Award winning author Devika Rangachari holds workshop for Dikshantites

Zirakpur, August 29, 2018: A two day creative writing workshop under the programme, 'Launching Young Writers', was organised at Dikshant International School here. The mentor for these two days was the award winning author, Ms. Devika Rangachari. The workshop focused on writing historical fiction. Dr Devika Rangachari has won several awards for her children’s writing. Her book, Growing Up (Children’s Book Trust, 2000) was on the Honour List of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in 2002. "This workshop was a part of the ‘Launching Young Writers’ programme, which is aimed at getting the work of students published in the form of a book. 12 creative workshops have been spread over the year covering different genres of writing. The learning's from these workshops will be used by students to write their own stories and these will be published, i am sure it will boost the confidence of the young writers & who knows a prolific young writer gets found after the exercise." said Mitul Dikshit, Chairman, Dikshant International School. The workshop aimed at making the participants understand the aspects involved in the writing of good historical fiction and on the importance of accuracy and readability. At the same time, focus was laid on the need to highlight the presence of women in the historical past. Students were taught the essential prerequisites for writing and adding history to the context of creativity. The narrative structure required to frame a historical fiction was also explained. Further, the children were told that to begin with the essentials involved in structure of writing a historical fiction with an appropriate beginning, middle and an end. "Children were introduced to- how to raise an issue or a conflict into the text and weave the story placing the facts and figure correctly. The students were asked to pen stories on any woman in history that they choose to write about. Students took part energetically all through the session. They got the chance to uncover the details and putting it up strongly as writing." Said Devika Rangachari. The creative writing workshop introduced the students to significance of women in the society back then and even now and the change in narrative structure. It is noteworthy that Devika's other books include Harsha Vardhana, The Merry Mischief of Gopal Bhand, The Wit of Tenali Raman, When Amma Went Away and Stories from Rajatarangini—Tales of Kashmir . Devika helps to run the Children’s Book Forum at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. She is currently engaged in post-doctoral research in Indian history.