When was the last time you heard a story? Or when was the last time you shared a story? No matter old or young, we all have stories to tell, don’t we? Some we choose to share and some we keep within. And when enthusiastic story-tellers and listeners gather, magic happens!
On 06 July 2025, our home museum came alive with warmth, joy, and the soulful rhythm of stories. We hosted Stor-real Connections, a cozy and heartfelt storytelling session led by the incredibly talented Ms. Deepa Kiran, founder of the Story Arts Foundation. She is one of India’s most distinguished storytellers, known for her expressive, music-and-movement-rich storytelling style rooted in Indian oral traditions. A TEDx speaker and research scholar at IIT Madras, she uses storytelling as a tool to nurture language skills, communication, and emotional intelligence. With a career spanning over two decades, she has brought together education, communication, and the performing arts to create meaningful, lasting impact.
We were delighted to welcome 16 enthusiastic guests to a warm and engaging session hosted at the home museum. The event began with Mr. Y. Krishna Murthy (YK sir), who graciously welcomed everyone and shared a few words about the home museum’s spirit and purpose.
Nivedita, Founder of Lampshade Writers and a core team member of YKA, introduced Deepa who then shared the story behind the event’s title, “Stor-real Connections” — a beautiful play on story and real, drawing inspiration from surreal connections, reflecting the idea that stories can spark genuine human connection. She set the tone for an interactive experience, inviting both storytelling and story-listening from the audience, making space for reflection, dialogue, and shared meaning.
Deepa also spoke about her passion for telling stories rooted in our own land and how these bring in richness and relatability. She began with playful greeting exercises to warm up the group, followed by a series of compelling stories — each one laced with humour, heart, and insight. After every story, she gently invited the audience to pause, reflect, and connect the tale with their own lived experiences.
The first story that she shared was about a small boy who made his first purchase alone because his mother was busy. Recalling his mother’s advice on bargaining, he managed to get a shirt for free. The second story was about Paramananda guru and his shishyas (students), who, by following only the literal instructions of the guru and not thinking for themselves, found themselves in trouble. The third story she narrated was about a mischievous child whose curiosity and questions helped reveal a hidden truth in the village, showing how listening and courage can bring change.
Known for her musical storytelling, Deepa wove magic through her words, music, and movement, welcoming everyone into a world of imagination and connection. The event was not just about stories, but about creating a space to listen, engage, and even share spontaneous mini-narrations. With interactive activities, laughter, and an inviting small-group setting, it truly became a morning of meaningful connections and shared wonder.
After the session, Deepa led an engaging 20-minute activity where participants were divided into groups of three and encouraged to discuss the stories, share their takeaways, and reflect on their personal connections to the themes. This created a lively atmosphere of exchange and introspection. The participants then shared their own stories and experiences, creating a circle of spontaneous narratives that deepened the sense of connection.
When asked about her experience, Nivedita added, “I was so satisfied that we did this. It felt like people should bond over stories and find common threads. The more connected we are, the less divisive we feel. It’s a wonderful way to bring people together and share a space—especially at YKA, where everyone who enters, whether new or old, feels completely at home.”
The morning ended on a beautiful note, with our guests expressing deep appreciation for Deepa’s remarkable presence and storytelling. In Deepa’s words, “The home museum was so inviting, so conducive to connection. Sharing stories from our intangible oral heritage in that space created a deep resonance — a sense of togetherness, a seamless coming together of what a space symbolises: its underpinnings, its ethos, and its core values. Stories may be real or not but the connections over stories that we make are certainly real and very precious.”
For us at YK Antiques Home Museum (YKA), it was more than just an event; it was a reminder that stories, when shared, can become bridges between people, generations, and cultures. We want the home museum to serve as a space where city folks can engage meaningfully with tradition through heritage arts and cultural experiences.
