We were very fortunate to have Vandana Bist, as one of the Mentors for the North Regional Round of the KATHA Utsav National Writers’ Regional Workshop, which was held on 29 and 30 November at Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram.
Vandana is an author and illustrator who leads workshops for children through AkkaBakka, combining art, storytelling and theatre. She is a recipient of the Noma Concours and the Chitra Katha Award. She has authored 2 books and illustrated 3 books published by KATHA.
Despite an injury to her knee which made walking a struggle, Vandana was at the KATHA Utsav Story Shop signing copies of ‘The Princess with the Longest Hair’, a KATHA book that was illustrated by her. Here is the story of how the book came to life, and some unique insights into her creative process.
The journey began when Vandana created two black-and-white illustrations for Target, a children’s magazine. These drawings later led to six more illustrations, which Vandana submitted to a competition in Japan. Her work won her the Noma Concours prize, and this marked the beginning of something much bigger.
In 1988, Geeta Dharmarajan, the founder of KATHA, suggested that Vandana turn the story into a book. She started illustrating the book well before she got married and completed it after her daughter was born, over an 18-year period. The book became a reflection of her growth, both as an artist and as a person, over nearly two decades!
One of the most fascinating aspects of Vandana’s work in the book is her use of the Rapidograph pen to illustrate the princess’ hair. It is an artist’s tool that has almost fallen out of use today. The Rapidograph has a fine, syringe-like nib designed for precise and detailed work. It has to be held at a 90-degree angle to the paper, requiring steady hands and patience, but it allows for unparalleled detail. Vandana spoke about how mastering this pen was both a challenge and a joy. Her use of the Rapidograph and brushes gives her art a distinct, hand-crafted quality.
Even now, when most illustrators have switched to digital tools, Vandana still chooses to illustrate by hand, preferring traditional techniques to digital methods. She believes that the act of drawing by hand brings a connection and depth to her work that technology cannot replicate. Her illustrations in ‘The Princess with the Longest Hair’ are a testament to this philosophy, each picture rich with intricate and stunning detail. She narrated how her daughter was so drawn to the illustrations that she wanted a dress exactly like the princess had, for her wedding!
Illustrations bring stories to life, helping children visualize characters and develop an understanding of emotions. By creating a gateway into the world of a story, illustrations captivate attention, enhance comprehension, and make stories more memorable.
At the center of KATHA’s unique StoryPedagogy methodology that uses storytelling as a tool for learning, are beautiful illustrations. Collaborating with award-winning illustrators, we craft rich and vibrant images that transform text into magical worlds.
To get your copy of ‘The Princess with the Longest Hair’ and other wonderful books, please visit https://books.katha.org/