Storytelling is a metaphor for life itself.

It helps us connect the familiar with the unknown,

and in that process, we begin to connect more deeply with ourselves.

This June, Geeta Ramanujam will be facilitating the 8th Storytelling Course at the Himalayan Writing Retreat — a 4-day residential journey from June 12th to 15th.

Set in the serene beauty of the Himalayas, this is not just about learning storytelling.

It is about experiencing it — feeling it, living it, and allowing it to unfold within you.

As stories emerge, they begin to blend with your own inner journeys,

creating a space for reflection, expression, and meaningful connection.

 This is not just a retreat.

 It is a transformation.

If you are looking to pause, reconnect, and rediscover your voice through stories,

this journey might be just what you need.

Begin your journey with Geetha Ramanujam.

Certified Intensive Beginner Storytelling Course. 

At Himalayan Writing Retreat,  Satkhol, Uttarakhand

 June 12-15 

Friday to Monday

For more details click

Storytelling Retreat at Himalayas with Kathalaya

What is the esoteric meaning of a mantra of Sanskrit cannot be understood without a grounding in Prakrit.

Sanskrit was the spoken literature of the mantras and slokas.

Prakrit was the written literature of the Indic vision of the infinite

Vernacular languages were the languages of people which was rooted in the reality of samsara.

Prakrit Studies is important for three reasons –

• To understand the commentary on Sanskrit mantric recitations, the Vedas onwards.
• To trace the advaitic and ahimsic roots of Indic thought.
• For Jaina studies and also for indology to rethink its bases.

Avatavva is a Prakrit word that means inexpressible and indescribable. This word can be used as in the Sanskrit words Neti Neti, not this not this like situations. When something can’t be described it is called Avatavva in Prakrit. The nature of cosmic reality which Sanskrit tells us can’t be described is a typical Avatavva instance.

Prakrit is a language at once fluid and classical. It has the strength of Sanskrit with the flexibility of modern languages. It is considered a middle Indic language. If we make an effort to learn Prakrit, we will swim in the sea of Indic literature. From the 2nd century to the 18th century Prakrit was the Indic language of its literature. Sanskrit was the language of the yagna and Prakrit was the language of those learned in Literature. It was also the language of Jaina Scriptures.

In India, we find the concept of bhasha traya or the triple split of languages – Sanskrit, Prakrit and the vernacular (Tamil, Kannada, etc,). Prakrit was considered to be the language of the snakes. It was believed to be Patal Bhasha – language of the netherworlds or nagbhasa – the language of the snakes.

What makes a city a space of storytellers?

In this thoughtful conversation, Geetha Ramanujam reflects on Bangalore —

its stories, its traditions, and the deeper role storytelling plays in shaping culture.

From the story of Punyakoti to the living heritage of Janapada Loka,

she reminds us that storytelling is not something we simply learn —

it is something we inherit, live, and carry forward.

In a world that leans towards information and writing,

this is a gentle return to:

 listening

 memory

 oral traditions

And what truly makes a storyteller.

If this resonates with you,

Kathalaya offers spaces to explore storytelling more deeply:

 For details: 82773 89840

 Certified Intensive Beginner Storytelling Course 

Batch 183

 Kathalaya Centre, Bangalore

 April 17–19

Register: https://forms.gle/8B2xAo9oQAia7pdH6

Batch 184

 Defence Colony, Delhi

 June 5-7

Register: https://forms.gle/fZDxPTtSmXnhUSBC6

Batch 185

 Himalayan Writing Retreat, Satkhol, Uttarakhand

 June 12-15

Register: https://www.himalayanwritingretreat.com/event/storytelling-course-kathalaya/

 The Diploma in Storytelling 

Batch 39

  Kathalaya Centre, Bangalore

 June 14-17

Register: https://forms.gle/CA4t9jBArZgVLKrG6

  Antardhwani Retreat – The Storytellers’ Inner voice

  Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

 July 17-19

Register: https://forms.gle/te5ZHJ3SZC6VyPxw6

Subject: Prehistory

Concept: Creeping creatures

In c. 580 million years ago soft bodied animals with flat, leaf shaped body appeared. They had no distinct heads or legs but were able to creep around the sea floor. Many of the fossils were found in Edicara Hills and were known as Edicara animals. A bird lived on Edicara hill and found these fossils. These fossils spoke to her and described how as the Edicara animals they had crept and crawled on the sea floor.

Subject: Prehistory

Concept: Origins of Photosynthesis

Once a fish was swimming in the seas. It came across some ancient stromatolites. It asked the older turtle who was swimming there what the stromatolites were. The turtle answered, “The stromatolites are the ancient remains of the ancient single celled organisms that grew in shallow water and built up to form rocky moulds.”

The fish asked, “All creatures eat something. What did these single celled organisms eat?”

“That is a good question,” said the turtle, “These single celled organisms began to harness sunlight to make food in a process known as photosynthesis. That was the first origin of photosynthesis.”