A Children’s Book to Break Gender Norms
Growing up in a city steeped in gender bias, Raksha Bandhan always evoked a complex mix of emotions in me. From as early as age five, I began rebelling against the phrases “girls can’t do that” or “girls are weaker,” and the premise of Raksha Bandhan never sat right with me.
For those unfamiliar with the festival, Raksha Bandhan is an annual Indian celebration where sisters tie a decorative thread (Rakhi) around their brother’s wrist. The sister wishes for her brother’s long life, and in return, the brother promises to protect her. Protect. Only protect. Because, of course, she needs all the protection while he simply needs to live long 🙂
Looking at the stories associated with this festival, the same theme emerges repeatedly. The epic Mahabharata has a harrowing episode where Draupadi is protected by Krishna in a moment of crisis. The now-questioned story of Rani Karnavati being saved by Emperor Humayun follows the same pattern.
Efforts have been made to justify or tweak these narratives. “Ajanta, you are making a big deal out of it. Just think of it as a festival to celebrate the sibling bond,” people say. But then, why doesn’t the brother tie a Rakhi on his sister? Why don’t two brothers or two sisters celebrate it? Wouldn’t they also get a chance to showcase their love and care through this festival?
That’s where the idea for this book came about. The festival has such a wonderful overall sentiment. Why not extend it beyond gender norms? One of the main characters experiences this realization right in the book’s pivotal scene.
Don’t get me wrong—I am terrified. We are challenging the fundamentals of a centuries-old festival, and there is a significant chance we will face harsh criticism. But the desire and conviction to strip away the gender norms from a beautiful festival and transform it into the ultimate celebration of a loving bond triumphs every time.
#BreakTheBias #MayaNeelBooks #GenderNorms #NewBookRelease
#ModernTraditions #CelebrateLove #GenderEquality
Selected! WLA Conference Speaker!
So Excited to share that I have been selected as a Speaker for the Wisconsin Library Association’s Annual conference!
Not only do I get to speak about enhancing multiculturalism in libraries, but I also get to meet fantastic librarians from all over the state!
#conferencespeaker #multiculturalspeaker #raisemulticulturalkids
Interested in booking a one-of-a-kind Cultural workshop for your School, Library, company or Organization?
“Effortless” is a Myth
“Effortless is a myth” Roger Federer recently said this during commencement speech and it struck a chord with me.
What you see on the surface of these pictures is me in my happy place, surrounded by curious minds who just finished learning about a different way of living through an incredibly fun mix of movement and stories.
What you don’t see are the years of fine-tuning the craft. I often have absolutely no information about the participants of a workshop I am about to conduct. I don’t know if it will be 5 people or 50; will they be toddlers or adults; will they be open to trying something new?
All I know is that I have to provide them with an experience that they will not only remember for a long time but will also propel them into the world of exploring different cultures.
It might seem effortless to an audience member but in reality, it takes years of trial and error and hard work to get to this point.
Here’s to all the educators, cultural or otherwise, in relentlessly working to improve their craft and making it seem effortless. Do not let anyone lower the value of your work because *you* made it look easy.
Watch the entire speech here.
When I danced with a Camel!
There are moments in life that you just can’t make up. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of arts, I’ve had my fair share of unique experiences. But one that stands out is the time I found myself dancing next to a camel at an expo.
Yes, you read that right—a camel. The organizers, in their quest to showcase the multicultural richness of the event, decided that a camel would be the perfect addition to make it “exotic”. While I appreciate the effort to celebrate diversity, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the slightly bizarre situation.
But here’s the thing about being an entrepreneur and a performer: you learn to make the most of every situation, no matter how unexpected.
So, with a big smile and all the enthusiasm I could muster, I danced my heart out next to my new, very tall, and slightly confused co-star.
The performance was recorded for TV, and I knew I had to turn this into an opportunity.
Once the clip aired, I went into full marketing mode. I shared it across all my social media channels. The response was incredible! People loved the quirky, unexpected twist, and it gave me a chance to highlight my adaptability and sense of humor.
The PR from this unusual performance more than made up for waking up at 5 am and dancing next to a camel with a tiny boombox 🙂
So, if you ever find yourself in a bizarre situation, remember to embrace it with enthusiasm. You never know when dancing next to a camel might become your next big marketing success!
5 Reasons why Kids should learn Mythology
1. Engaging Stories
Myths are typically filled with compelling stories that capture the imagination.
These narratives often feature heroes, gods, and magical creatures that intrigue children and hold their attention.
This makes learning about the culture that produced these myths more enjoyable and memorable.
For example, the delightful story of Krishna sneaking butter makes every child smile!
2. Cultural Values and Norms
Myths often reflect the values, morals, and societal norms of the cultures they come from.
Through these stories, children can learn about what various cultures might value in terms of bravery, wisdom, honesty, and other virtues.
This helps children understand and respect cultural differences.
For example, Hindu mythology has numerous stories about bravery, about taking a risk for the benefit of the masses, and so on. The story of Krishna facing the fearsome Kaliya demonstrates exactly that!
3. Historical Context
Many myths are steeped in the historical and environmental context of a culture.
They can provide insights into how people in those cultures lived, what they feared, what they celebrated, and how they explained natural phenomena or the universe around them.
For example, wit and intelligence has long been celebrated around the world over brute strength. Ganesha, known for his wit and wisdom, is believed to have won a contest with his brother of racing around the world by simply circling around his parents and calling them his “world”!
4. Critical Thinking
Myths often present complex narratives with moral dilemmas and philosophical questions.
This can help children develop critical thinking skills as they analyze the characters’ decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
For example, Ganesha’s mother asked her to guard the door as she took a bath. Shiva, Ganesha’s father and who Ganesha had never met before, tried to enter. Ganesha fearlessly takes on the mighty Shiva and even gets injured in the process. It sure provides something to think about to the kids!
5. Universal Themes
While myths are culturally specific, they often deal with universal themes like love, conflict, adventure, and transformation.
This can help children see the commonalities between their own culture and others, promoting empathy and global awareness.
For example, the story of Krishna’s father carrying him in a basket on his head and crossing a river to take Krishna to safety, sounds a bit familiar to Moses in the basket.
Similarly, Krishna facing his evil uncle, Kamsa, in a battle is similar to the stories of Horus and Set!
Get our Krishna and Ganesha books
Embark on a delightful journey through Indian mythology with our children’s books, “Let’s Celebrate Krishna’s Birthday” and “Let’s Celebrate Ganesha’s Birthday”.
Perfectly tailored for a global audience, these books bring the enchanting stories of Krishna and Ganesha to life in a way that’s fun, educational, and suitable for young readers aged 3-8.
Each book is filled with vibrant illustrations and age-appropriate narratives that capture the essence of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Whether uncovering Krishna’s mischievous escapades or marveling at Ganesha’s wisdom, these stories are designed to entertain, enlighten, and inspire curiosity in children, making them a fantastic addition to any family’s bookshelf.
