Sudha Umashanker's storycorner: Recent Episodes
Sudha Umashanker
Once upon a time there was a red hen who lived in her home in a tree. Not far from where she lived as a sly fox who had been wanting to eat her up. He sets out with a bag one day and gets into her home when she steps out. He tries to trap her but what happens? Listen to this Ladybird book by Fran Hunia read aloud by Sudha Umashanker.
Would you believe me if I told you that you could make some delicious soup with a stone to start with? Well this is how a tramp looking for a place to stay made for an old lady who let him stay at her house for a night. Listen on to find out more as Sudha Umashanker reads this lovely story
We all know that Holi is a festival of colors. But there's a lovely story behind the celebration as well.Find out about the evil plans hatched by the demon king Hiranyakasipu who happened to be the father of Prahalad a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and how he was outwitted and taught a lesson by Lord Vishnu as Narasimha.Also learn about how Holi got its name and why people splash colors during this festive occasion
This episode recounts the building of the Ram Setu-the great bridge in the Ramayana. How was the bridge built,what was it made of , who was the engineer ...A special story to commemorate World Storytelling Day which falls on Mar 20,2024 .The theme for this year is Building bridges and what better than the story of Ram Setu. The narration is by Sudha Umashanker
If you were wondering why we celebrate Maha Shivarathri you need to look further than the Samudra Manthan story and how Lord Shiva saved the world
What is the significance of Karthigai deepam which we celebrate in the Tamil month of Karthigai ?.What happened between Shiva and Parvathi that day? And why do we light countless diyas to mark the festival. Sudha Umashanker tells you the story in Tamil which has been adapted from the Thiruvannamalai temple website
This is the story of how Karthikeya the warrior God took birth and how he fulfilled his mission of vanquishing the mighty asura Soorapadman. This is why this battle celebrated as a festival is called the Soorasamharam. Adapted from Amar Chitra Katha 's publication Karttikeya
The festival of Navarathri celebrates the female energy ,the mother of the Universe known variously as Durga or Jagadamba. Over the nine days and nights many demons are destroyed. This episode describes how Durga vanquished Mahishasura
The festival of Navaratri spanning over nine days and nights celebrates Ma Durga, her valour, courage and numerous forms and reminds us of the triumph of good over evil .This episode tells you more
This is a story from the Ganesha purana. It is about how a simple blade of grass was used to teach a lesson to a king and prove a point to a sage's wife by Lord Ganesha
The birth of Lord Krishna ,the butter thief,the ever mischievous child is celebrated in a grand manner by devotees. But did you know that even before He was born He and his parents had to face many obstacles! Kansa vowed to kill this child as soon as He was born but how did Krishna escape his clutches ? Listen on
Lord Karthikeya's birthday is celebrated as Vaikasi Visagam in India. Known variously as Shadanana, Skanda,Kumara or Muruga ,Karthikeya was born for a very special purpose. The story of His birth is equally interesting. Listen on to Sudha Umashanker 's narration for more
This is a very sweet story of a little bear who wants to be as big as his mother when he grows up. Read to you by Sudha Umashanker, Writer, Storyteller and Founder Storycorner at Bookmine
Vaikunta Ekadesi is a very important festival for followers of Lord Vishnu.In this episode Sudha Umashanker tells you the story around this festival and explains the significance around the many rituals
This episode was created to share stories about issues that affect women everywhere. It contains two #Metoo stories-A discordant note about a student and her voice coach and Love,deceit and exploitation about a garment industry employee and her boss.These stories were earlier recorded as videos for the NGO Prajnya founded by Swarna Rajagopalan which works in the area of Gender Equality, Peace and Security and Prevention of Gender violence
The Kedara Gowri viratham or Kedareeswarar Nombu is an important festival that follows Deepavali. This is the story of how this important festival came to be and how it is observed. Listen to Sudha Umashanker reading from the traditional text
There are at least two stories that tell us why we celebrate Deepavali. The slaying of the demon Narakasura and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing Ravana.Who was Narakasura? What was the boon he received? How was he born? At whose hands did he die? And why do we follow the various rituals. Listen on to Sudha Umashanker who knits it all together in this episode.
