Gharo Ghari
Picture Book, 2020-21
Gharo Ghari, is a Picture book done as part of Thesis project 2021, in Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology and under the guidance of Ms. Vishakha Chanchani. "Can I see me, in the story?" A question that led to various enquiries into the visual culture, picture books' influence from the west, inclusivity, diversity, authentic & ethical representation and more.
Books are a perfect way to break barriers. More diversity the children see, more they’ll know about others, and easier it will be
to accept the differences in fellow human beings.
- Canato Jimo
AIM
INTENT
VISION
To inculcate intercultural empathy,
the more details they see, the more
they understand the others.
​
To put forth an outcome which is authentic and does justice to the cultural aspects being explored and
at the same time brings out unique aspects of defining culture, identity and celebrating differences.
To re-imagine the portrayal of culture, identity and the idea of what we call home, by taking a multi sensory
approach, using contemporary
visuals of lived experiences.
​
To engage children in the theme
of culture and differences by immersing them in a detailed visual experience that are limited in the school textbooks.
For every child to be able to see themselves in the story by ensuring conscious and diverse representation.
​
Practice inclusivity in terms of cultural, behavioural, architectural differences in order to create a sense of involvement
​
Slurp Stories
PROJECT BRIEF
The project Brief offered by Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology under the guidance of Ms Vishakha Chanchani aims to reimagine the picture storybook as an intrinsic part of educational practices, as visual literacy, as theatre and performance. It also introduces and raises questions like, children’s needs and who is to decide, define them? How do visual cultures shape and influence them, create literacy that
goes beyond the set and regulated standards?
TARGET AUDIENCE
Children between the age of 6 -11. According to
Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development, children between this age group start indulging into the social world and social relations. Children begin to assert their power and control over the world through directing play and other social interaction. During adolescence, children explore their independence and develop a sense of self.
CONTEXT
Gharo Ghari, which literally translates to “From house to house”, gives a microscopic view into various characters and their homes belonging to a specific cultural context of Mulund, Mumbai. It’s a contemporary take as it depicts one’s cultural identity and background through lived experiences, home spaces, their respective possessions, multisensory aspects and objects around them.
Priya Kurian, in The Hindu article suggests that, “Folk tales may still hold sway, but lived experiences are slowly entering children’s narratives. Jimo Snip is one of them” Jimo Snip also recognises that there are many stories that celebrate the Nagaland culture, however, most of them are retelling of folktales, there is a huge gap when it comes to contemporary stories. He also believes that books are the perfect way to break barriers and says, “ I really believe that there is more that unites us than divides us. The more diversity that children see in our books, the more they will know about others, and the easier it would be to accept differences in fellow human beings. Books can open up numerous conversations that can bring us all closer.”
FINAL SPREADS
Following are a few spreads from the book.
​
PROCESS
Character Development
Inspired by real life characters
​
​
Visualisation & Storyboarding
Mulund, the suburb of Mumbai, and the people residing, have unique aspects which may be different from the representation of Mumbai as seen in media, picture books, books and TV.
Visualising the script using quick storyboard method on an A3 cartridge. These boards were then refined into making a dummy book, a prototype which helped organise the text and pictures to determine the flow, rhythm of the book and understanding the page turns.
​
​
Using colour palettes on the storyboards to ​decide the overall look and feel of each spread.
Final Palette: A warm palette for the indoor settings and fresh greens and greys for the outdoor settings.
​
Having stayed in the locality of Mulund and in the same society for more than 20 years, it almost felt necessary to bring out some simple observations of the place through detailed pictures and words, and therefore nurture the unique way of life in
a housing society.
​
​
​
Research & Development
Theme Explorations
Education
Stereotypes
(Depiction of Children,
culture, community etc
in Picture Book)
​
Play and Childhood
Cultural Contexts
​
Visual Culture
​
Master Classes
​
​
Studying Russian Literature
​
How is culture being represented visually in the market
​
PAGES FROM THE JOURNAL
BOOKS THAT INSPIRED
PEOPLE AND SPACES THAT INSPIRED
MAPPING RESEARCH
It was observed that a lot of
understanding culture, differences and diversities came from personal lived experiences, childhood memories, and home spaces, passed on stories etc. The city of residence, Mumbai, was a major part of this map.
​
The city of residence, Mumbai,
was a major part of this map. A city as diverse as its name, Mumbai, Bambai, Bombay, has people from diverse backgrounds coming together, sharing cultures, differences, stories, languages and more. And as they engage in this rich exchange, It is rather fascinating how they keep their own identities intact.
​
VISUAL MOODBOARD AND SKETCHING
