Shilpa Kiranveer’s children’s book “Olugulu” debuted at Hyderabad’s Kathatitam library on Feb. 14, featuring captivating narration for kids and parents on themes of empathy, self-care, and creativity.
Amid the village-themed serenity of Kathatitam, Hyderabad’s beloved children’s library tucked in a quiet Gachibowli lane, storyteller Shilpa Kiranveer launched her vibrant picture book “Olugulu” on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The fifth-floor haven, alive with muggulu-adorned walls and calming vibes since its 2025 debut, hosted a mesmerizing narration for wide-eyed kids and parents, followed by spirited post-session dialogues that pulsed with laughter and insight. Guest Actor Jhansi, illustrator Soundarya Gottapu, and founder Shilpa wove a tapestry of empathy, creativity, and quiet revolutions in reading culture.
Jhansi’s Warm Embrace of Intimate Literary Magic
Actor Jhansi, drawn by library memberships for her family and Shilpa’s storied past, stepped in as a devoted friend, her voice brimming with delight. “These are very, very soulful meetings, not like those formal stage affairs,” she enthused, evoking the electric participation where vibrations hum differently and exchanges flow freely. Identifying as the relentless “blue tigress” from the tale, now embracing pauses, Jhansi clutched her pre-read copy for her niece.
Shilpa Kiranveer’s Bedtime Wisdom Blooms into Blue Tigress Triumph
Shilpa, Kathatitam’s visionary, where tales transcend to shape values like empathy and critical thinking crafted “Olugulu” from husband Kiranveer’s collapse under 14-hour corporate marathons, shuttling kids amid exhaustion. The majestic blue tigress Olugulu, jungle’s CEO with a noble-heart crown, embodies “nothing” as empowered refusal: a pause reclaiming self-respect amid people-pleasing traps. “Empathy flows two ways,” Shilpa proclaimed, mirroring parents to children, bosses to teams, caregivers to all; its toughest mirror for young minds shows Olugulu teaching stubborn pupils, urging growth through correction. Why blue? A defiant stroke against stereotypes, “craft your story your way,” she urged, igniting imagination to birth innovations like airplanes from dreamers’ pens, not conformists’ paths.
Soundarya Gottapu’s Meticulous Forest of Details and Feline Grace
Illustrator Soundarya Gottapu, master of human-nature dialogues, channeled cat-like poise and tiger swims into lush spreads, her research ensuring kid-proof accuracy, “not just pretty pictures.” Wordplay danced visually: “N-O-T-H-I-N-G” pulsing pause; hidden leaf cuts and critters teeming in forest depths. The crown-stack challenge yielded legible majesty, repeated across pages. “Kids catch details adults miss,” she marveled, crafting connotative cues for observation. On the royal blue palette, she nodded to Shilpa’s playful universality, sidestepping pink traps for a tigress any child could claim.
Echoes of Change and Open Invites
Shilpa’s parting plea: Devour “Olugulu,” then email kathatitam@gmail.com with raw reactions, praises, critiques, personal layers.
Whispers of sessions at Jubilee Hills’ Bahirshan’s beckoned, promising more in Hyderabad’s indie bookstore renaissance. In this gem fostering confident thinkers, “Olugulu” stands as a luminous call: Pause boldly, empathize deeply, color unapologetically.
Books and stories like these, will enrich the emotional quotient in children at very young age and helps them comprehend situations at home, school and outdoors easily.