The Ganesh Chathurthi festival is a very popular festival for Hindus and many non Hindus in India! The elephant headed God is loved by many.This story from the Ganesha purana tells you more about why people observe the birthday of Lord Ganesha to seek His blessings
Krishna and Sudama were childhood friends.Their friendship continued into adulthood and was what a true friendship is all about.Sudha Umashanker reads aloud "Friends" published by Giri Trading
Once upon a time Anansi the king of the spider got a lovely present- a bag of wisdom. He was told to share it.Anansi wasn't happy about this as he wanted it for himself. What do you think happens in the end? Listen on The reading is by Sudha Umashanker
Once upon a time there lived a clever spider called Anansi. He wanted all the stories that the Sky God had.When he asked for it the Sky God laid down three conditions. Was Anansi able to fulfill them? Listen on and you will find out.The reading is by Sudha Umashanker
Once upon a time there was a boy who was visited by a penguin .He thought the penguin was lost and did all he could to help .Finally he decided that they would sail together in a row boat all the way to the South Pole .What happens after that? Listen on for a surprise ending
Once upon a time there was a little fish called Terence.He couldn't swim very well or as fast as his Dad who was a champion swimmer.Terence was upset about it but his Dad encouraged and coached him .Terence practiced hard for a few months and finally his efforts paid off. Terence had become a winner in the end.The book is read by Sudha Umashanker
Do you think that people in the world are kind enough? What can we do to show our kindness to all living creatures? This book shows you all that you can do to make the world a kinder place. The reading is by Sudha Umashanker
Superworm is a wriggly, squiggly superhero who always helps his friends wherever they are in trouble .Once when wizard lizard has Superworm captured and threatens to feed him to his hungry crow, Superworm's friends come together to hatch a clever plan and save his life. Listen to this reading by Sudha Umashanker
Today we celebrate the 2584th birthday of Gautama Buddha who was born in Lumbini.Who was Gautama Buddha ?What were his teachings? How did he become enlightened? Listen to this podcast by Sudha Umashanker for some answers
To celebrate Lord Rama's birthday today Sudha Umashanker narrates three well loved tales from the Ramayana.The first one is about how He overpowered Tadaka the demoness, the second is about His love for creatures big and small and how the squirrel got its stripes and the third is about Hanuman's love for Lord Rama.
The Abirami Anthathi is a great work of Tamil literature composed by Abirami Bhattar while he was literally in the jaws of death. As Goddess Abirami appeared miraculously Abirami Bhattar was saved.Listen on to find out how
This a very old Indian folk tale.When a group of monkeys took away all the caps in the cap sellers basket while he took a snooze,the cap seller was very upset and angry. Then an idea struck and it worked like a charm .Listen on to find out what happened and how the capseller got his caps back
Shivratri is a very important festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.There are many stories about this festival.Sudha Umashanker shares one story about a hunter from the Shiva Purana in this episode.Listen on to find out how he was blessed by Lord Shiva on Shivratri when he spared a deer family and also unintentionally performed pooja to a Shivalinga.
This is another fable from Aesop about a lion who was getting all ready to eat a hare for dinner.As luck would have it a stag ran by at that moment. The lion decided tjat the stag would make for a bigger meal and went chasing it.So what did the lion eventually get to eat?
This story is another popular and well loved tale from Aesop's fables about a shepherd boy who used to take his sheep to graze a long way off. Getting bored while doing so he thought he'd pretend a wolf had come by and call out for help. It worked once or even twice .Listen on to find out how it panned out
This story from Aesop's fables is another well loved story about a hungry fox who wanted to eat a bunch of grapes. But then when he couldn't sink his teeth into them despite his best efforts what did the fox do? Listen to Sudha Umashanker read The Fox and the grapes!
This well known story from Aesops fables about thirsty crow who was longing for a drink of water on a hot summer's day is an old favourite. Rather than get upset about his situation he thought up of a clever idea and sorted out his problem .Hope you enjoy this reading by Sudha Umashanker
Once upon a time an old man planted some turnip seeds in his garden .He watered and cared for them and in time many turnips began to grow.But one of the turnips was huge. What did the old man do?
Once upon a time there was a little gnome who was very annoyed that he had to stay home. Then one day Mother Tree gave him some words of wisdom which made him feel better. What did she tell him? Listen on to find out
Pongal or Makara Sankranthi or Lohri or Bhihu is a popular Indian festival that celebrates the Sun God and is a time to give thanks for the bounteous harvest and remember our farmers.There are many traditions around this festival and in this episode Sudha Umashanker ,Journalist and Storyteller pieces it all together #Pongal#SudhaUmashanker
In this wonderfully imaginative story a little girl named Alice has some simply unbelievable adventures .It seems as if it will all never end until.......Do enjoy this story read aloud by Sudha Umashanker
While Christmas celebrations have become more commercial and tend to focus on presents, gifts and goodies in this episode Sudha Umashanker Journalist and Storyteller focuses on the true significance of Christmas- the birth of baby Jesus in a stable, the visit of the shepherds who heard the news from an angel and the three wise men and many other miracles