The Monster and the Little Boy
CHILDREN AS CREATORS OF CONTEXTUAL INDIAN STORIES
While user testing an english reading app for LETS, we realized that there was a huge dearth in Indian content. This was a starting point for me – where I began to question as to who decides what we read, and who designs this content? I also wanted to break the stereotype by democratizing the process of designing content allowing the audience to create what they wanted to read.
Through a series of art workshops I created a small contextual library of patterns, objects, trees, animals, houses etc. for each region – which helped in enriching the visuals with familiar content. The format of a simple storybook turned into an intimate medium for sharing local stories, in vernacular languages, and an excuse to explore more art techniques. We selected stories that were passed on verbally across these tribal families through generations.
What made this particular story unique was that it was written by a young tribal boy Rohit Medha from the Grammangal school in Dahanu, Maharashtra. And it was entirely illustrated by his friends at school. I had to sift through hundreds of drawings, selecting the ones that could help in building the final visuals. I had to compose these drawings without modifying them to work together like a unit and unfold with the story.
More Info: Art Workshops for LETS Project, IDC, IIT Bombay funded by TCTD. Dahanu, Maharashtra
Year: 2014
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