Wari at Kitaabo - The Blue City Children's Literature Festival
Octave Foundation travelled to blue city Jodhpur's maiden children's literature festival Kitaabo, with old and new stories in tow.
The festival spanned over three days, and saw an overwhelming footfall of over 8000 students from more than 15 schools across Jodhpur. Over a period of three days, students had an opportunity to interact with at least 40 artists, storytellers, musicians, specialists across 105 sessions.
At Kitaabo, representing Octave Foundation were Nicky Chandam, Anuja Jaiman, Navin Pangti and Puneet Sikka with stories from Manipur, Russia and Uttarakhand. Seven folk stories titled Ek Bakri, Iss Jungle Mein Jaana Hai, Kahani Geet Aur Ek Kahani Ki, Fyulli, Eta Thangmei, Houdong Lamboiba and Chaar Paheliyaan had children of all age groups enthralled and in splits.
About the stories performed:
1. Houdong Lamboiba | The Monk Cat
A Manipuri folk story adapted by Nicky Chandam and Anuja Jaiman
Language: Hindustani
Performed by Anuja Jaiman
2. Eta Thangmei | The friendly talking lamp
A Manipuri folk story adapted by Nicky Chandam
Language: Hindi
Performed by Puneet Sikka
3. Ek Bakri, Iss Jungle Mein Jaana Hai, Kahani Geet Aur Ek Kahani Ki, Fyulli
Four folk tales from Uttarakhand adapted by Navin Pangti
Language: Hindi
Narrated by: Navin Pangti
4. Chaar Paheliyaan
A Russian folk tale originally titled 'Saat Baras Ki Bitiya'
Language: Hindustani
Performed by Anuja Jaiman
Directed by Saif Ali
We got a chance to do some sightseeing after the festival, but the energy and the vibrant vibe that was exchanged at the festival did not match up to anything else. Octave Foundation is grateful to Desert Leaf Foundation and Kitaabo - The Blue City Children's Literature Festival organisers to have brought alive three days of pure fun - for both the artists and the students.
A special thanks to Preeti Aggarwal Mehta and Ira Sisodia for the wonderful experience!