The much-anticipated second edition of Lit Tales, India’s first immersive literature and cultural carnival for children, is scheduled to take place on January 24-25, 2025, at Prakriya International School, Coimbatore. Organized by The Verandah Club in association with the school, this year’s event, themed “Imagine, Immerse, Illuminate”, promises to inspire a generation of young minds through a celebration of literature, culture, and creativity.
Building on Success: From 2024 to 2025
Lit Tales 2025 aims to be bigger and better, with an expected participation of over 2,000 students, 21 storytellers, and 40+ sessions. The immersive format, unique in Bharat, will feature simultaneous sessions across different venues, offering children diverse experiences to explore their interests.
The inaugural edition of Lit Tales in 2024 was a resounding success, attracting over 400 students from 10 schools. The two-day event featured thought-provoking discussions on storytelling, creative thinking, and staying rooted in one’s heritage.
Highlights of the Festival
The event will include:
- Cultural Immersion Programs for history enthusiasts.
- Leadership lessons for aspiring leaders.
- Writing workshops for budding authors.
- Art therapy, HAM radio demos, and photography workshops for creative minds.
- Book readings and film screenings by Prachyam for book lovers.
- Indie Merchandise from from Agami, food stalls, and ice cream counters to create a vibrant carnival atmosphere.
Speaking about the initiative, Jagannathan, founder of The Verandah Club, remarked, “Early impressions on children heavily influence the paths they choose in life. Post-independence, our worldview lacked a Bharatiya-centric approach, but now we can no longer afford to make excuses for future generations. This festival aims to ignite inspiring and thought-provoking discussions to shape today’s children into tomorrow’s leaders.”
Looking forward to being a part of #litttales, first ever children’s literary Fest in Bharat organised by @theverandahclub. We also organise the annual @GhatsLitFest each year! Students can register via schools. @jaggu916 pic.twitter.com/rxa2dq6jth
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) January 5, 2025
Esteemed Speakers:
Lit Tales 2025 boasts a stellar lineup of speakers, including bestselling author Sai Swaroopa Iyer, Shefali Vaidya, and luminaries like Abhinav Kadambi, Aishwarya Rao, Arjun Bharadwaj, Br. Gurupriya Chaitanya, Dharanendra Momaya, Dinesh Godke, Gaurav Tiwari, Hari & Namrata, Jijith Nadumuri Ravi, Nandini Sengupta, Pradeep Chakravarthy, Prakash Belawadi, Shakkeela Manoj, Siddharth Srinivasan, Swaroop Sampat Rawal, S Vijaya Kumar, Vaishnavi Gurusankar, and Vigneshwaran G. and many others. These speakers will share their knowledge and passion, encouraging young participants to delve deeper into literature and culture.
Reviving Bharat’s Cultural Ethos
Driven by the mission to foster a cultural renaissance in India, The Verandah Club, under the guidance of chairman Prof. P. Kanagasabapathy and director Shefali Vaidya, has been instrumental in promoting our heritage. Lit Tales is the flagship event of this initiative, complemented by festivals like the Western Ghats Literature Festival, Kongu Tamil Sangamam, and regular Filter Coffee Sessions.
A Collaborative Effort
The collaboration between The Verandah Club and Prakriya International School has created a unique synergy, enabling a platform for students to engage, learn, and flourish. The event will also feature an extensive bookstall by Subbu Books, giving children the chance to meet authors and get their books signed.
Registration is being coordinated through schools, ensuring broad participation. With its unique format and Bharatiya-centric vision, Lit Tales 2025 is poised to leave an indelible mark, shaping the cultural and literary landscape of Bharat while inspiring young minds to imagine, immerse, and illuminate their futures.
