Deepa engages children online with cultural activities; here is a Pongal plan

R. A. Puram resident Deepa ( seen in the first photo) used time she gained when she suspended her work as a journalist to take care of her young family to launch activities for children in her backyard. She called her project Baala Vidhya.

With the onset of the pandemic she took these activities online. And she says the children who sign up have been enthusiastic even on the online platform.

Now, she has events lined up for the Pongal festival season. All online.

Says Deepa, “I ventured to teach a bunch of kids from our neighbourhood covering a broad spectrum which included bhajans, slokas, celebrating festivals in fun and engaging ways via stories, dance , music, art works, theatre and puppet shows at our home with the support of my husband, Siddharta.”

She says that for the recent annual day event she scripted a new child-friendly and easily relatable story and choreographed the dances.

Then began the one-on-one training sessions with the children. Each child got a video of their performance mailed to Deepa and these were edited and compiled and with the use of illustrations and images a whole programme packaged and webcast online.

The virtual Pongal event for children which will include story narration with puppets, a dance-along session and art.

This is planned for January 10 and the fee is Rs.200

You can contact Deepa at 9080782535.

  • Second photo is a screen shot of a recent meet-up of the children.