The imprint of storytelling – Interview with Nidhi Bagaria

Your career journey?

I began working more than 20 years back. I had a young daughter. It was about living in a nuclear family and there being time constrains. Work would typically consist of 8-9 hours. There was a school in the neighbourhood, and I asked if I could join and teach. They observed me for a week. Then when I started going to the school and interacting with the children, I knew it was my calling. I learnt onsite – I learnt about the curriculum, how to go about teaching children. I started visiting crossword with my daughter – I had an idea that storytelling could be done around the books. I spoke to the store manager, and they asked me to come back in the evening for the interview. They gathered some children and I did the storytelling session. After that I did many events in bookstores. Storytelling helps children build life skills. It helps children imbibe values and character. I have done sessions for schools, NGOs etc. In 2013, I entered storytelling fulltime. I was in teaching, an early childhood educator, a principal, have managed centres. In 2013, I founded The Creative World. Through The Creative World, I have been spreading storytelling to schools. Schools call me to take storytelling session. And depending on the grade and age I prepare for the sessions. I have evolved as a person as a storyteller.

Storytelling has become very popular now. We have different groups. A lot of ways to share stories. I do believe stories are for all audiences. I have told stories to children suffering from cancer and the stories have a healing effect. Stories can bring in happiness. I have told stories to senior citizens. I tell stories to people from different age groups.

Could you talk about your storytelling initiative The Creative World?

I have been creative since I was a small child. I see children as being very creative. We are working with 4 different schools. We have a program for one day a week for 2-5 year olds. I work with adults and teachers and do teacher training. I have an online storytelling program for adults – where I concepts like basic understanding of storytelling and how to become a storyteller. Observation, listening and singing are all a part of these sessions. I like interactions and audiences and children responding to a story.

How do you collect stories for storytelling?

There are some stories that I have created. I have a team of teachers working with me. We gather stories. Stories include – folktales, stories from around the world, Panchatantra and mythology.

What are your personal favourite stories?

 There is this folktale about this man called Biku Bhai. He is a miser. And the story revolves around his going to market and his adventures there.

Another favourite story is 5 Spoons of salts from Sudha Murthy’s Grandma’s Bag of stories.   This story connects with all age groups.

Could you talk about the importance of stories to be included as a part of the classroom and the education system?

I believe it is very important to have stories in the classroom. As a teacher, I think it is important to have a bag of stories you can share with your students. Children can connect with stories. Stories evoke emotions. Stories should be an important part of the school curriculum. Through stories, children learn to express themselves better. I do remember the teachers who used to tell stories about themselves. Personal stories help us all connect.

Do you think are any specific age groups in school where stories are specifically relevant and useful?

I think storytelling is important for all age groups. I have done stories for 9^th to 10^th grade. Regardless of age groups, all children of all grades can benefit from stories and storytelling. I know that it helps a lot in the early years, it is however equally required in the later years.

I was doing a session on “Storytelling and Emotional Development” One of the participants was a history teacher. After the session, she did a session with her students on Freedom and incorporated elements from the workshop. She taught freedom in a different way and all enjoyed her class. Any topic and subject can be made interesting through stories.

Everything can be taught with stories – whether you are teaching about water or a plant. If you are teaching about a plant – tell the story of the plant – How the plant will talk about itself, describe itself, tell its own story.

Can you explain the secret of your magical storytelling?

I was told by cousins I had always been a storyteller. Schools and children keep me going. When I do workshops with teachers, I see them open up. To see them evolve in two hours, I am glad I have left an imprint on them.

Storytelling in Action – Some Pictures