Srinagar: For several young boys and girls of Inderhama, the hazy Sunday began with narrating stories with some reluctance. The hush was broken every now and then by the occasional hesitant voices talking out their imagination. An hour later, the reluctance was gone and the laughing and cheering couldn’t stop. These cheerful teens had gathered to attend a creative writing workshop.

As a part of Kashmir Youth Arts Initiative (KYAI)  “Arts for healing” projects, in collaboration with ‘Childline’, supported by PRAVAH, a Delhi based organization, KYAI is conducting a Creative writing workshop for underprivileged kids. Located in a rural part of greater Srinagar at Inderhama, the venue for this workshop is provided by HELP foundation at its Shehjar complex.The workshop began on 26, Nov and it will continue over six Saturdays and Sundays of November and December.

The participants of the workshop include children between the ages of 14 to 17. They come from a nearby school, Alpha Public and from Shehjar orphanage foundation. The workshop will remain focused on various forms of expression and learning through active engagement, discussions, and conversations. It aims at breaking the rigid, conventional way of thinking and restructuring the thought process among youth. The workshop is being conducted by Taha Mughal, an architect by profession and a writer by passion.

On the opening day, the participants were thrilled to learn easy tips on storytelling and by the end of the day, they created and narrated stories, and played gender neutral games. KYAI conducted a similar workshop in January this year which was successful in helping the participants explore their interest in creative writing and storytelling.

This creative writing workshop will be followed by another one focusing on Painting and Arts with Malik Sajad.

Guest