Fairy Tales the years become one of the most talked about talent hunts in the country and around the globe. Why were the Katha Chitrakala Awards initiated? GD: Creating books for children is the most unpretentious act that one can ever do. The child does not respond to the name of the creator but to the creation. There is no dearth of talent in this country; what is important is to identify the talent, applaud and to make this a more rewarding vocation. When were the awards initiated? What kind of response do they get? GD: The Katha Chitrakala Award is a unique, first of its kind initiative to bring the very best of illustrators to Indian children. Katha instituted the Award in 1998. The Awards recognize and honor fresh talent in children’s illustrations and storytelling. In 2005, the Chitrakala contest went international. Last year Chitrakala received an overwhelming response from across the globe with hundreds of entries coming in from as many as eight countries, not to mention from all corners of India. The award recognizes work of exceptional merit and is given to imagesmiths whose works showcase creativity of a rare caliber and an inclusive worldview. How are the winners chosen? GD: The selection procedure is eclectic and rigorous. The preliminary short listing of entries by the Katha editorial and design team is followed by an international jury of eminent artists and illustrators choosing pre-finalists and finalists. How do the winners benefit? GD: The Awards honor the illustrators with a citation, a cash award, and with a publication. Which books came out of Chitrakala last year? GD: Rajiv Eipe, a practicing animation film designer from Mumbai, won the Grand Prize for his illustrations for the story Dinosaur-Long-As127-Kids; and the writer-illustrator team of Diego Castellanos and Paula Bossio from USA and Durga Bai, a Gond artist from Madhya Pradesh were adjudged Runners Up for their stories Ball Heaven and Mai and her friends respectively. All the three books are out in the market now and have been earning some wonderful reviews. Some last words on creating books for children. GD: Creating books for children involves retaining the ability to romp around with them, in spirit at least, if not physically. As Sukumar Ray writes in his preface to Abol Tabol, “This book was conceived in the spirit of whimsy. It is not meant for those who do not enjoy that spirit�. www.katha.org
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