Katha

A "profit-for-all" nonprofit organization, Katha works in the broad areas of language, culture and translation, as well as poverty alleviation. Story and storytelling are the two powerful tools we use as publishers, teachers and agents of change.

Founded in 1988 by Geeta Dharmarajan, Katha is one of India’s leading publishing houses and NGOs. Our work includes storytelling, the publication of translations and children’s books, as well as literacy, education and community development.

One of the few publishing houses in India to focus on translation, Katha brings out quality translations in 21 Indian Bhashas (languages). It not only publishes children’s books but also poetry, academic books, short stories, plays, novels and novellas.

With it’s focus on education, Katha runs a school for slum-children, as well as the Tamasha School on Wheels for the street children in New Delhi. There are also Katha-Lisu Schools situated on the India-Myanmar border and in Arunachal Pradesh.

An organization committed to community development, Katha is strongly pro-poor. More than 1500 women are members of the Maa Mandal. Besides this, the Bapu Mandal, the Balika Mandal and the Shopkeepers Guild work closely for the economic resurgence of the community.

Katha's major activities include the Katha Awards for Literary Excellence that are considered national recognitions; and the Katha Utsavs that bring literature into the public ken. These create open meeting places for writers and scholars, storytellers, folk and contemporary artists and community activists from India and abroad.

Katha works with 6000 Friends of Katha and a growing pool of community activists and literary enthusiasts. Our constant striving is for greater reach and impact amongst teachers and students, policy makers and the corporate sector.

Philosophy

What can be more enjoyable and satisfying than a good read? Even if it does no more than give pleasure and joy, it has done enough. But stories have always given more to each living culture.

Stories give us access to insights and skills needed to live in a pluralistic society like India . Stories can and do help develop active tolerance skills in us, an ability that comes from a greater maturity and understanding of ground realities (as opposed to the passive tolerance that many of us have today). We would need a thousand lives to learn from our own experience about
India 's rich and varied cultures; stories are a vicarious way to learn more about ourselves.

Katha's main aim is to enhance the pleasures of reading for children and adults, for experienced readers as well as for those who are just beginning to read. And, inter alia, to -

Stimulate an interest in lifelong learning that will help children grow into confident, self-reliant, responsible and responsive adults.

Help break down gender, cultural and social stereotypes.

Encourage and foster excellence, and applaud quality literature and translations in and between the various Indian languages.

Enhance the joys of reading for all.

http://www.katha.org/