Using Visual Narratives to Bring Unsung Grassroots Heroes to Light.
Using Visual Narratives to Bring Unsung Grassroots Heroes to Light.
Using Visual Narratives to Bring Unsung Grassroots Heroes to Light.
This research investigates the transformative role of visual storytelling in uncovering the stories of unsung heroes. By turning complex narratives into engaging visuals, it highlights the power of imagery in making grassroots contributions more accessible, especially to younger audiences. The children’s picture book Roots, based on Tulsi Gowda, an Indian environmentalist, serves as a case study, illustrating how visuals can amplify the impact of environmental movements, turning forgotten contributions into compelling and universally relatable stories.
This research investigates the transformative role of visual storytelling in uncovering the stories of unsung heroes. By turning complex narratives into engaging visuals, it highlights the power of imagery in making grassroots contributions more accessible, especially to younger audiences. The children’s picture book Roots, based on Tulsi Gowda, an Indian environmentalist, serves as a case study, illustrating how visuals can amplify the impact of environmental movements, turning forgotten contributions into compelling and universally relatable stories.
This research investigates the transformative role of visual storytelling in uncovering the stories of unsung heroes. By turning complex narratives into engaging visuals, it highlights the power of imagery in making grassroots contributions more accessible, especially to younger audiences. The children’s picture book Roots, based on Tulsi Gowda, an Indian environmentalist, serves as a case study, illustrating how visuals can amplify the impact of environmental movements, turning forgotten contributions into compelling and universally relatable stories.
Roots of Change
Roots of Change
Roots of Change
Role: Researcher, Writer & Illustrator
Role: Researcher, Writer & Illustrator
Role: Researcher, Writer & Illustrator
Organisation: IIT Hyderabad (Thesis)
Organisation: IIT Hyderabad (Thesis)
Organisation: IIT Hyderabad (Thesis)
Key Areas of Focus: Ethnographic Research, Secondary and Primary Research, Creative Writing, Character Design & Visual Development.
Key Areas of Focus:
Ethnographic Research, Storytelling, Character Design & Visual Development.
Key Areas of Focus: Ethnographic Research, Secondary and Primary Research, Creative Writing, Character Design & Visual Development.
A Visit to Honnalli Village
A Visit to Honnalli Village
A Visit to Honnalli Village
The biggest challenge wasn’t merely spending time with Tulsi Gowda but actually finding her. After exhausting all online research, I tracked her last known connection to the Karnataka Forest Department, convincing them to guide me to her village, Honnalli, near Gokarna. When we arrived, to our surprise no one knew about Tulsi Gowda who had contributed so much to environmental conservation and won the Padma Shri.
After hours of navigating language barriers and looking for directions, we finally found her. There she was, tending to her plants—quietly, naturally, as if one with the earth.
The biggest challenge wasn’t merely spending time with Tulsi Gowda but actually finding her. After exhausting all online research, I tracked her last known connection to the Karnataka Forest Department, convincing them to guide me to her village, Honnalli, near Gokarna. When we arrived, to our surprise no one knew about Tulsi Gowda who had contributed so much to environmental conservation and won the Padma Shri.
After hours of navigating language barriers and looking for directions, we finally found her. There she was, tending to her plants—quietly, naturally, as if one with the earth.
In a world where we often think of the environment as something separate from ourselves, Tulsi’s words remind us that our survival is intricately linked to nature. During my time with Tulsi Gowda, she shared with me a simple yet profound truth that has become the heart of this project:
In a world where we often think of the environment as something separate from ourselves, Tulsi’s words remind us that our survival is intricately linked to nature. During my time with Tulsi Gowda, she shared with me a simple yet profound truth that has become the heart of this project:
In a world where we often think of the environment as something separate from ourselves, Tulsi’s words remind us that our survival is intricately linked to nature. During my time with Tulsi Gowda, she shared with me a simple yet profound truth that has become the heart of this project:
"Trees are our home. If there are no trees, no crops, the weather will be worse, the sun will be hotter and there will be no rain. What will we do without rain? We should teach our children about the wild and how essential it is for us to survive."
"Trees are our home. If there are no trees, no crops, the weather will be worse, the sun will be hotter and there will be no rain. What will we do without rain? We should teach our children about the wild and how essential it is for us to survive."
In the struggle against modernisation, the older women of the tribe are leading by maintaining their unique way of saree draping and wearing beads around their neck as a symbol of their tribe’s unique representation.
In the struggle against modernisation, the older women of the tribe are leading by maintaining their unique way of saree draping and wearing beads around their neck as a symbol of their tribe’s unique representation.
In the struggle against modernisation, the older women of the tribe are leading by maintaining their unique way of saree draping and wearing beads around their neck as a symbol of their tribe’s unique representation.
“The beads around the neck are our fashion. But younger people of the tribe are forgetting this and moving to the fashion of the outside world."
“The beads around the neck are our fashion. But younger people of the tribe are forgetting this and moving to the fashion of the outside world."
