Voices of Childhood: A Study of Representation of Children in Indian Literature with Special Reference to the Works of Deepa Agarwal https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684215

Voices of Childhood: A Study of Representation of Children in Indian Literature with Special Reference to the Works of Deepa Agarwal

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684215

Author(s): Nikita Bhardwaj

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684215

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Volume 15 | Issue 4 | August 2024

Pages: 222-229

The Criterion: An International Journal in English Vol. 15, Issue-IV, August 2024 ISSN: 0976-8165
www.the-criterion.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
Voices of Childhood: A Study of Representation of Children in Indian
Literature with Special Reference to the Works of Deepa Agarwal
Nikita Bhardwaj
Assistant Professor,
Department of Applied Sciences,
Bhagwan Parshuram Institute of Technology,
GGSIPU, Delhi.
Article History: Submitted-02/08/2024, Revised-17/08/2024, Accepted-24/08/2024, Published-31/08/2024.
Abstract:
The representation of children in literature through characters, storytelling, symbolism,
humor, interactive dialogues, and other techniques fosters a sense of relatability. It helps
children feel seen, heard, and validated, profoundly impacting their understanding of
themselves and their identity. This, in turn, shapes their relationships with the world, its
diversity, and the customs and norms of their society. Studies have proved that exposure to
diverse situations and characters in literature can foster understanding, acceptance, and
empathy among children.
Representation of children in their literature is paramount, not only for the all-round
growth of our young generation but also to boost readership in the currently stagnant market
of Indian Children’s literature, which has been obsessed with didactic preaching ever since it
became a genre. Deepa Agarwal is a renowned Indian children’s author. She is popularly known
for her art of creating rich, simple, yet multi-faceted child characters in her works. Through her
varied narrative techniques, she provides an authentic voice for children in her books. By
focusing on real experiences, emotions, and perspectives, she effectively represents children
through her characterization and storytelling. This paper aims to understand and showcase the
nuanced and realistic depiction of children, the complexities of childhood, and the children’s
perspective through a narrative analysis of Deepa Agarwal’s select works.
Keywords: Children’s Literature, Relatability, Self-identity, Acceptance, Real-life
Experiences, Complexities.
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13684215

