The 4-day exhibition, curated by award-winning author and publisher Richa Jha, and organised as part of the school’s annual Children’s Literature Festival, features around 70 artworks by more than 50 artists across 25 Indian publishers
Festival to see children’s authors, storytellers, illustrators and cartoonists from across the country engaging with 1,300-odd Grade I to XII students of the school, spotlighting illustration and visual storytelling
Exhibition open for limited hours each of the four days (till May 8) to visitors, both children and adults, from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
‘Becoming’, an engaging four-day exhibition that traces over 130 years of illustrations in children’s books in India will open in the basement library of St. Kabir Public School, Sector 26, Chandigarh on Tuesday (05.05.2026) as part of the school’s annual Children’s Literature Fest.
Open to visitors, both children and adults, during limited hours (from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.) each of the four days till May 8, the exhibition, curated by Richa Jha, an award-winning author and publisher, is travelling beyond Delhi for the first time since its debut in 2025. A pop-up book shop will also be a centre of attraction at the fest.
Separate invites have also been sent out by the school management to other schools for their students to benefit from the landmark exhibition, which in the words of Richa showcases around 70 artworks by more than 50 artists across 25 Indian publishers, offering a rare and comprehensive glimpse into the evolution of children’s book art in the country.
The festival will see children’s authors, storytellers, illustrators and cartoonists keeping 1,300-odd Grade I to XII students of the school engaged in a vibrant celebration of stories, art, and imagination.
The Children’s Lit Fest was announced in an Interaction with media persons by Preeti Bakshi, Director, St Kabir Public School; Sapna Katoch, Principal, St Kabir Public School; Deeptha Vivekanand, Reading & Storytelling Lead, St Kabir Public School; Richa Jha, Curator (exhibition ‘Becoming’); author-illustrator Kripa; writer-illustrator Greystroke, and cartoonist & illustrator Rohan Chakravarty.
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Vidya Mani and Muthamma Devaya, from Funky Rainbow, an independent bookshop and consultancy, also interacted with the media, focussing on Indian children’s literature.
Said school Director Preeti Bakshi about the initiative, “At St. Kabir, we believe education must continuously expand how children see and interpret the world. By placing art and illustration at the centre of our literature festival, we are encouraging students to engage with stories not just as readers, but as observers, thinkers, and creators.”
Principal Sapna Katoch added, “We have decided to give all literature enthusiasts of Chandigarh tricity a chance to witness the exhibition. ‘Becoming’ will be open to the public on all days of the festival from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested can schedule a visit, by contacting the school administration.”
On the theme of this year’s Children’s Literature Festival, Deeptha Vivekanand said, “Centred on the theme ‘Art is a Voice,’ this year’s festival places a strong emphasis on illustration and visual storytelling, highlighting the often-overlooked role of art in shaping how children read, interpret, and connect with the world around them.”
Sharing further details of the exhibition, curator Richa Jha said, “the exhibition brings together works by pioneering figures such as Abanindranath Tagore, Sukumar Ray, Nandalal Bose, and Satyajit Ray, alongside contemporary illustrators including Atanu Roy, Kripa, Priya Kuriyan, Rajiv Eipe, Ruchi Shah, Shilpa Ranade, Sumanta Dey, and Taposhi Ghoshal. Together, these works reflect the diversity, innovation, and evolving visual language of children’s literature in India,” she added.
‘Becoming’, through the Lit Fest at St Kabir Public School has moved from a gallery setting at the India International Centre, Delhi, where it had debuted, to a school environment. The exhibition marks a shift from passive viewing to active engagement within a learning space.
