The second edition of LitTales, Bhārata’s largest and most immersive literature and cultural festival for children, was successfully conducted on January 24th and 25th, 2025. Organized by The Verandah Club in collaboration with Prakriya International School, Coimbatore, the festival witnessed an overwhelming response, drawing participation from over 1,200 students representing 16 different schools. As a young educator engaged in the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), I was happy to note that the event was attended with great enthusiasm.It offered a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in, and contribute to, efforts that seek to restore Bhāratīyata to mainstream education. The experience was profoundly inspiring, reaffirming the necessity of such pioneering initiatives in the field of education.

The efforts of the Vivekalaya Group of Institutions were particularly noteworthy. The dedication displayed by Aishwarya Rao, Director of Vivekalaya, was evident in the sessions she conducted. Her discourse on the role of children as the future of Bhārata resonated deeply, offering insights into how education must be rooted in cultural awareness. The panel discussion featuring Shefali Vaidya and Aishwarya Rao highlighted the disconnect between contemporary education and Bhāratīya civilizational knowledge, shedding light on how classroom learning can be enriched through cultural integration.

The festival’s theme, “Imagine, Immerse, Illuminate,” was brought to life through over 40 interactive sessions led by 21 renowned storytellers. These sessions covered an extensive range of topics, from Bhāratīya astronomy, history, and art, to leadership, traditional board games, and immersive storytelling. The vibrant atmosphere was further enhanced by activities such as pottery, caricature drawing, and film screenings, ensuring dynamic engagement for all children present.

Among the most engaging sessions, the puppetry show by Anaadi Foundation stood out, seamlessly blending storytelling with Bhāratīya epics. This was a brilliant example of how indigenous traditions can be leveraged to make learning experiential and enjoyable. Similarly, Br. Gurupriya Chaitanya’s session on Bhāratīya astronomy expanded the frame of young minds, offering them a cosmic perspective rooted in ancient wisdom.

Bal Sahitya Awardee Nandini Sengupta’s session on Bhāratīya history captivated the children with narratives of unsung freedom fighters, reinforcing the importance of knowing one’s roots. The presence of esteemed authors like Sai Swaroopa Iyer, who encouraged children to craft their own stories, further ignited a passion for literature. Gaurav Tiwari’s introduction of the board game “Ramabhoomi,” based on Bhāratīya epics and Purāṇas, offered a unique and interactive way to engage with Indic narratives.

The integration of contemporary learning tools was also evident in sessions led by experts such as Jijith Nadumuri Ravi, an ISRO scientist, who provided children with an augmented reality experience of ancient Bhāratīya history. This innovative approach showcased how technology can be effectively utilized to bring the past alive. Additionally, sessions on HAM radio, photography, and traditional South Indian temple architecture offered a multidimensional approach to education.

The festival was not just about storytelling and literature; it also provided holistic learning experiences through yoga and mindfulness practices. Dinesh Ghodke from The Art of Living led an enlightening session on tales that shaped Bhārata, integrating yoga to help children explore their inner world. Similarly, Swaroop Sampath Rawal’s session on emotions through art provided an insightful look into how art can be used as a therapeutic tool for self-expression.

In the current educational landscape, which is often shaped by fragmented narratives and detached from Bhāratīya cultural wisdom, initiatives such as LitTales serve as a beacon of hope. The festival successfully demonstrated that learning is most effective when it is rooted in one’s own traditions and heritage. By providing a platform where children could experience their culture through storytelling, games, workshops, and discussions, LitTales 2025 emerged as a pioneering step toward reimagining education in Bhārata.

The meticulous planning, the diversity of sessions, and the sheer depth of knowledge shared were testaments to the dedication of The Verandah Club, Prakriya International School, and all the participating institutions. The impact of such events goes beyond a two-day festival; it plants the seeds for a lifelong engagement with Bhāratīya knowledge, inspiring young minds to explore, question, and immerse themselves in their civilizational heritage.

As a young IKS educator who attended and facilitated some of the sessions, the experience reinforced the conviction that true education must go beyond textbooks. It must awaken a child’s intrinsic connection to their culture, fostering pride and understanding of their roots. The future of Bhārata’s education lies in such holistic, culturally rich experiences, and LitTales 2025 has undoubtedly set a precedent for what is possible in this domain.

You can read the report by Verandah Club here.