Meet the Speakers 2024
Meet the creators of the books encourages the children to read more and fall in love with the books. Join us in celebrating The One and Only Exclusive Children’s Literary Festival of Tamil Nadu.
Zarin Maraikayar
Zarin is a creative storyteller involved in festivals like the Chennai Storytelling Festival (2020-2023) and the Madurai Children’s Lit Festival (2021-2023). She earned a Certificate of Excellence for Tamil Book Reviews and has led workshops that integrate storytelling with STEM education. Zarin has taught at Story Fills Academy, conducted puppet storytelling sessions at Don Bosco School, and organized a puppetry workshop at Chennai Public School in 2023. She also introduced “Data Storytelling” at the festival and works as a research scholar and project manager at an innovative IT company.
Risheb Jain
Risheb Jain is an unschooling father and the founder of Childhood Matters, an initiative where he shares his unschooling journey and advocates for mindful parenting practices. Through Childhood Matters, Risheb inspires parents to embrace free play, outdoor activities, and stronger parent-child connections. He also runs his family business, MIDAS, a renowned women’s clothing store in Madurai.
Vanithamani Arulvel
Vanithamani Arulvel is a dynamic Storyteller for children exclusively in Tamil. Butterfly Kids Library’ is being run by her which is an important phenomenon. She conducts various storytelling sessions for children under the banner named ‘Kathaikalam’ The Storytelling Academy and also a soft skill trainer to college students. ‘Happy classroom for children and teachers’ is an academic training being conducted for teachers in various schools.
Udhayashankar. K
Udaya Shankar, a luminary in Tamil literature, weaves tales that resonate with the spirit of children. Engaged with the Progressive Writers Association, he nurtures budding literary talents as the Coordinator of the Juvenile Writers Association. His enchanting work, ‘Adhanin Bommai’ has garnered the prestigious 2023 Bala Sahitya Puraskar Award, celebrating his contribution to juvenile novels.
Subid
Subid K S, a distinguished lIT Delhi postgraduate in product design, is celebrated for his engaging toy-making workshops called Ahimsa Toys, having conducted over 700 sessions. A devoted disciple of Padmasree Arvind Gupta, he transforms ordinary wasted materials into enchanting toys, emphasizing non-violence (Ahimsa). His workshops aim to instill life values like care, share, and patience, while also teaching essential engineering skills, enabling participants to create their own Real World.
Savie Karnel
Meet the literary wizard behind the fantastic adventures The Nameless God and Laxmi Panda: The Epic Saga of Netaji’s Youngest Spy! Her debut, The Nameless God, was shortlisted for the Bangalore Literature Festival’s Book Prize in 2021. And guess what? It was the only kids’ book to make a splash at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival’s Words to Screen Options Market in 2023!
When she’s not writing or dreaming up plots, Savie enjoys exploring new places.
Satwik Gade
Satwik Gade is the author of “The Alice Project”, a fiction novel published by Harper Collins. He is a Fulbright Scholar in Arts with an MFA from MICA, Baltimore, US. He is also an award winning children’s book illustrator and comic artist with publications in India and the US. As an environmental activist based in Chennai, India, he is keenly exploring the intersection of art and social justice around the Ennore.
Perumal Murugan
Perumal Murugan is a distinguished professor of Tamil literature and a cherished literary figure in India, renowned for his bestselling works. An award-winning author, poet, and scholar, he draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of his native Kongunadu region in Tamil Nadu. His writings vividly capture the essence of daily life, unfolding within the familiar landscapes of villages and small towns. In the realm of Tamil literature, he shines as a formidable luminary.
Parvathy Eswaran
Parvathy Eswaran is a dedicated storyteller who believes in the abundance of tales around us. She views storytellers as essential for sharing these narratives. Parvathy leads workshops for educators and individuals, and has participated in festivals like the National Storytelling Network and the Indonesian Storytelling Festival. Her storytelling journey began at Kathalaya after a successful
25-year career in the corporate world.
P. Chandrasekhar
Chandrasekhar stands as a devoted mentor and visionary, igniting the spirits of young artists through the vibrant realms of painting, drawing, and sculpting. In his role as a creative art director at Children’s House Montessori Preschool, he weaves together innovative practices with time-honored techniques to foster boundless exploration.
His artistic journey is adorned with accolades from district-level competitions, the orchestration of captivating art exhibitions, and his involvement in a world record event in the enchanting city of Madurai.
