Thumbi Children’s Magazine Launch and Cuckoo Children’s library Inauguration Kinnathadi Sozhaga is a small tribal village at the foothills of the dense forest near Anthiyur. It is the only tribal settlement close to the town, and it has been there since 1800s. The first written record of the village was made in 1910 by a British officer named Monroe.
Kinnathadi Sozhaga tribal school is where Thumbi, a children’s magazine, was launched and we had set up a small Cuckoo Children’s Library, a space for stories, imagination, and learning. We spend ten days in this school, painting its walls with the many butterflies that flutter through these hills. During this time, Thiyaga Shekar, an artist of origami, and Bala, a clay sculptor, shared their crafts with the students.
The inauguration of the library was an event filled with soul and joy, beyond what any of us could have imagined. The space was opened by master artist Chandru, a mentor to many aspiring artists. The gathering was graced by poet Parameshwari, Agni Thangavelu Iyya, Gunasundari Amma, Deepa Sakthi Ganesh, Gokul, Jayabharathi Amma, and many other noble hearts from across Tamil Nadu.
Among them was Janarthanan, a mouth-painting artist who journeyed all the way from Chennai. His presence was a gift to the children, who saw in him a living example of courage and creativity. The performance of Sea Monster, a play by Velu Saravanan, filled the air with awe. We plan to continue this journey. For the next one year, we will be conducting two creative sessions every month for the children of this school.
We hold deep gratitude in our hearts for Anburaj Anna and Revathi Akka, and for countless others whose names rise and fall like waves in our memory. From places near and far. Our thanks to Mohan, for capturing moments that words could never hold. The love shown to the children will always remain in their hearts. May the laughter and claps of these children reach the countless hearts that made this possible, as a blessing from the hills.
