Varanasi-based art community Mysticeti expands its creative horizons with the launch of 'Bapa Wants Fish,' a limited-edition book exploring emotional resilience and 1990s Odisha.

Key Takeaways

  • Varanasi-based art community Mysticeti has entered the children's publishing space.
  • The debut book, 'Bapa Wants Fish', is inspired by 1990s Odisha and explores themes of family, food, and mental health.
  • The book is a limited edition of 100 hardcover copies, printed on eco-friendly recycled cotton waste paper.
  • Founder Stuti Sareen aims to bridge the gap between complex human emotions and child-centric storytelling.

In a significant move for the Indian indie art scene, the Varanasi-based art collective Mysticeti has officially ventured into children's publishing. Their debut offering, 'Bapa Wants Fish', authored by founder Stuti Sareen and illustrated by Alankrita Amaya, marks a profound shift from pure visual arts to narrative-driven storytelling aimed at younger audiences and educators alike.

A Journey Through Time and Emotion

Set against the evocative backdrop of 1990s Odisha, the book navigates through family rituals, neighborhood dynamics, and the sudden impact of a cyclone. Unlike traditional children's literature that often avoids heavy themes, 'Bapa Wants Fish' bravely tackles emotional complexity, uncertainty, and mental health through the innocent yet perceptive lens of a child. The book is uniquely structured, blending the depth of a chapter book with the aesthetic richness of a picture book, making it a treasure for collectors and parents.

Sustainability and Artistic Vision

Reflecting a deep commitment to environmental consciousness, the limited run of 100 hardcover copies is printed on recycled cotton waste paper. This eco-friendly approach aligns with the broader mission of Mysticeti, a community founded in 2020 to provide spaces where creativity and ideas can find a global audience. Stuti Sareen, whose background includes studying Public Policy at King’s College London and working with the United Nations in Geneva, has seamlessly transitioned her global perspective into local grassroots impact.

Community Impact and Future Horizons

Beyond publishing, Mysticeti’s influence extends through initiatives like 'Kauri’s Kart'—a mobile library in a repurposed van that delivers books and art supplies to children across Varanasi. Sareen is currently building a publishing wing dedicated to stories of cultural awareness and lived histories. Her next project, slated for late 2026, promises to delve into the memories of pre-independent India, continuing the mission to narrate complex human histories through a child's perspective.