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Who tells our stories?

‘Hum Chitra Banate Hain’, a film by Indian director Nina Sabnani, introduced the children to the gorgeous artwork of Sher Singh Bhil, who works with the traditional style of Bhil painting. The film also encouraged a conversation about who is the sutradhar, or the storyteller, of their lives. 

The overwhelming response was – ME! 

The children then imagined their sutradhar selves in myriad forms and drew those, drawing inspiration from the technique of using dots that they saw in the film.

I really like fish. They are cute and also I like their colours, they exist in multiple colours. I saw fish in a river in Afghanistan. I would like to touch them and keep them in my home.

Golden Fish by Sediqa

I really like fish. They are cute and also I like their colours, they exist in multiple colours. I saw fish in a river in Afghanistan. I would like to touch them and keep them in my home.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

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This is the home of my dreams. I saw it in the VIP area of Delhi when I was going somewhere with my father. It is a very beautiful house, and it is strong. My home in Khirkee is not strong, it will break in an earthquake. And when it rains, the street outside is full of mud. It is very difficult to walk there. That's why I drew this house.

Dreamy House by Subhan

This is the home of my dreams. I saw it in the VIP area of Delhi when I was going somewhere with my father. It is a very beautiful house, and it is strong. My home in Khirkee is not strong, it will break in an earthquake. And when it rains, the street outside is full of mud. It is very difficult to walk there. That's why I drew this house.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

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Flowers are the most beautiful creation of God. Their sight is a joy forever. I love the colours, the smell. There is a flower shop that I pass on my way to Shivalik Park where I play football. It has the best flowers!

The Flower of Love by Nawid

Flowers are the most beautiful creation of God. Their sight is a joy forever. I love the colours, the smell. There is a flower shop that I pass on my way to Shivalik Park where I play football. It has the best flowers!

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

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I like birds because whenever I hear their voices it gives me peace. I listen to them whenever I go to a park. There are lots of parks near my house - Satpula, Jamun and Shivalik. I can recognise the crows and the sparrows. And there are some fallen trees in front of my house and I hear the birds on them too.

Sound of Peace by Sarah Kakar

I like birds because whenever I hear their voices it gives me peace. I listen to them whenever I go to a park. There are lots of parks near my house - Satpula, Jamun and Shivalik. I can recognise the crows and the sparrows. And there are some fallen trees in front of my house and I hear the birds on them too.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

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This is me, in my story. I have drawn a beach and this is my brother Faiz, also on the beach. This is the sea, these are hills that contain sand. This is a tropical tree and these are the clouds and the sun. I am the bird here, because some birds are free, while some birds are caged, which is not good. And I can fly and go anywhere in the world and I don't have to pay anything to go for a flight.

An Experience of the Imagination by Daniyal Khan

This is me, in my story. I have drawn a beach and this is my brother Faiz, also on the beach. This is the sea, these are hills that contain sand. This is a tropical tree and these are the clouds and the sun. I am the bird here, because some birds are free, while some birds are caged, which is not good. And I can fly and go anywhere in the world and I don't have to pay anything to go for a flight.

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

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I like the ocean, it is like my dreams. My dreams are pretty like the ocean, I am playing in them. Wandering with my mother, living in a castle. Anything is possible in my dreams Just like that,anything can appear in an ocean - like a mermaid!

Muriel by Sodaba

I like the ocean, it is like my dreams. My dreams are pretty like the ocean, I am playing in them. Wandering with my mother, living in a castle. Anything is possible in my dreams Just like that,anything can appear in an ocean - like a mermaid!

© Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

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