Of morning walks and memories “Hal kabdikabdikabdikabdi….” At least that’s what it sounded like at the time. So many of our childhood games were learnt by osmosis that one cannot be certain about whether the aural memories are accurate. Like LOND.. London, we never questioned why the ON was dropped from the spelling in our […]
Category: #storytelling
Introducing Nautanki Mom: Storytelling in Singapore
One of our objectives on Masala Chai is to support fresh, spontaneous, informal and independent projects the field of family life and children’s care as well as children’s activities. In this category, we have featured authors of children’s books, features about children through photo stories, mothers who have initiated online ventures, as well as creative […]
The Elephant, the King and Silly Mama
The Elephant, the King and Silly Mama (Adapted from The Story of Ribhu[1]) One day, a young child named Rinku was going with his mother to a mela when they saw a king’s procession passing by. The king was sitting on an elephant. Playfully, the mother asked him: “What is happening here, Rinku?” “That is the […]
On Dolls
She was about half my age when I first met her, although we had heard stories about her constantly expanding family of dolls. We spent some time together one summer when she came to visit her aunt, my mentor. An intensely curious young girl in a quiet sort of way, one always got the impression […]
The story or the storyteller, what is more important?
With permission from the author Devdutt Pattanaik, the story with extracts from the book. Published by Tulika Press, Chennai. https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/hanuman-s-ramayan-book-1764939488.html Illustrations from the book are by Nancy Raj. HANUMAN’S RAMAYAN After completing the Ramayan, the story of Ram, Valmiki was satisfied and proud until he met the sage Narad who was not impressed. …”“It’s good” he […]
Beyond the Basketball Court
By Pankaj Asthaana Disclosures first – I am not an academic and this essay will not qualify as a scientific document. It is at best the meandering thoughts of a father making a sincere attempt to be a better parent. I hope it serves as a worthwhile dose of rumination with your weekly cup of […]
Fragility and strength: An unanticipated paradox?
About a month ago, a small tenant appeared alongside a healthy plant I was nurturing in my apartment. The mysterious sprout was evidently emerging from a handful of soil I had recently added. Gradually, the diaphanous spine of a creeper began to display its third and identifiable leaf, and I realized it was a karela (bitter […]
“Papa, how will I know what is right?”
This is the excerpt for your very first post.
MASALA CHAI 