By Aafaque Hussain
India’s Oldest and Biggest Children’s Literature Festival, “BOOKAROO SHILLONG, 2025”, made its much-awaited debut in Shillong, marking a vibrant milestone in the city’s cultural calendar. The grand festival brought together an impressive galaxy of celebrated authors, gifted storytellers, and creative minds who shared their experiences, ideas, and passion for the world of books with hundreds of enthusiastic young children of Shillong.
The Bookaroo, a children’s literature festival that seeks to make books come alive through meaningful interactions between children, creators, and storytellers was warmly and wholeheartedly embraced by the young audience of Shillong, who have always shown a natural curiosity, an imaginative spirit, and a deep love for storytelling and books.
The 50th edition of this landmark festival also created opportunities for children to meet and interact closely with celebrated illustrators such as Savio Mascarenhas, Pankaj Saikia, and Nidaphi Hynniewta, among many others who continue to inspire generations through their artwork.
Speaking exclusively to Sunday Shillong about the fest, Savio Mascarenhas – the creative genius behind iconic Tinkle characters like Shikari Shambu, Mopes & Purr, and Big Baan – said that he firmly believes visuals remain one of the most powerful and effective means of communication for both children and adults alike.
“This is a fulfilling platform for me as I interact with young students and show them how to draw Tinkle characters and some divine beings from “Amar Chitra Katha”.
Mascarenhas further added that such unique platforms also provide illustrators and creators with valuable feedback on their work, which in turn helps refine their craft. On the growing addiction of children to mobile phones, he acknowledged that the challenge cannot be entirely avoided, but emphasised that parents have a crucial role to play in shaping habits.
The two-day Shillong edition of Bookaro from September 19 and 20, turned into a vibrant celebration of imagination and creativity. It became a rich confluence of speakers, including authors, illustrators, comic book artists, and animators from across India, who interacted with curious young minds and presented their thoughts, stories, and flights of imagination.
With over 40 engaging and exciting sessions spread across various categories such as storytelling, workshops, book readings, and interactive performances, the festival provided continuous entertainment and learning for the eager young audience. On the first day, Friday, the organisers invited several schools from Shillong and beyond to participate, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds had access to this rare opportunity.
Adding to the festival’s charm, children were also able to browse and purchase books by their favourite authors and illustrators and even get them personally signed at the bustling Festival Bookstore – a delightful memory for many.
Renowned scholar Esther Syiem, retired professor of English Literature at NEHU, Shillong, and a leading authority on Khasi folk literature, stressed that children should be constantly told stories and be introduced early to colors, pictures, and illustrations to ignite creativity and encourage their imagination.
The festival witnessed a massive turnout of school students who participated in sessions on art, craft, and creativity. Importantly, the platform was not confined to seasoned experts alone. Out of the 22 speakers, 13 were first-timers, stepping onto the Bookaroo stage for the very first time, giving children a refreshing mix of voices, perspectives, and fresh energy.
In Khana Dieng, Priyanka Chatterjee (popularly known as Golpadidi) mesmerised young children with whimsical sessions where even one’s hands transformed into storytellers. Similarly, Jemimah Marak conducted sessions around themes of friendship and empathy, beautifully showcasing how small decisions often lead to extraordinary adventures.
In the Studio, author and gender rights educator Swati Sengupta, who envisions a free and equal world filled with dignity and respect for all, engaged students with thought-provoking narratives about “German Baba in Ranchi, Cirda 1915”.
Another key highlight was the session with Nandini Nayar, a prolific writer, storyteller, educator, and curriculum developer, with more than 90 books for children across age groups. She underlined that book reading among children must be treated as a long-term cultural practice rather than something that delivers instant results.
Illustrator, author, and art director Pankaj Saikia from Assam, who works extensively with picture books, comics, and graphic novels and has authored five picture books while illustrating many more, held captivating sessions on wordless storytelling – using only pictures, images, and visual cues to weave narratives.
The festival was not only a space to listen and learn but also a platform for children to express themselves. Young participants were encouraged to showcase their talents and creativity through drawings, writings, and personal expressions.
Meanwhile, Pascal Mario Kmenlang Pathaw – architect, visual designer, and storyteller from Shillong – conducted workshops that blended art, design, and narrative. By guiding children through character design, visual storytelling, and creative thinking, he inspired young creators to embrace imagination.
In its landmark 50th year, Bookaroo’s debut in Shillong covered various topics like storytelling, art, nature, and growing-up issues, making it a magical weekend of reading, art, and fun for children.
