We believe that children’s literature — oral, performative and written — has the capacity to welcome children into the world of pleasure, imagination, emotions, creativity, curiosity, different cultures, play with language, empathy with human lives, and an understanding of self.

Each edition of KathaVana offers a variety of forums where children, teachers, and community members can engage deeply with literature— through book exhibitions, storytelling, and read-aloud events, puppet shows, meet-the-author and illustrator sessions, professional development workshops for teachers, and forums for different kinds of stakeholders to come together and discuss pertinent issues related to literature. 

Each edition of KathaVana takes up a theme and explores issues related to that theme more closely.

The theme for KathaVana 2022 – 23 is Nurturing Children’s Response to Literature.

A 5‑day online children’s literature festival for children in government schools in nine districts of Bagalkot, Bellari, Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppal, Mandya, Raichur, Vijayapura, and Yadgir, in Karnataka will kickstart the festival.

Day 1 | 14 November 2022 | 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Read-aloud | Maitri Vasudev

The session includes a read-aloud of a story by Maitri Vasudev with an interesting follow-up activity for children. The session is moderated by Umashankar Periodi.

The session is in Kannada.

About Maitri

Maitri’s interest in children’s literature began in 2015 when she started to examine it through the postcolonial lens as part of her master’s degree programme in English literature.

Over time, however, this interest has evolved into a practical one; she currently runs a teacher-research project at Azim Premji School, Bengaluru, on using picture books bilingually in the first-grade classroom.

She engages children in Kannada and English read-alouds regularly, in the hope of studying how literature contributes to literacy. From 2017 to 2022, Maitri also taught language-based courses at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

Day 2 | 15 November 2022 | 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Illustrations | Malavika Rajnarayan

What role do illustrations play in engaging with literature? Join Malavika while she explores this question along with you as you read and draw. The session is moderated by Umashankar Periodi.

The session is in Kannada.

About Malavika

Malavika is an artist based in Vadodara, Gujarat. She studied painting at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru and the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. 

She has exhibited her work both in India and abroad. She divides her time between her studio practice and education-related work. She was a fellow at Azim Premji Foundation from 2017 – 2019, and continues to learn about art, education, and arts education every day.

Day 3 | 16 November 2022 | 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Storytelling | Matturu Subbanna (Balasubramhanya)

Become part of an interactive story-telling and let Mutturu Subbanna (Balasubramhanya) introduce you to ​‘katha abhinaya’ (story acting) through the fun-filled session. The session is moderated by Umashankar Periodi.

The session is in Kannada.

About Matturu Subbanna (Balasubramhanya)

Balasubramhanya has a teaching experience of 45 years and is at present the Director of Hill Rock National Public School, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru. 

He is a Kannada children’s literature author under the pseudonym​‘Matturu Subbanna’ and has 14 titles published under his name. He has won several awards that appreciate his contribution to children’s literature,​‘katha abhinaya’ (story acting), and his work with children.

Day 4 | 17 November 2022 | 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Puppetry | Gagan Kumar

Have fun along with children in making puppets and telling stories through them with Gagan Kumar in the session. The session is moderated by Umashankar Periodi.

The session is in Kannada.

About Gagan

Gagan Kumar received a master’s degree (MA) in Education from Azim Premji University and another master’s degree in Foundational Puppetry from UNIMA India. 

He has been working as a freelance puppeteer for theater companies like RangaShankara, Ishara Puppet Trust, New Delhi, and he has been involved in numerous puppet performances, projects like​‘Old Man and the Sea’ and​‘Circle of Life’ which have performed in Turkey and China. 

He is currently working in Creative School, Bengaluru as a puppet instructor for children and is exploring puppetry inside the classroom as a teaching and learning material.

Day 5 | 18 November 2022 | 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Poem and story writing | S V Kashyap

The session will see children becoming poets and story writers in Bareeri Corner with S V Kashyap. Join them and explore the rhythmic and exciting world of poems and stories. The session is moderated by Umashankar Periodi.

The session is in Kannada.

About S V Kashyap

S V Kashyap is a theatre practitioner, a practicing dental surgeon, secretary of Vijayanagara Bimba, Centre for Theatre Education, Creative head, Theatre Lab and Secretary of Rangachittara. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery, a master’s degree in Kannada Literature, and another master’s degree in Performing Arts (Drama) and is a qualified Assistant Professor in Theatre. 

He has written, acted in, and directed several theatre plays, street plays, children’s plays, television serials and telefilms, written books on theatre, drama, and plays, and has been awarded several times for his contribution to Kannada Literature and Performing Arts.