Sakshi Singh's Blog
February 2, 2020
Stories Of Surat: School Visits With Scholastic India for Jalebi Jingles!
What a wonderful two days in Surat! Watch my stories of Surat The weather was pleasant and I was back to a small town, which I absolutely love doing considering I am originally from Agra and while Mumbai keeps you busy with opportunities it is the warmth and joy and the hospitality of a small town that really wins my heart over and Surat did that in so many ways. I was overwhelmed with the simplicity of the town, the cleanliness the people who were helpful at every step on the street or at the market it was like another home. Needless to say, I have developed a fondness towards the city.
I visited three schools i.e. Fountain Head School and Tapti Valley and Hills High School and both were extremely interesting experiences with their reading culture and creative students who kept me on their toes with their curiosity and eagerness. See some videos here.
I hope you have had a wonderful start to the New Year. Tell me your stories, post me a comment. I would love to hear from you!
Love,
Sakshi
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November 29, 2019
The Magical Children Of Magarpatta Public School: Jalebis, Jingles & Joy!
The delightful children of Magarpatta Public School were my new friends yesterday as I visited them to read Jalebi Jingles with Scholastic India.
We exchanged stories, made new connections and decided to keep in touch too! Two delightful little girls came up with this heartwarming surprise. One of the most memorable things that happened at the school was when one of the teachers, Ms. Nirmala and I discovered our “Agra” connection and then the stories just flowed and we got the children on board too. I am loving my whirlwind trips to Pune and if you are enjoying the pictures and notes too, please leave a comment or subscribe to the youtube channel for more fun!
Thank you for being part of my world of words and wonder.
Love,
Sakshi
August 29, 2019
Postcards from Pune
I recently returned from a quick trip to Pune. I have fond memories of Pune as I once wanted to study there and go to college but I couldn’t get in and now this time I was back to visit beautiful schools to read Jalebi Jingles with Scholastic India. My day began with my visit to The Orchid School, Pune, read the report here.
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Librarian Sujata Gawde’s enthusiasm was contagious and it was a delightful start to my long day ahead. The children were curious as usual and one of them even called me “Matilda”. Was I pleased? You can only guess 
August 19, 2019
Songs, Stories & Simple Things…
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Back to blogging. I am delighted to be here! I know it has been a while but I am wearing a huge smile on my face as I write this as I have so much to tell you. First things first, I quit social media recently (not an easy decision but definitely a good one looking back) and it has given me so much peace, time and satisfaction to say the least. I have more time to myself, more time to give and more joy doing the things I want to do(less anxiety). Infact, just a few days ago I attended the beautiful We Concert 19 which I was invited to by my student Yuv Ghia, a talented drummer.
It was indeed inspirational to be amongst so much talent as so many students from different schools across Mumbai performed on stage. I truly come alive watching a stage performance and yesterday was one such occasion and I definitely want to attend more of live performances be it music or theater.
Another thing that I enjoy doing more than being infront of a screen is being infront of a school and travelling ofcourse and with my sweet Jalebi Jingles am getting to go to Pune! I am off to Pune in the coming week to do school author visits with Scholastic India for my book Jalebi Jingles and if you have recommendations for me for things to do and see in Pune, do let me know!
June 29, 2019
“I Think This Workshop Is Like Therapy” – Words For Your Wellness – Session 3
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“It was really “uplifting”. “The workshop flow was excellent.” “Everyone’s writing was so authentic.”
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I can’t believe we are already a few sessions down for the Words For Your Wellness workshop that I have been conducting at the Nehru Center with the support and encouragement of one of the most dynamic librarians I know – Mrs. Arati Desai.
This session was particularly special as some of our regular participants brought in their mothers too! We had over 10 participants and we decided to make an exception as we were all like minded individuals in there for a cause. We all would like others to participate in the sharing and healing process and this was a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to engage together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqMnxsN5xcs
Our theme for the session was “letting go” – something all of us can relate to at different stages of our life be it a relationship, career, moving homes amongst other things. We had participants sharing their work in form of poems or short write-ups on what it meant for them to let go. The session was once again conducted with a spirit of kindness, sensitivity and non judgement to provide a safe haven for everyone to share their feelings and experiences.