Voices of Childhood: A Study of Representation of Children in Indian Literature with Special Reference to the
Works of Deepa Agarwal
www.the-criterion.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
Introduction
Reading literature is the best way of developing perspective and knowledge of the world
around us, especially for children, as it is a highly crucial way for them to understand the world
before exploring it practically. In India, reading for pleasure is often something we are trying
to instill in children, whereas ideally, it should develop as a natural habit. Shashi Tharoor
emphasized, “Of late, I have met too many children who have never read a book for pleasure
or entertainment, but only for a classroom assignment. This is a terrible loss. And failing to
convey the joy of reading is probably the biggest mistake that successive generations of parents
and teachers have allowed themselves to make,” (Tharoor, speech)
To cultivate a genuine interest in reading—a goal shared by both parents and teachers—
it is crucial to cater to the needs and preferences of young readers. Just like adults, children are
more likely to engage with material they can relate to. Effective representation of children in
literature is essential for fostering reading habits and broadening perspectives. Books that
feature relatable narratives, straightforward storytelling techniques, authentic and diverse
characters, interactive language, captivating illustrations, and humor are more likely to appeal
to children and encourage them to read for pleasure. As it is understood:
“The more children read stories, the more they begin to interpret books based on their
background knowledge and to share their own ideas and opinions with others. Thus, children
develop literacy based on their personal response to literature in the context of their life
experiences rather than memorizing isolated letters and words and learning other basic
reading skills.” (Yoo, Seung-Yoeun, 1997)
Deepa Agarwal is a well-known Indian children’s literature author is popular amongst
children readers because of her engaging and educative narratives, diverse characters, and
exciting themes. She has established herself as a leading voice in Indian Children’s literature,
winning numerous awards and accolades for her art. Her stories often revolve around the
themes of identity, and implore cultural and social issues. The simple language is easily
comprehendible by young readers and provides them with a realistic picture of the world and
childhood in India. The characterization deeply explores the complexities of life; and probable
problems that children might face while growing up and navigating the world. This paper aims
to explore how incorporating relatable themes and giving a voice to child readers in fictional
books can enhance readership among children. It will examine how these approaches not only
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www.the-criterion.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
benefit children—who are the future of the nation—but also contribute to the growth of a genre
that is still in its early stages.
Need for Representation of Voices of Children in Their Literature
“Representation in children’s literature is essential for fostering empathy, understanding, and
a sense of identity among young readers. By reflecting the diverse world we live in and
providing children with characters they can relate to, children’s literature plays a crucial role
in shaping their worldview and promoting inclusivity. As community providers, educators, and
parents/caregivers, it is our responsibility to ensure that children have access to literature that
celebrates diversity and empowers them to embrace their identities fully. By doing so, we can
create a more inclusive society where every child feels valued and represented.” (Parez Daniel,
2024)
In today’s world, young readers are less receptive to didactic methods of learning and
prefer to explore, discover, and understand things in a more organic manner. Deepa Agarwal
has grasped this concept effectively, which is why she enjoys significant popularity and
enormous readership among children. The easy language, the diverse characterization, and the
interesting practical themes represent the experiences of children in her works, motivating and
teaching children towards a positive approach and a problem-solving ideology. She encourages
them towards inclusivity, empathy, and harmony with her stories and characters.
It is believed by great authors like Katherine Paterson in her book The Spying Hearts
(1989) “Our task as teachers and writers, artists and parents, is to nourish the imagination—
our own and that of the children entrusted to our care,”
“It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth
reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations—something that will help them make
sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite
different from their own.”
Realistic Narrative Technique
The narrative technique of any work holds the power to entertain and educate the reader
simultaneously. Deepa Agarwal employs a variety of techniques in her works to represent the
voices of Indian children. While Western works of fiction, which are widely read by children,
are popular, they often fail to address the needs and experiences of a child growing up in the
distinct socio-cultural context of a country like India. Indian children’s literature is at an
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Voices of Childhood: A Study of Representation of Children in Indian Literature with Special Reference to the
Works of Deepa Agarwal
www.the-criterion.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10448030
embryonic stage currently, to make it famous all across the globe and also to propagate Indian
culture. To endorse the life and struggles specific to Indian children on the world platform,
representing them in literature is the ideal way decoded by Deepa Agarwal. She uses vivid
descriptors, simple language, and dialogues and with it brings her characters to life. She
incorporates the Indian culture too in her work providing a captivating experience.
She has worked on developing an armchair traveling experience to the majestic Indian
land for her readers by giving them creative and descriptive Indian landscapes with vivid
pictures. In one of her books “Caravan to Tibet”, she describes the adventures of a young Boy
Debu, in search of his father, Baujyu, who was lost in a blizzard crossing the Kungri Bingri
pass towards Tibet. The local lifestyle of the craftsman community of the nomadic Shaukas,
who traveled during winters from Quithi to Munsiyari. Deepa Agarwal skilfully takes us to the
landscape and lifestyle of the Kumaon region people.
‘The thud of hooves hammered at Debu’s ear, the swishing of whips, the shrill exclamations of
the boys goading their sleeds on. Slowly, steadily, they left one horse behind, then another,
then another.’ (Aggarwal Deepa, 2007)
The story is a travel adventure and thus it leaves no stone unturned in generating the
reader’s excitement. It is full of emotions, adventure, and thrills. Debu’s journey resonates
deeply with young readers, capturing the essence of Indian emotions, the profound bonds of
family, the picturesque landscapes of the Himalayas, and the arduous quest of a poor young
boy searching for his lost father.
Another book by Deepa Agarwal is an example of the life in India from the point of
view of children and young readers. Her book “Kashmir, Kashmir” reflects the life of young
children living in the most scenic yet disturbed area in India. The daily life, dreams, and
ambitions of the characters are intricately shaped by the situations and challenges they face in
the region.
“a beautiful collection of short stories that must be read by young adults as well as adults. They
capture the essence of what it means to live amidst difficult times albeit on what they call
heaven on earth. It provides a nuanced and fresh perspective on the young adults in Kashmir,
who have their hearts filled with hope and dreams, just like youngsters everywhere else.”
(Shah, Dhanistha, 2022)
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This kind of narrative expresses the ideas and practical perspectives of Indian children,
showcasing their lives in vivid detail. The mystic fragrance of saffron, the apple orchards, the
Shikara boats on Dal Lake, the stone pelting, and the local stories and adventures are all
intricately woven together by Agarwal in her beautiful collection of stories.
Diverse and Powerful Characterization
Deepa Agarwal began her writing journey as a freelancer and later started writing for a
magazine called “Target”, where she got much appreciation the first book she wrote “Ashok’s
New Friends” had an extremely interesting theme of equality between boys and girls. It reflects
on the male and female characters breaking gender stereotypes. About Ashok’s encounter with
his new friends, the boy who likes cooking and his sister who is skilled at Karate. Her story
“Anita and the Ghost of Shadows” showcases the protagonist Anita, who fights and destroys
the evil king of Shadows and rescues her parents. The portrayal of strong female characters is
something common in the writings of Agarwal. She wants to focus on gender equality and
brings out the idea to the conventional Indian society that a girl can achieve equally daring
tasks as boys.

