RAEVA and QUIVERFLY’S SECRET: How a Grandmother Became an Author
Dr. Ritu Sangal a co-founder of Arts Studio-Culture Chauraha, uses storytelling to impart values and connect children with nature and culture through tales taken from her childhood and Indian folklore.
Books were my first window to wonder. As a child, they weren’t just stories—they were adventures, friendships, and secret hideaways. As the daughter of an Army officer, my childhood was dotted with constant relocations. Each move brought new friends, languages, festivals, and stories. Much of this was nurtured by my mother, who encouraged me to explore the arts. For over five decades, my life revolved around teaching, exhibiting and curating art.
Then came a new phase, becoming a grandmother. I began noticing the quiet power of stories once again, this time through the wide-eyed curiosity of my grandson, Arhan.
Watching Arhan dive into picture books was a revelation. His eyes sparkled with excitement, his spontaneous questions, giggles, and observations felt like a world far removed from the structured rhythm of my art classes. But what surprised me even more was how naturally he began to invent stories—stories about animals, clouds, secret creatures, and everything in between.
I started recording his tales, sketching alongside, often laughing at the unexpected turns his imagination took. Slowly, I felt myself pulled into a new world. A world of storytelling that was playful, vivid, and deeply alive.
This path led me to something I’d never imagined: digital illustration. As someone trained in traditional art, this felt like unfamiliar terrain. But with it came surprising joy and a sense of freedom. Then one day, I stumbled upon the image generation tool on the Canva App. It felt like stumbling upon a magical toy store. I was giddy with excitement—Diwali and Christmas rolled into one.
I played. I experimented. The speed and ease were thrilling, especially compared to the long hours I spent with brush and paper. But once the novelty wore off, a quiet truth settled in—those images lacked soul. They didn’t carry the warmth, the intent, or the spark I wanted for Arhan.
I considered outsourcing the illustrations. After all, I had so many stories in mind. But I kept wondering—how would I explain the exact mood, the brightness I loved, or the character’s charm that would delight Arhan? So, I returned to the drawing board. Literally.
I spent hours teaching myself digital illustration. Slowly, line by line, a new language unfolded—a fusion of traditional aesthetics and playful, contemporary visuals. I found myself creating with intention, drawing for Arhan, but also for the child in me.
This book is the beginning of a new chapter. A story of Quiverfly, a talking butterfly, and her precious egg’s life-changing journey. Some stories, like this one, are rooted in my own childhood—shaped by the wisdom and warmth of Indian folk tales. Others come from Arhan’s ever-changing stories, reflections of his boundless world.
They say retirement is a time to slow down. For me, it has been a time to begin again—with joy, curiosity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
As I publish this first book with Zorba Books, I’ve also discovered the world of self-publishing—another first in a year full of new beginnings. I look forward to many more stories to come—some remembered, some imagined, all told with love.
RAEVA and QUIVERFLY’S SECRET – Enchanting Young Children
The truth behind the publishing dream: Zorba authors lay bare the doubts, breakthroughs, and moments that changed everything.