It’s been two years since the students of Kottakkal, from anganwadi to the higher secondary classes, have been listening to the sweet sound of Krishna teacher. This retired teacher has narrated more that a thousand stories via ‘Kadhacheppu’, an online platform where you could listen to her stories.

K Krishna (58), a native of Pandamangalam in Malappuram district, began narrating stories and tales as a way to provide mental relief for children after the schools were shut during the pandemic times. Besides, she aimed to inspire creative prowess and moral values among the listeners. Things became easier when she got the wholehearted support of the authorities of the department of general education. Krishna teacher had initially started ‘Kadhacheppu’ for the little kids of anganwadi. Later, she began including stories that suit various age groups to entertain students of higher classes too.

She was felicitated by the authorities when she narrated stories for over 400 days during the pandemic times.

Krishna says she prefers filming the videos between 9 and 10 at night. She would then send these videos to teachers and the WhattsApp groups of schools. Thousands of students in countries like Australia, Canada, Gulf and Indian cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune wait eagerly to listen to Krishna teacher’s fabulous stories.

In Kerala, students from Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and Kollam mostly listened to these stories. From didactic stories like the Panchathantram tales, Aesop tales and Arabian stories to tales from the epics, legends and folk tales, Krishna teacher opened up a mesmerizing world of stories for her young listeners. Besides, she would also narrate the inspiring life stories of great personalities and freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subash Chandra Bose. Interestingly, she has a special talent to turn the iconic poems of great Malayalam poets like Vallathol Narayana Menon, Ulloor , Kumaranasan, Edasseri Govindan Nair and Sreekumaran Thampi into beautiful stories. Moreover, she also narrated the Paristhiti Katha, a treatise on environment conservation penned by legendary ayurvedic practitioner PS Warrier, in her amazing voice.

A writer herself, Krishna teacher finds joy in narrating or reading her own creations to her listeners. What makes Krishna teacher stand out is her ability to narrate even the longest tale in just under three minutes. Moreover, she wouldn’t forget to ask questions from the story to ensure that the students have understood them.

When the schools reopened after the pandemic, Krishna teacher reached the schools to meet her listeners and tell them stories. She visited many schools in Malappuram sub-district to conduct story camps for the Vidyarangam Kala Sahitya Vedi.

Krishna who had been a member of SCERT textbook committee, trainer at Malappuram BRC and a district resource person is now a full-time social worker.