Team Kitaab is in conversation with Vineeta and Arvind Kanoria, authors of Neel- Krishna Through Art (AdiDev Press,2025) to know about their inspiration behind the book.
Vineeta Kanoria has been an educator for over thirty years and has co-authored two books for children aged 4-9 years. She is also an accomplished wildlife photographer.
Arvind Kanoria, whilst being involved in the world of commerce and industry, is also deeply interested in the arts. Towards this end, he did his PG Diploma in Indian Aesthetics from Bombay University and also completed a PG certificate course on the Arts of Japan and Korea from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
About the Book
AdiDev Press’ Neel, Krishna Through Art by Vineeta & Arvind Kanoria is one-of-a-kind book that introduces young readers to the life and adventures of the Hindu god Krishna through renowned works of Indian art. To create a visually engaging experience, each page in the book features a work of art that depicts an episode from the life of Krishna. The artworks come from folk, classical, and modern traditions, and include works by stalwarts like Jamini Roy and S. Nandagopal, among others. Each work is presented alongside text that describes the scene in simple and accessible language, as well as interactive activities that encourage children to consider how art is made and received.
Common Questions
Team Kitaab: Neel, Krishna through Art brings together the worlds of Indian art and Krishna’s stories. How did you both arrive at the idea that these two traditions could be meaningfully combined in a children’s book?
When we had our grandson, we couldn’t find a book that showcased the myriad forms of Indian art in a manner that would be accessible and appealing to a child. So, we decided to write one. We needed a common thread to bind the book. Krishna was the obvious choice because his stories are well known and much loved. Artists of every genre, age, and medium have been inspired by them.