I’m looking forward to bringing more Indian stories alive through visual art! This time, I’m working with miniature sculpture artist Vidya from @maayacrafts All will be revealed early next week! Watch this space for brand new myths and folktales brought to life! 
Look around at the garden, what do you see? As tenants in Goodman Arts Centre, @novaceceliana and I have worked together previously on complicated, sensory and experiential projects that combine nature with stories. These collaborations have been fulfilling and fun to do! We're planning to continue experimenting, designing and developing new experiences based around our creative home, at @goodmanartscentre . Nova has been patiently working hard to regenerate the garden located near Block B. I have had the privilege of watching her hard at work and seeing this garden slowly take shape. Every time I feel like my mind is shutting down, I leave my studio in Block O and walk all the way to this fairytale garden. Sometimes Nova is there, digging or planting or fussing over her plants. Other times, usually in the late evenings, the garden is empty, and I just walk among the leaves, fruits, flowers, grass ... We both know that gardens can calm, heal and also inspire creativity - just like stories can do the same. So, we have collaborated to bring you a special children's workshop, 'The Young Herbalist', as we close this rather strange year. 'The Young Herbalist' is an experiential workshop for a small group of children ages 5-7 years old where they will learn some gardening skills as well as engage in story-based activities. Book now! Slots are limited and participant numbers are kept small for safe distancing: Dates: Fri 11 & Thu 17 Dec Time: 10am - 11.30am Venue: Goodman Community Farm, Goodman Arts Centre Register: @storytellingcentresg @cultivate_c link in bio 📷 @thatzanelee 
Long interview for Object Lessons Space by the meticulous writer @joellaqkiu who interviewed me long distance from London, during lockdown. She carefully put together our conversations, and my rememberings of the past. Photos of plantation homes I grew up in, and some insights into the background and childhood that shaped me as a storyteller. F "Everything about storytelling is intangible. It only becomes tangible when you practice it — which is to say it, to tell it to someone else, to show it and to do something with it. It is an art form that is activated by the community." "We are retelling an emotion, a feeling, an adventure. This is all based on the energy of a set of characters, the energy of the land, the feelings of these animals, people, whoever they are, whatever they are — and we're trying to transfer that energy to the listener." "Am I the one consciously making that choice, or did that story want to be told? Why is it that certain stories want to be told again, and again, and again? I don't get bored of telling it, and the audience doesn't get bored of listening to it either. It’s about going with the flow, allowing things to speak to me, and being intuitive in how I respond. I've always said that if a story wants to be told, it will somehow make itself known." "But these stories are part of the larger Sejarah Melayu, which speaks to Malaysia, parts of Borneo, most of what we know today as Indonesia, and parts of Thailand. I find isolating these stories as Singaporean folktales a little problematic because Singapore, as a nation, is only 55 years old. This Nusantara region is ancient, and these stories are known by seafarers too. By isolating them, we are cutting off our connection to the rest of the region. We need to learn to let go, to ease into these regional boundaries, and to allow seepages in and out, because this can only serve to enrich our understanding." "Oral traditions don’t present things in a clear or neat manner. Storytellers have been known to give their listeners options when it comes to a story’s ending." Interview for ‘Creative Conversations' November issue on 'Listening'. Link in bio. 📷 @bedtimetales_jasbirjohn 
Stories for Solving: Riddle Stories from India Tease your brain through the art of storytelling with riddles wrapped inside Indian folktales. What secrets are concealed within a coin and a stick? If you are good at figuring out clues and solving puzzles, it’s time to put on your thinking cap and enjoy these classic folktales from India, which are riddles wrapped inside stories. Narrated by storyteller Kamini Ramachandran, ‘Stories for Solving’ comprises two videos set to music by Raghavendran Rajasekaran with traditional Indian folk-art illustrations by Kumuda Krovvidi. One Coin Travel to the busy bazaar with the lazy boy and follow his adventures in the marketplace as he tries desperately to find the answer to his father’s question. The Magic Sticks Be part of the village panchayat (council) gathering and find out how the wise man reveals the thief among them. You can also create your own storybooks to retell these riddle tales by printing and colouring the Indian folk art scenes from the video! Watch the videos: link in my bio Presented for Kalaa Utsavam - Indian Festival of Arts by @esplanadesingapore Videos will be available from 20 November to 20 December on Esplanade’s YouTube channel. #KalaaUtsavam #RiddleStories #IndianFolktales 
Storytelling, music, illustrations! We cannot wait for you to listen to our latest collaboration ‘Stories for Solving: Riddle Stories from India’! We’ve been working on two videos for Kalaa Utsavam by @esplanadesingapore featuring Indian folktales presented with original music by @ragha.r and folk art illustrations by @kumudakrovvidi Videos will be available 8pm onwards Fri 20 November on Esplanade’s YouTube channel. Link in my bio. 📷 @thatzanelee