In his latest book, ‘The Adventures of R4’, author Datta Damodar Naik tells the story of a group of children and their magical friends who are on an adventure to bring peace between India and Pakistan
NT KURIOCITY
Businessman, social activist, and author, Datta Damodar Naik has released his new book, ‘The Adventures of R4’, for children and young adults.
The book focuses on four friends – Ranisa, Raina, Ranvir, and Rehaan – along with their pets: Bingo the dog, Chani the squirrel, Leitao the piglet, and Mittu the parrot. In the story, they meet a magician and a witch who teach them magical tricks like invisibility and mind-reading. Using these powers, the children stop terrorism in the Kashmir Valley and bring peace between India and Pakistan.
Naik has been writing in Konkani and Marathi, mostly for an adult audience, for many years. However, it was the birth of his grandchildren that motivated him to begin writing stories in English for children and young adults. His first two English books for children are ‘Uncommon Wealth’, a modern reinterpretation of the ‘Panchatantra’, and ‘The Jungle School’, a contemporary retelling of the ‘Hitopadesha’.
In ‘The Adventures of R4’ Naik uses simple and clear language to impart moral values such dedication, determination, courage, self-confidence, imagination, and love for animals.
Targeted at students from Classes 5 to 12, aged 10 to 18, the book is available at leading bookstores and Monginis outlets in Goa.
Excerpts from the interview:
What made you blend fantasy, adventure, and moral lessons in ‘The Adventures of R4’ and what do you want young readers to take from it?
To make this book engaging, I used fantasy, which is loved by children. A prominent example of this is the runaway success of Harry Potter. Children also love adventures, so the book is a mix of fantasy, magic, and real-life experiences. A good story should hold the attention of children and keep them engaged until the very end.
How does ‘The Adventures of R4’ differ from your other books?
My first two books were collections of stories, but ‘The Adventures of R4’ is a novella. I believe stories stay with children long after they’ve read them, while general narratives can fade away. We have a long tradition of storytelling, with tales from works like the Panchatantra, Hitopadesha, Jataka Kathas, Kathasaritsagara, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, and I wanted to continue that tradition, which has shaped childhood learning for centuries.
The story takes the characters to different places in India and other countries. How did you choose these locations and how do they add to the story?
The story takes readers to various cities in India, such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Srinagar, as well as international locations like England, Switzerland, Africa, and Canada. I wanted young readers to experience the world, and I believe that these diverse settings broaden their horizons.
As a businessman, social activist, and author, how do your experiences influence the stories you write and the messages you share?
I have found that children connect with my books. Whenever I visit a house, many share with me how much they enjoy my stories and even mention winning storytelling competitions based on them.
How has your writing style or approach changed since your earlier books?
When I first started writing stories for children, I found that writing for children was more challenging than writing for adults. Children’s books need to be very lucid and engaging, with a strong grasp of child psychology. A good book must have both substance and style. The stories should be rich in visual imagery so that when children read them, they can vividly imagine the characters and the events. My goal is to make reading feel like a personal conversation as if I’m telling the stories to my grandchildren.
Are you currently working on any other books?
I am working on a sequel to ‘The Adventures of R4’, likely to be titled ‘Space Odyssey of R4’. In this novella, children will journey in a spacecraft beyond our solar system, exploring the vast universe. I plan to introduce my target audience to the wonders of astronomy. Also, I have plans to take my stories to social media and narrate them to children, as many kids prefer listening to stories rather than reading them. It’s important to revive the age-old tradition of storytelling, as children develop a love for reading when they are exposed to engaging and interesting stories.
Featured Events
Sunaparanta-Goa Centre for the Arts is organising a miniature art exhibition titled’ An Alternative Contemporary’, curated by Waswo X. Waswo. The exhibition will be open to the public until February 28, 2025. Details: +91 832 6750876 / info@sgcfa.org
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Among the eight exceptional music artists handpicked for the B-side Music Production Residency programme, ‘Discokid’, a Goa-based musician will be performing at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023. The 11-day workshop concluded in Olaulim recently and was organised by the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The eight artists namely Dzerouengmit Lepcha, Fatima Hakeen (Discokid), Lenix Lobo, Hasan Shahrukh, Govi, Ashel Unger, Rushaki Ghosh and Medhaj Dempo, delved deep into the intricacies of music production using Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation during the residency, which formally culminated on October 20. The residency was mentored by industry experts, including Jay Pei, Megha Balani, SHFT and Puneesh Suri. Fatima Hakeen aka ‘Discokid’ is a musician and producer based out of Goa and has been featured in well-known online music shows like Mixmag Goa and Worldwide FM. Over the eleven-day intensive program, the participants explored a myriad of techniques, from working with audio clips and MIDI basics to advanced production methods, honing their skills and collectively broadening their creative horizons. “Each participant brings a unique flavour to the table: from Dzerouengmit Lepcha’s soulful melodies to Discokid’s groovy beats, Lenix Lobo’s experimental sounds and Govi’s fusion of Carnatic vocals with indie and alternative genres. Hasan Shahrukh, with his expertise in […]
Glow of Epiphyllum – Brahma Kamal flowers of Goa
Recently, I came across a news story about a record-breaking bloom of 28 Brahma Kamal flowers in Goa. The spectacular sight of its prolific blossoms in the video took me on a trip down memory lane. We, too, had this beautiful plant in our garden, lovingly tended by my grandmother. Commonly referred to as ‘Bramhakamal’ in Goa and likely across the country, this plant is scientifically known as Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Belonging to the Cactaceae family, it is an exotic plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Interestingly, it has no botanical connection to the true Bramhakamal species, scientifically named Saussurea obvallata, which is found and revered in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan regions. The slight resemblance between Epiphyllum Oxypetalum and the original Bramhakamal may explain the confusion between the two. Also known as the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus or Queen of the Night, this flower truly lives up to its regal title. In our garden, this plant held a special place in my heart. Its slightly puffed, elongated leaves distinguished it from the other greenery. The celestial blooms appeared rarely, usually between July and September. One of the most unique aspects of this flower is how it unfurls its […]
Festa do Povo: Festival to Showcase Goan Heritage, Food, & Culture
The well-known community festival, Festa do Povo, returns to Panaji again, to promote Goan culture and heritage. The festival is coordinated through community involvement, with assistance from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and Imagine Panaji, along the pedestrian walkway lined with mangroves at Patto Plaza near the Spaces building. Residents from various wards in the city, who reside in heritage homes and blocks, participate in the festival’s planning. What food can you expect here? It ranges from Goan-Portuguese to Hindu Saraswat to Muslim dishes, cooked by local home chefs, Panaji restaurants, and even international chefs. The food section of the festival showcases Goa’s rich culinary diversity across various religious communities. Additionally, a special Feni bar and beverage station featuring local drinks will enhance the festive atmosphere. Day one (December 14) will feature traditional Shigmo dances and children’s craft activities curated by Bookworm, a -book store for children. Participants can enjoy a variety of performances, including the Kaustubha Ballet, the beloved Stuti Choir, the traditional dekhni dance, and enchanting melodies by the Sound of Music. On the second day, December 15, there will be brass band performances, percussion displays, and carol singing by students from Nirmala School. This […]
