Krishna Pillai Good stories have a captivating beginning. My introduction to the world of stories was nothing short of captivating. Where do you think we started this business of storytelling? I like to think that one fine evening, after a long and hard day of hunting, people gathered around the crackling fire, and as they … Continue reading Stories That Raised Me: Growing up in the Magic of Storytelling
The Femme Fatales: The Enigmatic Yakshis of Kerala
Anandhu S. The sun sank below the horizon, painting the sky a deep red before twilight took over. Birds flitted across the evening sky racing to their nests as darkness wrapped around the village of Panchavankadu. Adithyan Namboothiri, the youngest of the Kizhekkeparabil family, walked quickly along the shadowy path holding a flambeau made from … Continue reading The Femme Fatales: The Enigmatic Yakshis of Kerala
The Fruit
Kalpita Mukherjee As stories and fantastical tales have been shared among and between generations from antiquity through oral storytelling, the author of this piece too tells her tale orally for the reader to close their eyes, open their ears, and visualise the images and emotions she conjures with her voice. For the listener, and the … Continue reading The Fruit
Reading Fantasy Is Way Easier Than Writing About It
Shreya Prasad Childhood is a magical time filled with stories of fairies, goblins, quests and adventure. Perhaps it is because the fantastic reach of magic helps a child comprehend the unfamiliar. But mostly, it is because fantasy is fun. It is the power to see the world not as it is but as it can … Continue reading Reading Fantasy Is Way Easier Than Writing About It
My Magical Companions – “Magic Pot” and “Tell Me Why?”
Once upon a time, there was a cheerful and curious girl who loved hearing stories. Her nap time commenced with a story each day after a heavy midday meal. Her imagination ran wild as her aunt told her tales of demons and fairies. In her head, she was always the child in the story, facing … Continue reading My Magical Companions – “Magic Pot” and “Tell Me Why?”
Periodicals in South Asian Children’s Literature
What are those periodicals you read growing up in India? What are those periodicals from your part of the country that we hardly know about? How did these periodicals shape your childhood and adulthood? Write to us!
Editorial: Childhood “Prets” and Other Premonitions
Introduction My (Ahona’s) earliest memories of the supernatural blend with memories of hot rice, white steam like spirits rising from my plate, the sounds of shakha-pola (bangles) on Dida’s hand clamouring as she approached with a ladle full of dal and the words from Dadu’s stories taking on strange shapes and colours, as the ghosts … Continue reading Editorial: Childhood “Prets” and Other Premonitions
The House of Rizwan
I am telling a friend about an incident back in school. He is not even listening to what I have to say. I start narrating, nonetheless. I cannot recall what prompted me to begin. Maybe need to get his attention. Or, just say something interesting to enjoy his company for a few more minutes. So, … Continue reading The House of Rizwan
The Cult of the Great Tree-Witch
By Payal Priya “Paya I ate ....now play round and round.” My 3-year old niece Myra came running with my phone in her hands. YouTube can make her do anything; she can eat while listening to CoComelon, she learns rhymes and alphabets from Shafa/ Vlad and Nikki , she dances to the tunes of Chak … Continue reading The Cult of the Great Tree-Witch
A Tale of Murkatta, the Headless Monster
By Saundarya It is often the fear of the unknown that lies at the core of a horror story. The element of horror is mostly used in order to keep the dust under the rug. This maintenance of the status quo may look like a piece of cake but believe me, it does not taste … Continue reading A Tale of Murkatta, the Headless Monster