FUSION FUN

India-born British writer Chitra Soundar's 'Nikhil and Jay' series, with its focus on dual heritage kids, is now an animated sitcom in the UK

- MEERA SURESH

It is a windy day in London, but young Nikhil and his brother Jay are upset. The kites Appa ordered for them have not yet arrived, and the local stores have none, too. The boys are disappointed, but not for long. Well, if they can't buy kites, they might as well make them. With some help from Amma and Appa, Nikhil and Jay make their own kites—red and green ones with yellow for the tail. They all drive to the big field and have a fantastic time flying them.

This sweet nugget is from Flying High, the fourth book in the 'Nikhil and Jay' series, authored by India-born British writer Chitra Soundar. The books feature two fictional young brothers, Nikhil and Jay, who are always on the go, soaking in life lessons. But there is more to Nikhil and Jay that makes them unique. They are British Indian children, born to an English father and an Indian mother. They represent thousands of dual-heritage kids in the UK.

So, it is little wonder that CBeebies, a television channel run by the BBC for children in the UK, chose to adapt the series into an animated family sitcom. The Nikhil & Jay series, which began airing last October, showcases their little escapades and their understanding of their dual heritage, customs, traditions and family dynamics. The show is produced by King Banana TV and Paperowl Films with support from CAKE Entertainment and Northern Ireland Screen.

For the BBC, the decision to screen