Flocks of birds swirl in the air silhouetted against an orange sunset before descending on their chosen roosting sites. The air is scented with the intoxicating fragrance of champaka flowers while butterflies flutter around looking for nectar. That is a beautiful evening unfolding somewhere in Tamil Nadu in chapter one of young author A Tamiliniyan’s fiction Kumaran’s Adventures and Iniyan’s Travels. “It is inspired by my grandmother’s stories,” Tamiliniyan says, elaborating that the story is an adventure of boys who explore the deep pockets of a jungle looking for an exotic, yellow flower.
This grade 4 student is the youngest author among 135 students from grades 4 to 12 who set a new record for most books published by school students simultaneously at the 25th anniversary celebrations of Frontline Schools in Tirupur. The achievement was certified by Elite World Records, Asian Records Academy, India Records Academy and Tamilan Book of Records. “We wanted our students to have a beautiful memory associated with their childhood and a creative activity like writing a book gives them an opportunity to express themselves,” says S Sakthinandhan, director of the group adding that they want to make this a regular activity and provide a launchpad for young authors. This, he plans to achieve by encouraging children in story-telling activities and book reviews that help them brush up their Listening Speaking Reading Writing (LSRW) skills.