Deepa Agarwal has brought up a lot of stories revolving around powerful female
characters, however, her limitless craft has led her to create characters who are not only realistic
but also empowering, they treat the Indian children with a perspective of friendship, gender
equality, and inclusivity in the society. In her short story “Fire” from her story collection “Not
Just Girls”, she introduces the friendship between Puja, a middle-class girl, and Paruli, the
daughter of a house helper. She brings across the compulsions and hardships of the life of Paruli
who lies to avoid punishment; a situation that is hard to comprehend by Puja, this exposes the
young children to the perspective on the hardships in the lives of ‘Have-nots’. Through this,
they not only become grateful for their blessings but also develop empathy toward those who
are less fortunate around them.
In another story, “The Odd Weekend”, that follows from her collection ‘Everyday
Tales”, she narrates the experience of the centre character Mitu, who reluctantly visits a slum
with her Aunt, and then feels overwhelmed with the warmth, the love and the hospitality of the
people there. This further broadens the children’s perspectives, teaching them love and
empathy toward others, regardless of class or caste. Something that a young reader in the
diverse land of India should be absorbed with.

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Voices of Childhood: A Study of Representation of Children in Indian Literature with Special Reference to the
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The Reality, Life, Learning, and Empowering
Deepa Agarwal, the children and young adult writer has written over fifty books, each
of her books revolves around the rich tapestry of Indian culture, Indian life, the day-to-day
issues, the rich heritage and history, and the Indian folktales. She uses simple reader-friendly
language, interactive narration, and witty dialogues full of subtle knowledge. Her books cover
interesting attractive images that attract young readers. The characters in her books are inspired
by the real children around her. She narrates these stories by reliving her own childhood
memories, recreating the authentic emotions she experienced, as well as those felt by the
children she observed in real life.
The characters in her books were rooted in reality, and she added her creative touch to
each character to make it impressive and memorable in the minds of young readers. For
instance, the character of NurJahan in her famous book is a blend of Indian history along with
her understanding of the emotions that a young teenage girl could experience. As she tells in
one of her interviews with The Sunflower Seeds Deepa Agarwal says, “In The Teenage Diary
of Nur Jehan, apart from researching the historical details, I built her character on the basis
of the kind of personality she was as an adult.”
“For The Begum, I researched the freedom movement but also read several of Begum Ra’ana
Liaquat Ali Khan’s interviews and talked to people who had known personally to get a sense
of the kind of person she was.” (Agarwal Deepa, 2023)
The background that holds the character is well researched and extremely informative
to the readers who travel through the history and past of India during their reads. This narrative
technique is a great way to teach the culture, history, and society of India organically to the
readers. Not just this the protagonist reflects the diversity in characters adapted by the author
in each of her books. She chose women born in the Kumaon region in India, with her Indian
experiences around the Brahmin community where she grew up as a Christian, but who later
on became not just the wife of Pakistan’s first prime minister but also a leading example of
women empowerment in Pakistan. This level of character diversification is evident throughout
Agarwal’s works.
Deepa Agarwal retells Indian folktales in a way that not only appeals to children but
also conveys important moral values. To make these stories reader-friendly, especially for
young audiences, she consistently opts for a contemporary narrative style—one that mirrors
the voices and experiences of real children. She uses dialogue in modern children’s language,
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reflecting their world rather than imposing a heavy-handed moral interpretation. Agarwal
believes that a clear and subtle suggestion within the story is more effective in maintaining the
reader’s interest than overt moralizing.
Conclusion
Reading a book is one of the best ways to understand the world around us. A book has
the potential to shape the minds of its readers, especially young ones who may not yet have
practical experiences of various situations or people. Through reading, they can gain insights
and prepare themselves for the world they will encounter. It helps them to develop a positive
sense of self, for others. When children read didactic books, that teach them about the idealistic
ways of existing and only the preferred values and characters, they develop an understanding
of just the social expectations. Each individual is born with a different and unique personality
and each has a purpose to explore and live in the world. It is essential thus for children to
understand reality, situations, nature, and history to develop a natural acceptance and behavior.
Authors like Deepa Agarwal have understood the gaps in the readership in children’s literature.
Her works focus on the targeted morals and values. However, they are traced by the readers
through the understanding of the narratology, dialogues, and characters. She provides mirrors
of the society in her books, she traces the history for them, builds characters with intersecting
identities, and situations with social significance, and thus her stories conclude with the
targeted initiative of building the interpretative skills and understanding of the world in the
readers, who see themselves in her stories.

Works Cited:
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www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/children-no-longer-read-for-pleasure-says-shashi-
tharoor/article67524305.ece.
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3.”Kashmir to Kashmir by Deepa Agarwal.” Booked for Life, 6 April 2022
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Khan, Pakistan’s Pioneering First Lady, Penguin Classics, 2019.
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Open Spaces.” The Sunflower Seeds,
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great-natural-beauty-and-vast-open-spaces/.

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