We hope you can join us for the next one on 13th! To register email me on sakshissong@gmail.com or write to arati.desai@nehru-centre.org
For offers on books and details on up coming workshops, do register and visit my website
June 13, 2019
Tie! Untie! Squeak! Tauji Ki Chuhiya Squeaks At Kahani Tree
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It was a special Saturday for me at Kahani Tree on the 8th of June when I read from my book Tauji Ki Chuhiya for the very first time!
I remember this time I decided I will prepare a little bit and I won’t be nervous and anxious and all jittery like I always get before
an author visit. I have been dealing with a little anxiety of my own but it has definitely gotten better with reading, meditating and
affirmations. A few other things help too like arriving early so I did and fortunately my husband brought all the handkerchiefs I needed
to make those squeaky little chuhiyas that would move about up and down Tauji’s arm. Aakash at Kahani Tree and I started watching videos
on youtube on how to make the chuhiya come alive. And we made a few and kept them ready!
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Kids started trickling in one by one, mostly accompanied by their parents, jumpy 4 year olds, squeaky five year olds and the chuhiya in
the book was already feeling in good company. We decided to start around 11 and before you knew it was nearly a full house with mummies
and babies trying to make their own little rat out of the handkerchief. In hindsight boy I am glad we got them – as the amount of fun
kids had playing and imagining the make believe rat was worth seeing (video). I read a little bit of the book this time parts that I thought
they would enjoy instead of reading every word. Since the age group was younger I had to take into consideration their attention span,
also ensure they understood every word. I realized the word “Tauji” was a relatively new word for most of them as it is “uncle” used
mostly in then north. But everyone loved saying “chuhiya” out aloud. By the way did you see little Yug Bhatia’s review on the book?
One of my favourite things about the event was my little niece nearly one who surprised us all with her squeaks and smiles at the event.
Children were as keen to discover her, her likes and dislikes as they were the book! Look! One of the kids actually came and thanked me
saying ” Thank you for introducing me to the baby ”
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And there were other highlights like the child who went ahead to build a castle for the nana and nani of the chuhiya with is vivid imagination
and the other child who wanted to keep hiding the chuhiya in his shoulder, inside his tummy and everywhere and he kept us guessing! It was
a warm Saturday noon where both children and adults discovered stories, books and spent time in one of the most precious reading places we have in the city.
Some very passionate parents brought in their kids from far like Birsen Redzheb and Taniya Thomas Fernandes who were curious, eager and enriched the workshop with their ideas and suggestions. Raakhee Magan, a mother committed to inculcating the love for language in her children also travelled from the suburbs with Sana and Rajveer her beautiful children and also my students. So basically, loads of friends that day for me, some new, some familiar!
June 11, 2019
Thank you! Yes, to you :)
Thank you!
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I am blogging after months or a year maybe (perhaps longer) and boy am glad am back to this. This was how it all started back in the day in June 2009 when I discovered Girlyhour (this is what is left of it on the world wide web) a popular girly blog and am back to doing something similar.
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Firstly, I really must thank you for loving my words and supporting me right through my blog, my books Rat-a-tat, Jalebi Jingles, IF I
Could Teach My Teacher and now the latest story book for kids Tauji Ki Chuhiya. Without your constant love and support I wouldn’t have
been able to return to my words. You are the reason I am happier writing, dear reader.
I am on a social media sabbatical, well it has only started and may extend for longer than I anticipated. I decided to take a 11 day social media sabbatical on 11thJune and not make any posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and boy am relieved. I already feel I have a better memory and more space in my life. It is so important especially if you are downsizing your life both physically, emotionally and digitally.
I have a lot of authors and bloggers to thank for ensuring I took this break including Leo Babauta, Courtney Carver amongst many others
who advocate a simpler and minimalistic life that focuses on something that is important to you.
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Today I encourage you to focus on something that is important to you dear reader and spend time with it. Be it a walk in the rain, having your best friend by your side, chatting with your spouse, reading your book or anything that you have been struggling to make time for.
I hope you find time to enjoy and cherish that.
I am busy building my website www.sakshissongs.com. Do visit and tell me what you think. It is my new address online. You may also register
on the contact page to WIN my books and be updated on the recent book readings.
I will be writing and blogging more. SO let’s stay in touch and once again thank you very much!