Unfortunately, these women are the last generation to carry out these cultural traditions. After facing discrimination in several aspects of their lives, the younger generations moved on with the modern world to blend in with the crowd and hide their indigenous identities to protect them from being seen as outsiders.
Unfortunately, these women are the last generation to carry out these cultural traditions. After facing discrimination in several aspects of their lives, the younger generations moved on with the modern world to blend in with the crowd and hide their indigenous identities to protect them from being seen as outsiders.
Unfortunately, these women are the last generation to carry out these cultural traditions. After facing discrimination in several aspects of their lives, the younger generations moved on with the modern world to blend in with the crowd and hide their indigenous identities to protect them from being seen as outsiders.
Meeting her in person shifted my perspective. Initially, I aimed to tell the story of an “unsung hero,” but I realised this was my bias. Tulsi wasn’t focused on being a leader or someone whose recognised for her contributions; for her, environmental care is as essential as breathing. This realisation changed the direction of the project: Roots needed to give young readers the seed of thought, encouraging them to understand the environment’s importance in simple ways they could relate to.
Meeting her in person shifted my perspective. Initially, I aimed to tell the story of an “unsung hero,” but I realised this was my bias. Tulsi wasn’t focused on being a leader or someone whose recognised for her contributions; for her, environmental care is as essential as breathing. This realisation changed the direction of the project: Roots needed to give young readers the seed of thought, encouraging them to understand the environment’s importance in simple ways they could relate to.
Tools Used:
Tools Used:
Tools Used:
Book Blurb:
Tulsi lives on one side of the forest where the trees have stopped growing, and the weather has worsened. The sun has become too hot, there is no rain and too strong winds. The doomed Claw threatens them all. The Last time the Claw arrived, the trees on the other side vanished into dust. All that is left is the concrete walls and smoke-emitting monsters. Will the Claw come again? What do you think Tulsi will do?
Book Blurb:
Tulsi lives on one side of the forest where the trees have stopped growing, and the weather has worsened. The sun has become too hot, there is no rain and too strong winds. The doomed Claw threatens them all. The Last time the Claw arrived, the trees on the other side vanished into dust. All that is left is the concrete walls and smoke-emitting monsters. Will the Claw come again? What do you think Tulsi will do?
Book Cover Explorations
Book Cover Explorations
Book Cover Explorations
Storyboarding Pages(1-40)
Character Design
Character Design
Character Design
Some Essential Spreads
Some Essential Spreads
Some Essential Spreads
One of the most exciting moments for the kids is when they get to sign their names on the environmental pledge at the end of the book. It’s a small act, but it makes them feel responsible and engaged. I believe it's crucial to encourage these habits early, helping them revisit and nurture their commitment to nature over time.
These sessions also offer a chance to weave in stories about Tulsi Gowda’s life and her cultural background, which helps the children connect more deeply with her and the message. This storytelling sparks their curiosity and gives them a better understanding of how their actions can contribute to environmental conservation.
This journey taught me that a project like Roots is not just about telling a story—it’s about planting a seed of thought and letting it grow in the minds of the next generation.
One of the most exciting moments for the kids is when they get to sign their names on the environmental pledge at the end of the book. It’s a small act, but it makes them feel responsible and engaged. I believe it's crucial to encourage these habits early, helping them revisit and nurture their commitment to nature over time. These sessions also offer a chance to weave in stories about Tulsi Gowda’s life and her cultural background, which helps the children connect more deeply with her and the message. This storytelling sparks their curiosity and gives them a better understanding of how their actions can contribute to environmental conservation. This journey taught me that a project like Roots is not just about telling a story—it’s about planting a seed of thought and letting it grow in the minds of the next generation.
Insights from the Book Reading Sessions
Insights from the Book Reading Sessions
Insights from the Book Reading Sessions
Kids express curiosity about the beaded necklaces Tulsi wears, which leads to conversations about culture and belonging in her Halakki tribe.
Tulsi’s life close to nature feels like an adventure to them, making kids rethink "being outside" as more than just playtime but as a way to connect with the world around them.
When asked how they’ll remember the pledge, kids suggest keeping it on the fridge or a "special place," reflecting how rituals can reinforce new habits.
They are most drawn to colorful, action-heavy pages, teaching that visuals can communicate lessons even before words.
"Why doesn’t everyone listen to trees?" they wonder, as Tulsi’s sensitivity to nature gets them thinking about how adults might be missing the point.
Kids naturally mimic the main character's actions, reinforcing the importance of a relatable and inspiring figure in environmental conservation stories.
They show genuine surprise at Tulsi’s life outdoors, learning that caring for the environment can be an everyday action, not just a "big job."
Eager to leave their mark, children sign the pledge with pride, feeling like "tree protectors" in the making.
Their excitement often builds as they realize they can help the environment, revealing the joy kids find in simple, actionable ways to make a difference.
To know about book reading sessions in schools.
To know about book reading sessions in schools.
To know about book reading sessions in schools.
© Chirpydoodler 2024
© Chirpydoodler 2024
© Chirpydoodler 2024