Signs, songs & written word
Festival also explored the connection between the written word and music
Hyderabad: While the Hyderabad edition of the Story Arts Festival came as the much-needed platfrm for children to engage in literature, organisers of the two-day fest ensured that no one was left out from indulging in these arts.
“Although several people were apprehensive, I knew that someone had to do it,” said Deepa Kiran, the founder of Story Arts India. To make it all inclusive, sessions on sign languages, painting for the visually-disabled and also one to nurture the creative spirit of autistic children were held.
The festival also explored the connection between the written word and music, sign language and even had sessions on story telling in different languages.
Author Cheryl Rao, who was a facilitator said, “Interactions like these help adults learn from kids as well.”
Meanwhile, parents of teens learned the art of communication. Aarthi Selvan, a psychotherapist, who held a creative journaling interaction for teens and parents, said, “In the grind of daily life, parents and teens forget to acknowledge how grateful they are to have each other.”
Although, the organiser duo Deepa and Nivedita N. of non-profit Nivasini Publish-ers had their share of hiccups for the first edition, they hope to make the fest a yearly affair.