On Friday, Prithvi to host storytelling night

On Friday evening, author and poet Sampurna Chattarji will bring alive a little bit of Scheherezade in herself.

On Friday evening, author and poet Sampurna Chattarji will bring alive a little bit of Scheherezade in herself.

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But unlike Scheherezade, who told stories to a king who had sentenced her to death, Chattarji will read aloud to a motley bunch of children.

The event will mark the 90th anniversary of a publishing house.

Prithvi Theatre will host writers Chattarji and Vivek Tandon at an Arabian Nights-styled ‘storytelling night’ for children. Similar readings will be held in six other cities simultaneously.

“There is a certain magic to reading aloud. I don’t know how much parents still do that nowadays,” said Chattarji. “When you read aloud it adds a different dimension to the drama, suspense and humour — especially if it is read well.”

While Chattarji has written The Fried Frog and other Funny Freaky Foodie Feisty Poems, Tandon has written A Blind Man’s Map of Mumbai for children.

“Storytelling nights are the best way to get children to read, when they are made to read they get to know more about books and get into the habit of reading,” said Neeraj Jain, director of finance and operations at Scholastic India.

The organisers are yet to decide which works the authors will read on Friday. Schools have been invited to send students.

— Event is by invitation only