Children try their hand at shadowgraphy. Picture by Arnab Mondal

A white sheet, a torch and a pair of hands are all that is needed to tell a story in pictures. Two masters of shadowgraphy mesmerised a bunch of kids and even shared a few of their secrets at a fun-with-learning session hosted by young moms.

Mothers of 40 students at Modern High School for Girls, who came together six years back to conduct workshops for their daughters, had invited artistes Amar Sen and Sabyasachi Sen for a show-cum-workshop at Poddar Niketan recently.

“It is a headache for mothers to send their children to different co-curricular classes. So why not have them at home, we thought,” said Manisha Sureka, mother of Shrestha, explaining the idea behind Little Explorers.

Having tried everything from a joyride on a tram to yoga, dance and drama workshops, Manisha and her gang hit upon shadowgraphy to keep their children engaged. “If our daughters can learn dance, drama, singing and painting why not hand shadows?” asked Manisha.

Amar Sen and Sabyasachi Sen presented a short story about how a duckling fell into trouble when he did not listen to his mother.

“It was interesting to see how hand shadows can tell stories and also teach us moral values at the same time. I loved the way the story was narrated and how different characters were formed by folding hands and fingers,” said Mehek Kataria.

The show proved to be a great hit as the kids were eager to check out what was going on behind the scene. “I have attended many workshops organised by my mum and other aunties but this was very different. It was very exciting and great fun,” said Vasavi Poddar, a Class III student.

“Millions of stories can be told through hand shadows,” said shadowgraphy artiste Sabyasachi Sen. “All other art forms need some equipment be it canvas or paints but shadowgraphy is the only art form that requires nothing except our bare hands.”

“It is sad but there are very few people who practise this art form,” said Amar Sen, who along with his partner taught the girls to depict birds flying and a dog chasing a man through shadows. “To learn this art, it would take at least six months,” he added.