Why Indian mythology is gaining popularity with kids

Retelling our past using mythology and folklore never looked better for India’s children. Dedicated editors and publishers, a market hankering for new content, and festivals, means increasing visibility for authors and their stories. Preeti Singh reports - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-indian-mythology-is-gaining-popularity-with-kids/15986173#sthash.k2wch25k.dpuf

 Like many children growing up in urban India in the 1970s and 80s, Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew titles, and Archie comics were our staple reads. Yet, I recall the first Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) I read. The 32-page story was about a young girl who refuses to marry the powerful sun, moon, wind and thunder, and finds happiness with a mouse; turns out she was a mouse herself. I was hooked. To date, I visualise Ram, Sita, Krishna and other characters of Indian mythology as I first saw them in the ACKs.

Since then, Indian writing for children has grown manifold and production value of books has improved significantly. Various genres in children’s writing are seeing a surge, yet the retelling of our epics and mythological tales remains an enduring passion. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-indian-mythology-is-gaining-popularity-with-kids/15986173#sthash.k2wch25k.dpuf

 Tell me an Indian story

Indian epics and mythology span the spectrum of human experience. One can be brave like Arjuna or blinded by love for his son like Dhritrashtra. Family feuds are ‘Mahabharata’ while Ganesh, Bheem and Hanuman make for meal time stories for kids. The love for Indian stories is also reflected in the success of events like the Bookaroo festival. While global authors also participate here, its success has been the Indian talent. M Venkatesh, founder of Bookaroo and owner of Eureka, children’s bookstore in Delhi, explains, “There is a demand for Indian authors writing for children, especially in the 7-11 age group - See more at: http://www.mid-

Quality of storytelling

 A Google search for the epic Mahabharata (in English) for children throws up at least a hundred versions across publishing houses, with almost 40 being Amar Chitra Kathas. The results for other popular Indian tales like Ramayana, Panchatantra and Jataka Tales are similar. A review of available titles on the epics and other mythological tales reveals that many titles are not well written. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-indian-mythology-is-gaining-popularity-with-kids/15986173#sthash.k2wch25k.dpuf

 Modernise ‘old’ characters

Manish Purohit of AuthorsUpfront (and ex-Publisher for Disney Publishing, India) points out, “Old stories can be told in a contemporary manner to engage children. Bheem and Hanuman have been retold in a new context — visually and textually.” In the new avatar, nine-year-old Chhota Bheem, modelled after his Pandava namesake, is blessed with extraordinary strength, and loves laddoos that give him a surge of energy - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-indian-mythology-is-gaining-popularity-with-kids/15986173#sthash.k2wch25k.dpuf

 Sales story

Ventakesh shares, “There is a surge of Indian authors writing for children. If publishers were to market Kids Stories more aggressively, it would work