Katha Utsav 2024 – A festival to celebrate young story writers

PRNewswire

New Delhi [India]September 5: In keeping with its 35-year-old tradition of encouraging children to write and read, KATHA is delighted to announce the 2024 edition of Katha Utsav. This writing festival is for children and by children and celebrates imagination and expression through storytelling.

Katha Utsav brings together young storytellers from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and creates an inclusive space for their written expressions to flourish. The festival aims to break down cultural and linguistic barriers, encourage creativity and enable children to make a meaningful impact on the world through their stories.

Since 1988, Katha has been a pioneer in the field of literacy and literature. With over 800 titles in 10 Indian languages, Katha Utsav brings stories to life, reaching over 10 million children. Through its Katha National Writers' Workshops, Katha Utsav helps children write for joy, express their imagination and connect with their peers nationwide.

This year, the competition is open to children in grades 4 to 12. Both individuals and schools can participate and submit entries until September 12, 2024. A grand jury will then select the entries for the regional rounds, where selected participants will participate in two-day live workshops. The best writers from these workshops will qualify for the prestigious Katha Utsav Finale, a three-day event that brings together writers, illustrators and theatre personalities under one roof.

Ananya, a 2021 finalist, says, “Katha Utsav helped me believe in my writing and gave me the courage to share it.” Aamir, a 2018 participant, reflects, “I was a shy person, and with my stories and writing, I felt heard, valued, and started making friends.”

Geeta Dharmarajan, founder and president of Katha and a Padma Shree award winner who launched Katha Utsav decades ago, highlights the importance of the festival: “Katha Utsav is about celebrating the unique voices of young writers. Every story has the power to connect, inspire and bring about change. By creating this space, we are nurturing a generation of storytellers who will carry forward our rich cultural heritage while shaping a better future.”

Rajesh Soundararajan, Executive Director of Katha, welcomed the 2024 participants with these words: “This festival is an opportunity for children to learn, express themselves and grow. It celebrates storytelling and its ability to build bridges and spark new ideas.”

Important dates and deadlines:

Deadline for Phase 1: September 12, 2024, at www.kathautsav.org

How to register:

Both individual students and schools can register at www.kathautsav.org.

Media contact:

Gowri Palachandran

Program Director – Katha Utsav 2024

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +91 88007 99353

Website: www.katha.org

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