Niyogi Books and the National School of Drama organized the book launch of Why Can’t Elephants Be Red? by Vani Tripathi Tikoo under the aegis of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav at Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.

The book was released in the august presence of Smt Smriti Zubin Irani (Honourable Union Minister: Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs), Paresh Rawal (Chairperson, National School of Drama & Eminent Actor), Prof (Dr) Ramesh Chandra Gaur (Director, National School of Drama) and the author Vani Tripathi Tikoo (Actor & Producer).

Every book has a journey, but this book has two, according to Vani Tripathi Tikoo. “My first voyage began when I was choosing the book’s title. Because you and I now think like grownups, we have forgotten about all those small red elephants that we had hidden inside of us. I wanted to remember them all. The second journey involved my daughter Akshara, who was only two and a half years old at the time and who serves as the book’s protagonist, Akku, and this lovely family of twelve members in COVID times. She was being raised by these lovely people in Singapore without me, her mother, because I was in Delhi with my mother. These excursions were very special, and it required two countries to raise my kid” said the author.

The story is about Akku who is a two-and-a-half-year-old girl who is enthusiastic, imaginative, and adventurous. She is the beloved of her large joint family and spent part of her upbringing in Singapore and part in Gurgaon. Every new experience brings Akku excitement and inquisitive questions, whether it’s exploring the wonders of swimming pools, sea beaches, and shops, or playing with her beloved puppy and fishy buddies.

She enjoys writing, drawing, and coloring, and her imagination is rife with red elephants, crabs with mustaches, and unicorns without horns. Yet Akku is about to embark on her biggest adventure yet: her first day of school.

Paresh Rawal read excerpts from the book at the book launch event.

Priyanka Dutta