to more varied venues and even a bit outside the city,” he says. Another big idea is to build a school for the children where they can pursue music,dance and of course,literature. “The plans are all there,I sincerely hope they can be realised,” says Deshpande.