JOIN USReviving the charm of storytelling
Does the tic-toc of a galloping horse or the cries of wicked witch – so well enacted by him – still ring in your ears? The art of story telling might be alien to many children today, but the good news is that it’s not quite dead.
And Surekha Panandiker vouches for it. “In fact, in today's hectic times, there is a need for children to feel more secured. Telling them stories is the best way to do so.
It not only serves as an educational tool but also acts as a therapy for those undergoing stress – an issue which is so often neglected,” says Surekha, who is the convenor, children’s library project of Association of Writers’ and Illustrators’ for Children and also the president of Bachpan Society, an organisation that is dedicated to revive story telling culture in the City.
Other than holding workshops at various schools in Delhi, Panandiker, who’s been promoting the art of storytelling for the last 45 years, also narrates stories to slum children near Green Park (where Bachpan Society is located) .
However, she maintains that story telling is not everyone’s cuppa. Indira Ananthakrishnan, who writes children's books and started story telling as a hobby seconds Panandiker, “The best way to keep the kids away from the idiot box is to occupy their mind with books.”
However, telling a tale is not enough. You need to do something more to keep the child entertained. So while letting children in on fantasy world, Indira uses colourful props, group singing and interactivity exercises to hold her young audiences’ attention.
“Sound and colours help children relate better to spoken words. However, sans these elements, mere articulation is also enough to hold the interest of the child,” she says.
So, a story teller needs to figure out his strength area (read: voice, singing, painting or dancing) and use that as a medium to get close to children. “And, most importantly you need to be ready to breathe life into written words,” shares Nupur Awasthi, children’s educator-cum-story teller.
However, all this is not possible if you don't inherit a genuine passion: love for kids.
“You have to be genuinely fond of little children because there are times when they are extremely tough to deal with and patience is the key word to bear their tantrums,” she smiles.
And proving a child’s whim right is five-year-old Raghu, who wants to grow up to be a scientist. Although he demands ‘scientific gadgets’ as birthday presents, he is equally clued to “The Shepherd Boy” and “The Fox and the Crow.”
Proud mum Radhika Jain informs, “I have been sending him for story telling workshops right since he was three.
Today he not only cooks up his own stories and narrates with rhyming words, but also has an excellent vocabulary.” Radhika also feels that it is the best way for a child to pass his free time constructively and fill him with knowledge.
Want to be a story teller?
* Love for children: You should be able to interact with the kids in such a way that your story should hold their attention.
* Love for reading: You should have an in depth knowledge about various children's stories with a message.
* Language: Your language of communication should be understood by the kids. Start with folktales to make task simpler.
* Story selection: Keep in mind the age group and choose the story appropriately. Use colourful props if necessary.
* Voice modulation: Sans props, the story can be just as effective. Articulate and modulate your voice according to the story.