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Tall tales make a healthy dot-com

Firdaus Ali in Toronto

What started as a story-telling adventure ended up as a dotcom business venture for Binni Rana of Toronto.

www.kahani.com, the Web site she founded, provides for children what grandmas used to in the past -- their favourite bedtime stories, this time complete with pictures, illustrations and interactive sessions.

Most stories on kahani.com are based on Indian mythological themes and characters, but have the necessary magic that kids look for in book series like The Magic School Bus. So, a baby Krishna does not change in character, but takes on a new avatar. He could be in running shoes and shorts, looking just like any child down the block.

Rana is founder and CEO of the web site that showcases the talents of writers and illustrators. The site also provides families a common ground to explore India through books, mythological tales and other innovative activities.

"Electronic books are good, but kids need tangible board books to relate to and get inspired from, which is why we also sell print books on our web site," says Rana.

Rana was born in India and grew up in Toronto in a family very proud of its Indian heritage. Her father, a journalist, gave her the ability to think and analyse, while from her mother she learnt the importance of retaining culture and one's roots.

Rana studied at the University of Toronto and Heriot-Watt University, in Edinburgh, and did her masters in actuarial science. She is also an associate of the Society of Actuaries.

With over 10 years of business and financial consulting experience, Rana thought of the story time Web site while she stayed home with her two children. "I got the idea a long, long time ago," she says, reliving the once-upon-a-time story tradition. She took a career break in 1996 to be with her one-year-old son. "I wanted to impart my Indian identity to him. He had an insatiable appetite for children's books and tales," she says.

"I was looking for books that would help him learn the symbols of Indian culture and reflect the Indian ethos in a Western setting," Rana says. It was while searching for such books that she found there was a dearth of books on India in the West. She managed to get hold of a few that were available.

So, it was endless story-telling sessions that Binni Rana and other members of the family resorted to, to keep the child entertained. Why not make this a full-time job that earns me revenue as well, thought Rana. Her business expertise helped shape her dream.

She dreamt of a bookstore with shelves stocked with books, picture books, CD-ROMs, hard covers and paperbacks, all for children. They would have one thing in common, though -- Indian content.

Thousands of diapers and one baby girl later, her dream came true when she and her husband Robert, an MBA from Cornell, set up the Web site, www.kahani.com.

The Web site, which was incorporated in August 1999 and has books on Krishna and other characters from the Indian mythology. How Baby Krishna Got His Blue is a delightful book written by Rana herself.

"I want to introduce children to Indian characters. They have seen enough of Barnie and Franklin and need to know more about our culture and heritage, but in an entertaining, fun way," she says.

Naturally then, no preaching methods or religious connotations are used. Simple words with colourful illustrations are a big draw with kids. "How Baby Krishna Got His Blue" and other upcoming story books on Krishna recounts the ancient story from the 15th century Bhagwat Purana, in a version and style appropriate for young children.

Interactive sessions, where children are asked about the tenets of Vishnu or of his 10th avatar keep them involved in a specific story and kids keep coming back to the Web site for more.

Other stories include The March for Salt, about Mahatma Gandhi's march to Dandi in Gujarat over the salt tax. Binni wants special books for tots and children below eight and wants to introduce a discovery series for children aged eight and above, which would provide the necessary adventure, thrill and excitement that older kids are looking for in books. But again the Indian theme would be prominent.

The Web site, besides offering story books in electronic format, also has an art and fun gallery which encourages children to explore their talent and learn more about other cultures through art, poetry, illustration, stories and essays.

"This provides hands-on arts and craft experience for children of all ages," says Rana.

There is also an interactive session in collaboration with Zee TV where children are asked to write letters on culture-related themes and do ethnic illustrations. One such was on "Bill Clinton's recent visit to India".

"We always get adult viewpoints and opinions, but it is interesting to know what children have to say about global events. We have ignored them long enough and it is time to stand up and take notice of their little minds," says Rana. A compilation of these letters will be presented to Chelsea Clinton later.

While topical themes will be included, there are other general issues like "what grandparents mean to children" and "children's favourite foods", among others.

Parent-children activities, as provided in the sections on recipes, parenting tips and the gallery, are some of the other features offered. kahani.com also proves an online bookstore, where children's books can be purchased.

Upcoming offerings include My Grandma and Me and Baby Krishna's Holi Colour Festival. Rana is also considering more fun stories for kids in print, and a foray into CD-ROMs and other electronic formats. And later, perhaps, television too.

There is a growing market for kids and knowing Rana's penchant for tall tales, we know she has a long way to go.

Next: Fighting for the aliens

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