Love,
Sakshi
February 26, 2019
Ek Nayi Disha Mein Jaana Hai
Do you wonder how it may takes days, weeks and months and you won’t get inspired to write or create something new sitting at a desk or coffee shop waiting to pen down those words? And suddenly it happens when you are away from it all, in a new place, with new people and something touches your heart and warms your soul and it comes from nowhere and all you want to is share and be grateful for the words, for the verse. When I attended the Disha Lit Fest in Kanpur in February, something similar happened. When I met Ms. Vina and Mahendra Sabharwal, such gracious hosts and passionate individuals, I felt immediately at home in Kanpur and I knew that I was going to return with a lot of magic and memories. (Poems I composed at Disha Lit Fest. Listen to I carry a dream in English and the Hindi version Ek Nayi Disha Mein Jaana Hai)
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It was not only the people who were behind the festival but also those who attended it, the children, the teenagers who had their own stories to tell. They had been prepared well by their teachers over months and were aware of all the authors and their books that were part of the festival. It was heartwarming to see their interest in books and all they have to offer. I conducted poetry sessions for younger children along with Writing For Therapy Sessions for teenagers and it is difficult for me to pick which ones I enjoyed the most. I am grateful I could meet all the delightful members of the Disha School Team, each an expert in their own field, and thankful for all their co operation and support so along with me others who had come to do sessions were able to give their best and not worry about a thing.
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And it is so wonderful to see that there is a follow up and the efforts of the teachers and educators is consistent and on long after the festival is over. I received this album from them sharing how they are engaging with poetry on their own. Long live the legacy of NLK Schools and their passion to educate, empower and engage children with the written word.
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September 24, 2018
Gearing Up For Neev 2.0
It is that time of the year again when I get eager to head to Bangalore to attend the Neev literature festival. Sure it is only in its second year but it already feels like home and a big family am looking forward to uniting with.
I remember last year when I visited for the very first festival organized last year – the Bangalore chill, the filter coffee, the warm hospitality and the wonderful oh so wonderful children – not to forget the books and the book store – Light Room run by Aashti Mudnani that was looking after them so they could read and explore and learn and wonder – a skill to develop for a lifetime – all of this rolled into one enriched the atmosphere with ideas, inspiration and creativity.
From the founder of the school – Kavita Gupta to the teachers and staff were also eager, interested and involved in every aspect of the festival that it had to become a success. Rohini, their Spanish teacher’s passion for Spanish shows in her commitment. She even created this video using the Spanish copy of Jalebi Jingles (my second book of poems for children)…You can get it here.
Not only did I return making new friends and acquaintances but also came back with a few stories. Recently when I had a summer creative workshop at the CCI Club Of India – one of the children I had seen at Neev last year happened to visit the club and recognized my face on the poster and insisted that he wanted to do the session with his sister. His mother called me to tell me just this. Needless to say I was delighted and touched.
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And this time around as I travel with my 3rd book – If I Could Teach My Teacher
I know Bangalore something beautiful lined up for me, something am looking forward to. So come and join this wondrous journey of words with me for the best is yet to be!
September 10, 2018
Picture Perfect Poems
Picture. Perfect. Poems. Just like the Saturday of 8th September when I had recovered from a viral flu (boy I felt helpless and crippled for over a week and almost rescheduled the poetry event at CSMVS) I am better now and I have been itching to blog and share all the things that have happened recently. September, the beginning has been a cleansing process for me in many ways. It felt like I fell ill to release some energy and toxins perhaps people too and I feel lighter and better and again the past couple of days have had conflict and energy exchange and some of it toxic but I know I am moving, am moving forward and as long as I have the world of words and children surrounding me – I am in good hands. Right?
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As part of the workshop I had to let children enjoy and experience the new exhibition and then choose and object from it and use it to inspire verse. I feel poetry can be easy and effortless and yet creative and complicated but with children they have a way of simplifying it all and they did. Not all the children were able to complete their verse or give it form but a lot of them started the process and reflected and revised and we had a few drafts and that to me was success! It was creativity at play.
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CSMVS has also recently started their children’s museum which means more children, more creativity and more joy! And I can’t wait to explore new worlds of wonder with children. I hope to see you there, with the child in you.
[image error]Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya presents
An Exotic Encounter – An exhibition on the Non-Indian Antiquities from the Sir Ratan Tata Art Collection
