Stories from the Thakumar Jhuli came alive at a storytelling session by Dolly Basu for children with hearing problems.
The engaging tales of Dukhi Rajkumar and Rajputra O Mantriputra and the powerful narration by Basu kept the children captivated, as they eagerly waited for one story after the other. Basu, using her experience of working with children for the past 20 years, also sensitised them about personal hygiene.
Dolly Basu in action in front of an eager audience.
The interactive session evoked curiosity in the children. Voice modulation, expressions and dialogue delivery elevated the storytelling session to an audio-visual performance. She talked about deforestation, preserving wildlife, good habits and honesty, imparting moral values to the eager listeners. Pausing to ask them about their favourite food, if they know about ‘panta bhaat’ made the children even more excited. She urged the parents, who were also in the audience and reliving their childhood through the Thakumar Jhuli reading, to inform the children more about wildlife.
When asked about managing to keep the children sitting still and involved for more than two hours and striking a connection with them, Basu said to My Kolkata: “I feel nice of course. My experience says this kind of connection comes from the feeling and confidence to reach out.”
Dolly Basu enacting from ‘Thakumar Jhuli’.
The event was the initiative of CC Saha Ltd, a leading name in hearing solutions, and was held at the company’s office on Prince Anwar Shah Road. The 90-year-old brand plans to host more such events to nurture creativity and imagination among children undergoing treatment.
“We believe in the power of storytelling to transcend barriers and connect individuals from all walks of life. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where hearing-impaired children can unleash their creativity and develop essential communication skills,” shared Vikram Saha, the director of CC Saha Ltd. about the mission and vision of the session.
Vikram Saha with his wife Smita
The company was founded by Vikram Saha’s grandfather, CC Saha. Now, the third generation is carrying forward the legacy. The company that started with providing hearing aids and as a pioneer in the eastern region, today offers a wide gamut of services under the domain of hearing — from cochlear implants and speech therapies to audiological testing and more.
Basu’s joyful narration and interactive method kept the children interested.
