Illustrating Tarun's Story

We have all been Tarun, standing in a school assembly, heart racing, forgetting the words.

The focus is on the stress of copying versus the joy of sharing a story. Grandma (Dadi) appears with a soft, happy face, narrating freely from her imagination. In contrast, Tarun’s struggle is shown through his body language; his fingers clutch a pencil tightly in desperation. An angry, tired expression reveals how he loses his own thoughts by trying too hard to copy hers.

ABove scene captures Tarun’s lowest moment at the school assembly. The composition places him alone in a bright spotlight, making him look small and emphasizing a “blank” feeling. His posture includes sloping shoulders and fingers nervously touching his shirt, which shows a clear lack of confidence. The surrounding crowd’s laughter makes his frozen pose stand out, highlighting his isolation.

The color palette blends a classic tale with a sad reality. Earthy browns and muted “down tones” give the art an old-world Alibaba feel. These soft, heavy colors reflect Tarun’s sadness, replacing happy glows with a mood that feels more emotional and defeated.