Ramayana reimagined: Jumbaya brings India’s timeless epic to life for a new age generation

In today's fast-paced digital world, where young minds are constantly bombarded with distractions, a visionary initiative is emerging to captivate hearts and nurture young souls while preserving the sanctity of a timeless Indian epic - the Ramayana. The Ramayana, deeply interwoven into the cultural fabric of India, is not just a story, but a sacred scripture, a moral compass, and a repository of wisdom that has been passed down through generations. Bizz Buzz interacted with Shreya Sarda and Shailesh Prithani, who are the moving spirits behind the venture.

In the small town of Beawar, situated in the heart of Rajasthan, a visionary named Shreya Sarda recognized the profound potential of the Ramayana to positively shape young minds. Shreya, the daughter of esteemed physicians Dr Pradeep Sarda and Dr Ketaki Sarda, possess a unique blend of talents. As a professional graphic designer, she was drawn to the art of storytelling, seeing an opportunity to instil values in children while bringing the epic narrative to life. With degrees from IIT and NID and a master's in design from the prestigious National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, Shreya embarked on an entrepreneurial journey in Mumbai, establishing her own company, Designflyover (DFO). Importantly, Jumbaya, the platform we're about to explore, closely aligns with her visionary mission.

Jumbaya is not just an app; it is a portal to an educational and entertaining world meticulously crafted for children. Within this app, a treasure trove of educational stories awaits, stories that resonate deeply with the hearts and minds of young readers. These tales are beloved not only by children but also by parents keen on imparting cultural values and heritage to their offspring.

A hallmark of Jumbaya is its unwavering commitment to providing a safe and ad-free environment for children. In an era when digital content is often marred by advertisements and questionable material, Jumbaya stands as a bastion of child-friendly content, offering parents peace of mind as their children explore the realm of stories and knowledge.

This rendition of the Ramayana beautifully incorporates the original Sanskrit shlokas, preserving the authenticity of the text. It is based on the critical edition of the Ramayana, widely accepted as the closest representation to the original version. This commitment to accuracy ensures that young viewers are introduced to India's rich literary and cultural heritage in its purest form.

At the core of this extraordinary endeavour are Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) collaborating with Jumbaya to craft enchanting narratives based on revered epics like the Ramayana. Drawing from eight months of extensive research, the series ensures an authentic portrayal of Valmiki's Ramayana while tailoring it to captivate today's young minds. Presented as an animated read-along read-aloud storybook, this innovative approach seamlessly combines visuals and text, enriching vocabulary and reading skills.

Jumbaya takes this experience a step further by incorporating Same Language Subtitling (SLS), displaying spoken words as text on the screen. This facilitates the recognition of the correlation between sounds and letters, further enhancing vocabulary and fostering a sense of autonomy in reading abilities. Each 6-10 minute episode is thoughtfully designed to sustain engagement, promote comprehension, and cater to the shrinking attention spans of children. With a profound understanding of modern education and a keen awareness of the pitfalls of highly stimulating animated content and shallow engagement, this series thoughtfully redirects young minds towards more purposeful experiences - experiences that cultivate empathy, loyalty, friendship, forgiveness, and much more.

Shreya Sarda and her husband, Shailesh Prithani, both embarked on this mission with a shared passion for education and cultural preservation. Shreya, Jumbaya's Content Lead, fondly reminisces about the power of stories that shaped her childhood.

"In a world brimming with obligations," reflects Shreya, "I reminisce about my childhood shaped by folktales, classics, and, in particular, the timeless epic, the Ramayana. These stories, lovingly shared by my parents and grandparents, were more than just tales; they were the compass that guided me through the intricacies of life.

As Jumbaya's content head, I've noticed how we overlook the power of stories in our quest to provide the best education and schedules for our children, missing the magic of storytelling. I couldn't help but wonder- where is their Ramayana? Where is that captivating, values-rich narrative that not only entertains but also imparts wisdom, morality, and a sense of cultural heritage? It's a question that drove me to embark on a journey to create something truly extraordinary for the young minds of today.

At Jumbaya, we believe that stories are more than just words on a page or images on a screen. They are the vessels that carry the values, morals, and culture of our past into the future. Our hope is that 'Ramayana: The Journey of Sita and Rama' will become a guiding light for the leaders of tomorrow, just as the Ramayana was for me. It's more than an animated series; it's a bridge connecting generations, channelling Ramayana's wisdom to today's kids, a tribute to the stories that shaped me."

"We are thrilled to unveil 'Ramayana: The Journey of Sita and Rama,' a series that reimagines how children experience and connect with our culture, history, and ancient stories," said Shailesh Prithani, CEO & Founder of Jumbaya. "Our mission is to ignite young imaginations and foster a lifelong appreciation for our rich cultural heritage. Guided by rigorous research, we harness the power of technology to immerse children in the cultural treasures of our past. This is just the beginning of our journey; we are committed to unveiling a tapestry of awe-inspiring series in the near future. Together, we are igniting the flames of curiosity and cultivating a lifelong love for learning, one captivating story at a time," he added.

In a world that celebrates cultural diversity, parents increasingly seek ways to introduce their children to the rich heritage and traditions of the world. "Ramayana: The Journey of Sita and Rama" offers a powerful avenue for parents to impart the values and stories of their culture to their children. It serves as a bridge between generations, enabling parents to share the timeless wisdom of epics and mythologies in a format that resonates with today's tech-savvy youth.

"Ramayana: The Journey of Sita and Rama," an animated over 70 episodes series that seamlessly merges the magic of storytelling with the wonders of technology, now beckons young minds to explore and enjoy. Shreya and Shailesh, this husband-and-wife duo, have meticulously crafted this offering for children worldwide. It is time for the younger generation to experience the enchantment of this epic, and thanks to Shreya and the dedicated team at Jumbaya, this journey is now within their grasp. As the Ramayana once again takes centre stage, it carries with it the hope of nurturing a new generation of individuals who embody the timeless values and lessons it imparts.

So, let us wholeheartedly welcome this extraordinary series into our lives, a gift from Shreya Sarda and Jumbaya to children and families worldwide. Here's to the beautifully imperfect characters who will guide us through the myriad emotions we experience as humans. Here's to the epic in all its grandeur.