Myaala, An Illustrated Children's book.

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MYAALA ; to meet or meeting in Konkani

The Mandovi estuary at the ocean’s edge has been a place of meeting of the sea and river for ages. The strange workings at the margins of the Konkan coast, where sparkling streams from the Sahayadris and the furious tides from the Arabian sea mingle to create a story of constant change, flux, unpredictability, survival, reproduction, cycles, and time. An unusual busy-ness and yet a certain stillness exists in this place. The unbent drive of the animals and plants to survive, despite it’s extreme conditions is fascinating.

Myaala embraces the transforming nature of the estuary through a children's poem book. This project is an attempt to evoke appreciation for marine life and it's complex ways, among children. The project is an exploration of several concepts like geographical shifts, chemical and biological variability in estuarine waters, movement and migration, interdependence, animal and plant life, time and seasonal cycles. It uses storytelling to communicate this story to children of ages 8-12 yrs.

The book explores this space through the typical hot and humid Goan summer to heavy but short lived south-west monsoon.

As many textbooks have a dry syllabi and boring designs, my attempt is to fill these gaps in syllabi by provocative visuals and poetry to make learning fun. Also, to create a storytelling experience for anyone who is a leisure reader.

Fact sheets about the ecology of the Mandovi estuary in Goa, has also been included.

This project, in collaboration CEE explores opportunities to increase ecological literacy and awareness using marine life as the context. There is a rapidly shifting ecological, technological, and cultural order around the ocean. Here, art and design can help bridge the gap between the present dynamic and the understanding of the present dynamic.

CEE

Centre for Environment Education is a government institution that plays a significant role in local, national and global efforts towards sustainable development and environmental literacy. CEE works with schools, higher educational institutions, policy makers and various communities to maximise the scope of environmental education and awareness through effective communication.

Research: Studying different landscapes of Goa; Beaches, Estuaries, Lagoons, Islands, Khaznam agricultural lands, Salt Pans, Western ghats, their flora and fauna.