Storytelling Training & Certification Workshops
Discover the art of the oral tradition. Learn to weave puppets, movement, and voice into powerful narratives, whether you are a teacher, parent, or professional.
This is an invitation to our Certified Diploma Course, a residential program at the beautiful Fireflies ashram. We delve into masks, movement, music, and puppetry to help you refine your storytelling skills and master the craft.
A duplicate video inviting aspiring storytellers to our diploma course. We bring together traditional and contemporary practices to help you climb the ladder of storytelling to a different level.
We were thrilled to host the renowned Mumbai puppeteers, 'The Puppetarians,' for a workshop at Kathalaya. Learning to make and use puppets is a wonderful way to bring stories to life kinesthetically.
A collage capturing the vibrant energy of our workshops and lit fest appearances. From puppetry sessions to intensive courses, we are always busy creating and sharing the art of storytelling.
A poster for my intensive experiential course on storytelling. In these sessions, I demonstrate the magic of voice projection, body language, and movement to keep an audience engaged and curious.
Our professional tellers from Kathalaya in action at BBUL Jain Vidyalaya. They captivated students with tales and activities, showing the impact of our training in real school environments.
Here is Latha Sathish, one of our professional storytellers, creating waves at a school library inauguration. She uses puppets, songs, and word games to celebrate the power of words and make learning fun.
About this collection
When you join our residential programs, we don’t just talk about theory. We get our hands messy. You will work with masks, puppets, and rhythm to learn how to hold an audience’s attention. It is about more than memorizing tales; it is about discovering the storytelling rhythm buried within you, whether you are planning to perform, teach in classrooms, or simply connect better with your family.
Our Pedagogical Approach
Training at Kathalaya is an immersion into the 'Storyskilling' way. We believe that everyone has an innate ability to hold an audience, but it requires practice to unlock. Our courses, including our certification programs affiliated with the Universities of Edinburgh and Sweden, focus on the mechanics of the craft.
What You Will Learn
- Voice Projection & Modulation: How to use your breath and tone to create atmosphere.
- Kinesthetic Puppetry: We teach you how to make and manipulate puppets so they become an extension of your storytelling, not just a prop.
- Movement & Rhythm: How to use the space around you, your body language, and simple musical instruments like drums or bells to emphasize your narrative.
- Documentation: The process of capturing and refining traditional folklore for modern audiences.
The Experience
We host our intensive residential courses at the Fireflies ashram, where the environment itself helps you slow down and listen. It is four days of stepping away from the noise of the city to focus on your Antardhwani—your inner voice. You aren't just here to learn a skill; you are here to build a library of experiences that you will carry forward into your own classrooms or home life.
Whether you are a teacher looking to engage students, a corporate professional needing to communicate with impact, or a parent wanting to bond with your child, our methodology gives you the tools to turn any story into an event.
Geeta Ramanujam
I have dedicated 45 years to the oral tradition, and today, my work is about helping you find your unique voice. At Kathalaya, we don’t just teach you to perform; we help you unlock your Antardhwani, using puppets, rhythm, and your own life experiences to connect deeply with others.
Explore our other storytelling programs
Find sessions, workshops, and walks that suit your interest.
More from Storytelling Performances & Events by Geeta Ramanujam