UNFOLDING FOLKTALES
Unfolding Folktales‘ conceptually brings to life, a South Indian tale ‘The Flowering Tree’, through a series of narrative illustrations, presented on a ‘Kavad’ that embodies a heritage and my cultural influences, inviting viewers to opening the door to a rich narrative tradition. Additionally, augmented reality is integrated to enhance the illustrations and provide deeper engagement with the experience.
This project was originally inspired by illustration as a visual medium that allows the understanding of the world around us, where visual storytelling has been an innate part of the human phenomena.
Though folkales are meant for all, they are often dismissed as bedtime stories. My aim was to look beyond this and contextualise the narrative experience that’s more in tune with an adult audience while sharing a part of my own Indian ethnicity through storytelling.
I’ve explored my progression as designer, illustrator and storyteller by re-interpreting a folktale through illustration, simultaneously investigating the fading tradition of the handcrafted ‘Kavad’ — a storytelling platform originating from the North-Western part of India— and its value in unfolding rich illustrated narratives on its panels. I was intrigued by the potential of maintaining its relevance to engage with stories and communicate in today’s world.
A level of sensitivity was applied to the cultural/regional aesthetics to convey the origins of ‘The Flowering Tree’ — a folktale told by women from Southern India that imparts messages of human vulnerabilities and strength and respect for nature.
The visuals employed a style, inspired by contemporary graphite illustration, fused with earthy colours and patterns of traditional South Indian folkart in order to expressively portray both personal style and the organic, grounded quality of the tale. The final compositions portray moments of the narrative through slight abstraction, incorporating symbols and referenced elements that reflect its regional background.
The Kavad panels are opened and read from left to right, while viewers are encouraged to embrace its tactile, intuitive nature. Selected illustrations are activated by scanning a QR code that directs viewers to their Facebook camera to view the effect. A glimpse into the culture of the tale and symbolism is provided through a book.
Through this visual storytelling experience, I hope to inspire users to look beyond mainstream fairytales and revisit hidden folktales as adults, to expand their appreciation towards traditions that stem from other cultures.