When Class IV students turn the pages of their new ‘Kerala reader – Malayalam’ in the coming academic year, they will perhaps have little idea how special it is.
Breaking the entrenched patriarchy in selection of male textbook illustrators, the textbook’s 84 illustrations are done by women artists and female students.
The illustrators include Jain, Sreeja Pallam, Aruna Alancheri, Seema C.R. Panchavarnam, Hima P. Das, Anandavalli T.K., Nisha Ravindran and students Ananya S. Subhash and Bianca Jensen.
This is only Part I of the textbook. Part II has more illustrations done by women and female students from across the State.
“There are many women artists who draw for children but they do not get enough opportunities. Special effort was taken to involve them,” says State Council of Educational Research and Training research officer Rajesh Vallikode, who is the coordinator of the textbook writing committee.
The colourful illustrations are designed to stimulate students’ creativity and encourage them to think. Done in different styles, they take into account the students’ young age and mental development and make learning a fun and engaging experience.
Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty, in a Facebook post, said this was a milestone on the road to women empowerment and equality.
Published – May 15, 2025 09:58 pm IST
