The sky was overcast, the roads were waterlogged, and traffic moved at a slow crawl. Despite the weather, we started off early for our session at Very Special Arts—an institute that Bookaroo has visited in the past as part of its outreach programme.
Champa Saha, our resource person for the day, was already set and ready, having arrived from Bengaluru the day before. With years of experience teaching in schools across Delhi, Dehradun, Devlali, Pathankot, Faridkot, and Ajmer, Champa has also established teacher resource centres and conducted numerous workshops for both teachers and students on communicative language teaching.
But today, she had donned her storytelling hat.
A special educator and counsellor by profession, storytelling is one of the things Champa enjoys most about her work.
The children were all dressed in red—perhaps in honour of the session, or maybe it was just a “red day” for them. We didn’t enquire. What we did know was that VSA and its merry band of students come from a space where abilities differ and means are limited. Many are differently abled, and most come from economically marginalised backgrounds.
The institute stands as a vibrant beacon, offering a blend of social, educational, and vocational rehabilitation services – a safe space where learning meets joy, and hope is woven into every activity.
And so, there we were. The welcome note had been read out, and Champa stepped in and began with a short story from one of Anupam Prayas Foundation’s books – a tale that gently stole into the room, tugging at invisible strings. As the story progressed, it created a spark and suddenly, in unison, the children cried out: “Mujhe bhi khelna hai!”
It wasn’t just a response to the story – it was a powerful echo of longing, inclusion, and joy. A moment that reminded us why these sessions matter. The story was based on the lived experience of a non-speaking autistic individual. As it unfolded, something remarkable happened. The glee on their faces, especially Pragya, Hema, Mukul, Gauri was unmistakable. It was as if they saw themselves in the story, and that connection lit them up from within.
As the story ended and Champa began asking questions – what they liked to do in their spare time, what games they enjoyed, just like Ishaan in the story – it became clear quickly that music was a universal favourite among them.
So, I nudged Champa: “Why don’t you sing something for us?”
And that was it.
The floodgates opened.
One after the other, the children began to come forward to perform – songs, rhythms, dances. Their confidence, their joy, their sheer will to express themselves was overwhelming.
Just a little while ago, we were stuck in traffic under an overcast sky – and now, here we were, transported into a kind of fairyland where joy and celebration ruled.
Hardly any words were spoken. But the gestures, the smiles, the pats on the back, the hugs, the winks, and the little dance moves said it all.
As we wrapped up and prepared to leave, there was a quiet sense of fulfillment in the air. These sessions are meant to give – but they also give back, in ways that are deeply humbling. We had come with stories, hoping to engage. But what we received in return was something far greater: a reminder of the purest forms of expression, of connection beyond language, and of joy found in the smallest shared moments. For all the challenges that the world outside may bring – traffic, grey skies, noise – inside this little space at VSA, there was only warmth, music, laughter, and light. And that’s what we carried back with us.
We left reminded that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones told not in words – but in laughter, rhythm, and the sparkle in a child’s eye.
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This visit of Bookaroo in the City, the festival’s outreach programme, is supported by Perfetti van Melle India’s CSR initiative.
