This episode features a collection of poems written by middle school children that explores what makes them Indian. The poems encourage us to think about nationality and belonging, and how these are intertwined with everyday experiences. Can there be a sense of belonging that is ever expansive, that grows and swells to embrace more and more, that does not exclude but always includes? The episode features a response to the poems by poet, writer and editor, Sushil Shukla.
About the GuestSushil Shukla is a writer and a poet, and heads the publishing house Ektara that brings out children’s books and magazines. He is the editor of the Hindi children’s magazines, Pluto and Cycle. Some of his award-winning books include:
Bhai Tu Aisi Kavita Kyun Karta Hai
Ek Batey Baarah
Feriwale
Tiffin Dost
Yeh Saara Ujala Suraj Ka
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hum-hindustani.inCREDITS The Hum Hindustani Poetry Podcast is a production of The Magic Key Centre for the Arts and Childhood.
Conceived, Written, and Hosted bySamina Mishra
Poems read byAanvi, Arudra, Danyal, Haniya, Ishanvi, Labina, Lakshmi, Kashvi, Kyra, Rohan, Ronish, Samaa, Sarah, Sediqa, Ulfa
Children reading the poems mentored by Anannya Tripathyi
Studio recordingsAmartya Ghosh, Quarter Note Studios
Music Shireen Ghosh
Vocals Ishaan Chintamani
ArtworkAlia Sinha
Additional Research Rhea Kuthoore
Co-WriterS Gautham
Hindi TranslationTazeen Ali
Voice for Sushil Shukla's para dub Neel Sengupta
Produced by Vaaka Media
AcknowledgementsAnannya Tripathyi
Gaurav Chintamani
Priya Mathews
Shikha Sen
Simurgh Centre
TESF India
All the children who participated in the Hum Hindustani workshops and wrote the poems
Support for this podcast comes from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.
The Hum Hindustani research project is part of TESF India.