Neelima Penumarthy, StoryHour UK Founder and CEO, is excited about the launch of a new audiobook on timeless stories from India this week. The audiobook titled ‘A Brief History of Indian Independence – From the Mughals to the Mahatma’ conveys the period when the East India Company made inroads into pre-independent India.
She said: “In 2020, I reached out to two teenagers – Ayur Pulle from London and Aarush Kumbhakern from India. The boys spoke to each other and started working together online during covid to write this narrative. They researched, debated, and finally collaborated on the narrative. In 2021, they completed the audiobook narration.
“We wanted this vast Indian History to be conveyed in an hour – from the time East India Company entered India until India won its freedom in 1947, a huge task!”
“Our work has been lauded by none other than the acclaimed author – Historian and Indian Parliamentarian Dr Shashi Tharoor,” she informs.
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The evocative background score for the audiobook was composed by London-based musician Robin Christian.
Penumarthy then reached out to a retired principal of India’s Delhi Public School, Dr Sharda Manocha, who translated the audiobook narrative into beautiful Hindi. She selected two students, Ankit Singh and Rishika Rana, from the Blind Relief Association, New Delhi, to narrate the audiobook.
The Hindi version of the audiobook will be launched on January 30, commemorated as Martyr’s Day the world over as Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.
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StoryHour UK produces audiobooks and puppet shows that convey timeless stories from India. She works with teenagers as writers and narrators for audiobooks. Their earlier audiobook on ‘Ramayana’ has garnered immense praise. Earlier she had produced virtual puppet shows on Ramayana, Diwali and other Indian mythological tales on several prestigious platforms. Her young sons, Shreyas and Ayur Pulle, also support her in many such projects.
*Info: StoryHour UK
