Tales on the terrace

Stories, like old songs, have a way of resurfacing, finding new audiences and fresh contexts. On the evening of December 14, Chennai's Art on Terrace transformed into an intimate haven for such a tale, as author Renuka Narayanan breathed life into Mahadev, her 2019 book.

- AASHNA REDDY

Though it was published years ago, Renuka's storytelling session proved that some narratives aren't bound by time; they ripple forward, carrying their wisdom into every new listening ear.

"Mahadev is a collection of stories that makes you fall in love with Shiva over and over," Renuka explained. Penguin India had commissioned her to write a book about the God of Gods, and she had approached the task with her hallmark creativity. "I started with a little girl asking, 'Who is Shiva?' It's a family story that unfolds into generations of wisdom, temples, and legends across India."

In the golden glow of the terrace lights, Renuka chose to narrate