M. Nithya
Nithya, A Transformative leader and Visionary Founder of Little Champions International Pre-school, Pioneering MPWA, JCI, and TNPSA. Her selfless initiatives focus on children’s well-being, leveraging storytelling for cancer ward children, child safety awareness, and empowerment programs to create lasting impact, embodying her philosophy: To teach is to touch a child’s life forever.
Muthukrishnan
Muthukrishnan is a storyteller, wanderer, and champion of social causes. His adventures have taken him across India and beyond, weaving tales inspired by his journeys, lecture tours, and scholarly pursuits. As a skilled translator, he has breathed life into numerous works, transforming them from English to Tamil. He is also the visionary behind Green Walk, a collective of spirited individuals who tread the less-traveled paths to uncover the beauty of forgotten monuments. Muthukrishnan is among those who never complain that the river is dirty but start cleaning it up themselves.
Mo. Pandiarajan
Pandiarajan stands as the esteemed Director of the EDEN – Educational Resource Centre in Madurai. He proudly holds the titles of Foldscope Fellow and Sowcha Sarathi Fellow in India. A dedicated Science Communicator and Social Scientist, he serves as a Correspondent for CHAMPAK School. Additionally, he fulfills the role of Secretary for the Global Nursery and Primary Schools Association.
Adithi Rao
Adithi, a Theatre graduate from Smith College, has worked as an assistant director on the Hindi film “Satya” and authored many books and short stories. She directed the Kuyili!Unbuk Project for Katha to support education for Irula tribal children. Her film scripts have been acquired by Aamir Khan Productions and Excel Entertainment. Her play ‘The Nights’ premiered at the World Puppet Theatre Festival in France. Adithi also leads writing workshops and serves as a visiting faculty member at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology.
More information is available at adithirao.com.
Meera Venkatesan
Meera Venkatesan is a professional performance storyteller, writer, trainer and learning consultant with a love of words and a deep desire to create meaningful learning. She is passionate about anything that borders on creativity and imagination. She believes that indulging in creative imagination is every child’s right. She feels that her calling is in kindling this as a facilitator. She conducts coaching programs in storytelling, public speaking and creative writing for adults and children.
Meera V.Bharath
Meera, an AmmaPreneur, shifted from 17 years in HR recruitment to storytelling, founding Mayaakatha Storytelling and LetsMakeStoriesDino communities.
Inspired by her daughter Maya’s illustrations and her promise to her Appa, Meera released her debut book, Mayaakatha. She has compiled 7 books featuring over 300 writers, poets, and authors, championing creative voices.
Her vision emphasizes the power of passion and collaboration in impactful narratives.
Deepa Kiran
Deepa Kiran stands as the visionary founder of the Story Arts Foundation, an esteemed international storyteller, educationaist, TED Speaker, and a dedicated research scholar at lIT Madras. Her storytelling weaves the rich tapestry of India’s oral traditions, beautifully interlaced with melodious instrumentation and songs that resonate in a myriad of Indian languages. To know more about Deepa https://linktr.ee/Deepa.Kiran
Ashwin Prabhu
Ashwin Prabhu, formerly of The School KFI in Chennai, published his first book, ‘Classroom With a View – Notes from the Krishnamurti Schools’, in 2022, blending educational philosophy with classroom experiences. In 2023, he released ‘Sculpted Stones – Mysteries of Mamallapuram’ with Tulika Publishers, encouraging youth to explore their cultural heritage. He now enjoys collaborating with teachers and children at the crossroads of philosophy, history, art, and literature.
Anthea Isaac
Anthea Dorothy Isaac is an Assistant Professor of English and a passionate writer with a Master’s in English Literature from Lady Doak College. She is pursuing her Ph.D. while engaging in roles as a freelance writer, YouTuber, blogger, and speaker. Her work focuses on motivation and entertainment, especially K-pop culture. Anthea’s blog offers insights on various topics, inviting readers to explore personal and cultural reflections.
Anagha Prasad
Anagha Prasad, a professional storyteller and a certified Yoga instructor for the past 10 years. She shifted her tracks from corporate life when her calling of life came to light.
Being a dancer as well she realised how all the 3 art forms which chose her are intertwined. She loves to explore intertwining these arts and making her audience
enthralled.
Aparna Karthikeyan
Aparna Karthikeyan is an author, journalist, and senior fellow at the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI). Her non-fiction book, *Nine Rupees an Hour*, explores ten vanishing livelihoods in Tamil Nadu. She has authored five children’s books, including *Kali Wants to Dance* and *Woof! Adventures by the Sea*. Additionally, Aparna creates text articles, photo essays, and video documentaries for various platforms.