The Kuwentong Jataka (Jataka Tales) podcast is launching in the Philippines to introduce Indian traditions and culture to young Filipino kids.
The Jataka Tales is the oldest and best-known collection of Indian literature that features Buddha in his different forms until he was able to attain enlightenment. While traditionally in a form of a book, Jataka tales was launched into a podcast series where one can listen to it for free. And as a way to develop a more harmonious cultural relationship with the Philippines, India is reintroducing the Jataka tales podcast, this time for the Filipino kids.
The Indian Embassy in Manila, together with the partnership of Areté Ateneo, has developed and launched a podcast series of 12 short and engaging episodes that will be narrating one story from the Jataka Tales in the Filipino language. The podcast will be named, Kuwentong Jataka. The Filipino version will also feature and tell stories that originally belonged to ancient Indian storytelling traditions.
The Indian Embassy in Manila was the one who funded and conceptualized the overall project, from the translation of the stories, illustrations, and the entire production of the podcast which was carried out by their partner, Areté Ateneo, and the Filipino Language Department of Ateneo de Manila University.
As Jataka tales play a significant role in learning about Buddhist literature and Indian tradition and culture, the Indian Embassy sees this project as a way for children to be able to reflect on these stories through the characters and their imagery, “With a numerous and memorable cast of characters, powerful imagery, and a moral at the end to reflect upon makes these stories appealing to children across the world,” the Indian Embassy shares.
India’s Philippine Ambassador, Shambhu Kumaran also says that this initiative can serve as a beginning to rediscover the strands of connection between the Philippines and India. According to Kamaran, they strongly believe that we need to be able to rekindle our cultural ties and spirit, and these stories are highly essential in fulfilling that vision.
Kumaran also shares that the Indian embassy is open to partnering with the Department of Education (DepEd) if they are open to considering incorporating the Jataka Tales into the country’s educational curriculum, as Jataka Takes can impart a lot of moral and universal values to children and learners, “We will, in our conversations with the DepEd, request their consideration to include such stories as part of their curriculum, because you do have stories from different parts of the world. And we would request that these stories also could be considered for inclusion.” Kamaran shares in an interview.
The Kuwentong Jataka (Jataka Tales) podcast is available for free on the official website and YouTube channel of the Indian Embassy and Areté Ateneo. The podcast series is also available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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