To help children make themselves heard in classrooms and help them engage in various forms of literature, Azim Premji University will conduct the third edition of KathaVana, their annual literature festival for children between the ages of 6 and 14.
The multilingual festival will bring together children, publishers, teachers, academicians and storytellers under one roof. Events such as meet-the-author programme, story telling session, book exhibition and activity sessions will be organised for students. Sessions will also be conducted for teachers on how they bring literature alive in classrooms.
Explaining the concept of the fest, Shailaja Menon, faculty, Azim Premji University, said that it was important for children to engage with literature in various forms.
“It is never too early to immerse children in literature. It helps open reality that you cannot imagine and very often holds mirror to one’s own life. There is always academics and education and there needs to be vision and passion,” she said. Another unique feature of the fest would be introduction of children to folklore. “Literature is not all about Shakespeare and there is a need to present literature in an organic way,” Ms. Menon said.
KathaVana will be held for teachers and facilitators at Azim Premji University on September 10 and 11, and at Makkala Koota in Chamarajapet for children on September 12 and 13.
