Shaniwar Wada
When Pune resident Tania Kamath first considered writing a children’s book, she wasn’t sure what to write about. Then her friend, Ulka Athale, suggested a heritage book for children—an idea that immediately resonated with Kamath. Having worked closely with children, she had noticed their limited awareness of India’s rich heritage and culture. Together, Kamath and Athale co-authored ‘Flashback: Pune – People & Places Around the 1700s’, a book that showcases the city’s vibrant past. But rather than taking a traditional route, they adopted an unconventional, immersive approach to putting the book together.
“In 2016, creating a deeply researched, illustrated book with children as contributors was considered an outlandish idea,” shares Kamath, founder and creative director of The Watering Can Foundation. Yet, when the first edition was well received, it gave them the confidence to expand their work in heritage and cultural education. In 2017, they officially launched The Watering Can Foundation as a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to storytelling through history. Since then, they have published two more books—’Flashback: Cricket – Indian Innings and Happenings Over Two Centuries’ and ‘Freddy’, with a few more books in the pipeline.
A Trip Through Pune’s History
Determined to create a book for children, by children, Kamath and Athale took 12 students from five schools—Vidya Valley in Sus, The Orchid School, Gurukul, Akshara International School and Swadhaa in Pashan—on guided heritage walks. Their route covered Shaniwar Wada, Vishrambaug Wada, Tulshibaug, Kasba Ganpati, Tambat Ali and Burud Ali, all under the guidance of an expert from Pune’s Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) chapter.
“The questions the students asked during the walks helped shape the book,” explains Kamath. Their curiosity guided the narrative, making them true co-creators of the project.
The book features illustrations drawn by the children themselves, alongside contributions from a professional artist from the design institute of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Even the foreword was written by a 10-year-old, Richard.
An Unforgettable Experience
For Tanushri Shirur, who was nine years old at the time, the experience was unforgettable.
“As part of the heritage walk, we visited Shaniwar Wada, Vishrambaug Wada and the bustling lanes of Tulshibaug. Even though I’ve lived in Pune, I had never seen the city like this before. Our guide shared fascinating facts and hidden secrets—it was nothing like learning from a textbook,” recalls Tanushri.
After their walk, the children gathered in the inner courtyard of Vishrambaug Wada, which had been specially opened for them. Sitting there, they sketched what resonated with them the most. “I drew the façade of Vishrambaug Wada and when I saw my illustration in the book, I was so excited!” she shares.
Students’ Role in Storytelling
Anusha Ali, an avid writer and history enthusiast, was 13 years old when she collaborated with Kamath and Athale. “I was involved in the writing process and reviewing the drafts. Since I already had a good understanding of Pune’s history, I could help refine the text to make it more engaging and reader-friendly,” says Anusha. She was particularly mindful that the book should not feel like a history textbook. “We wanted it to be fun, not just informative,” she adds.
Tanushri echoes this sentiment, recalling how the guide explained the significance of Pune’s wadas, the intricate architecture and even the ancient water tank system that once brought water through stone pipes from Katraj.
Creating a Tech-enabled Heritage Book
Anusha was among four students who reviewed early drafts and enthusiastically supported the idea of including Marathi alongside English to create a bilingual book that remained true to Pune’s heritage.
Beyond just text and illustrations, the book integrates technology—featuring QR codes that link to immersive videos showcasing Pune’s iconic sites, historical figures and architectural marvels.
These videos were created by eight students from Dr Kalmadi Shamarao High School, who ventured into the old city to document landmarks and stories and even conduct interviews. Some met 103-year-old Indutai, who has been selling flowers outside the Kasba Ganpati temple for many years.
An Encounter With History
Swapnil Barve, a class 9 student, was among those who contributed to the video footage.
“I, along with my classmates, recorded what we found fascinating—the intricate details of historic structures, the stories behind them and the people who live around them today,” he says. His role extended beyond filming; he also interviewed locals, capturing their personal insights about Pune’s architectural heritage. “It was an unusual but exciting way to learn,” he shares.
The students’ footage was later professionally edited, with nine-year-old Anushree providing the voiceover narration.
A Living History Project
‘Flashback: Pune – People & Places Around the 1700s’ is not just a book, but a testament to the power of experiential learning—where history is explored, not just studied. Putting the book together was a multidimensional educational project, blending hands-on experiences, student-led storytelling and modern technology.
ACTIVITY: Historic Quarters
List 5 historically important sites in your city or town.
