Storee Ki Boree reiterates the role of storytelling in child development

The Hindu

16-07-2025

In a fast-paced world, where gadgets and technology dominate our lives, stories and theatre can play a powerful role in connecting us to ourselves.
Delhi-based theatre collective, Storee Ki Boree, recently staged its latest production, Ka Se Kahani , at the LTG Auditorium, Mandi House. A heart-warming story set in a village backdrop, the play is about love, learning, second chances and the magic that happens when generations truly connect. It traces the quiet yet radical journey of Vijaya, a 60-year-old woman at a village in North Karnataka, who decides to learn to read, guided by her granddaughter, Seeya. This theatrical adaptation was inspired by 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' — a short story by well-known author Sudha Murty.
Directed and designed by film and theatre actor, Munish Sharma, the production weaves together dialogue, movement and music to create an immersive experience that resonates with audience across ages. Dialogues are by Mrinal Mathur and dramaturgy support by Kavitha (Vishwa Shilpi Art Consultation, Bengaluru).
'As a storyteller and an educator, Ka Se Kahani reminded me how stories, when told right, can be gentle revolutions,' says Shraddha Gupta, founder of Storee Ki Boree.
When Shraddha returned from London, her children had 'nothing but malls for entertainment', she felt the need to tell them about our rich culture and heritage. The journey began at a nurturing space called Learning Tree, where she worked with children and discovered the power of listening. 'When you truly listen, you see how deeply children feel and how naturally they express themselves through stories. That's what led to Storee Ki Boree,' she says. Known for its emotionally rich, child-led storytelling, it honours the child's voice — not just as a performer, but as storytellers in their own right.
Since 2008, Storee Ki Boree has staged more than 50 original productions in over 11 cities and has trained more than 10,000 children and adults through its theatre and storytelling workshops. From The Nutcracker to Krishna Katha, it has hosted everything from mythology to modern tales. For instance, Ramlila,which has had over 200 housefull shows, is a nice blend of mythology and modernity told with humour and imagination. Further, Kabuliwala, a Tagore classic, has been equally loved for its emotional depth and simplicity.
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The team consists of not just theatre-makers, but also passionate educators, artistes and child-development specialists, who believe in the transformative power of stories. 'Our goal has always been to nurture self-expression while building trust, awareness and respect in every interaction — on and off stage,' says Shraddha. Alongside theatre, they also design leadership workshops to help build confidence, communication and empathy in children. The collective's work is informed by its understanding of child protection and safety frameworks, such as POCSO, which helps them ensure emotionally and physically safe spaces for every child.