Book Box | Rediscovering the art of storytelling through oral tradition
Originating from Denmark in 2000, the Human Library is a space dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations, sparking curiosity, and addressing queries
Dear Reader,
14 ‘Books’ converge on the eighth floor of a business school. They come in from everywhere, on a Saturday, from Coimbatore and Delhi, from Bandra and Bandra Kurla Complex.
Each is an expert storyteller. Five of the fourteen are writers of bestselling books. Others include corporate head honchos, a casting director, an ethical hacker turned entrepreneur, and a theatre director, each brimming with awe-inspiring anecdotes.
Around them, sitting across tables and in armchairs, sprawled on carpets and against cushions, are groups of students.
Today's event is the Human Library, an experimental concept dating back to Denmark in 2000. That event featured over fifty 'human books' over four days, inspiring similar libraries worldwide, including here in Mumbai.
The purpose is to hear stories, spark safe dialogues, and ask tough questions. And that's exactly what unfolds. Students become enthusiastic 'borrowers,' engaging the 'books' in discussions.
Here’s a snatch of the many conversations -
For the policewoman in Bihar – "did you ever disagree with a politician?"
For the army veteran – "what was it like being a woman in the Kargil war?"
For the food scientist - "do you believe in Ayurveda?"
To make decisions – "how do you cast the right person for a film role?"
In conflicts - "tell us about fighting a stereotype?"
For theatre - “how do you use drama to communicate?”
It’s a day to remember and a space to hold onto.
There is art on the walls, and carpets and plush chairs. And in the distance, through the glass windows, the tall towers of Hiranandani Complex and the Powai lake.
This is the start-up energy of Powai. And yet the human library feels centuries old, bringing back ancient energies of oral storytellers, primaeval men and women around a fire sharing their learnings through stories, guru shishyas clustering around in a powerful exchange of ideas.
Afterwards, there are books for everybody; everything from poetry to personal finance.
People line up to get their books signed.
From Krish Ashok, a software engineer turned science nerd and author of wondrous Masala Lab. And from Ranjit Hoskote whose poetry collection Icelight pinpoints perils to the planet.
Manjari Jaruhar meanwhile, is still deep in discussion about ways of working within a system to change it, simultaneously signing copies of Madam Sir - the story of her days as the first woman IPS in Bihar.
Author Aparna Piramal joins her at the same table, signing copies of Chemical Khichdi, her memoir about dealing with bipolar disorder.
‘Books’ and ‘borrowers’ reflect on the learnings of the day, that it is humans who are the greatest storytellers.
Even as AI is reshaping how we read and learn, this human library format uses ancient oral traditions to demonstrate a powerful way of learning through stories.
Do you enjoy human stories - told live, through memoirs or in audiobooks? Are there any that you recommend? Do write in.
And until next week, happy reading!
Sonya Dutta Choudhury is a Mumbai-based journalist and the founder of Sonya’s Book Box, a bespoke book service. Each week, she brings you specially curated books to give you an immersive understanding of people and places. If you have any reading recommendations or suggestions, write to her at sonyasbookbox@gmail.com
The views expressed are personal
