Stories That Sing: Abhishek Talwar at the Vizag Junior Literature Fest

The LitLantern for Culture and Literature Welfare Society successfully hosted the sixth edition of the Vizag Junior Lit Fest at Hawa Mahal, Visakhapatnam, on November 8 and 9. The weekend was a vibrant celebration of imagination, discovery, and the joy of growing through stories. The festival’s core aim was to introduce children to the world of books and ignite a lifelong love for reading, literature, and language.The Lit Fest inspired children to imagine, be curious, and actively participate in a variety of activities; including storytelling sessions, theatre and performance art workshops, and interactive sessions with their parents, resulting in a well-balanced and enriching festival experience.

Voices Behind the Stories:

Yo! Vizag had the wonderful opportunity to speak with some of the most creative minds and inspiring voices from the world of children’s literature who headlined the LitLantern Festival in Vizag. These individuals are shaping the next generation through stories that inform, entertain, and empower.

One such voice is Abhishek Talwar, the creator of Biplob the Bumblebee and the Colonel Zoro series. His work uniquely combines storytelling, sustainability, and Indian culture for young readers. A former brand strategist and certified environmentalist, Abhishek now co-runs his own publishing venture with his wife, Ruchi Talwar, bringing authentic, value-driven stories to children across India.

Exclusive Interview

What follows is an insightful one-on-one conversation with Abhishek Talwar, where he discusses his creative journey, his inspiration behind Biplob the Bumblebee, and his mission to nurture eco-conscious storytelling for children.

Interviewer: What first sparked the idea for Biplob the Bumblebee?
Abhishek Talwar: It actually started quite organically. My wife and I used to take these long road trips every December, where we’d drive almost 3,000 kilometres across the mountains with our kids. As they grew older, they started asking us questions about nature, animals, and the world around them. To keep them entertained, I began making up stories on the go.

One day, while reading to them, I deviated from the script of a book because I found the story rather dull. My wife asked why I was changing it, and I said, “Because my story makes more sense.” She challenged me to write my own stories, and that’s how Biplob the Bumblebee was born. Soon, it became a little game between us. She’d call me and say, “Bring a story back for the kids by the end of the day!” and I’d write one.

Interviewer: At the time you began writing these stories, what were you doing professionally, and how did your wife influence your decision to pursue writing more seriously
Abhishek Talwar: Initially, I was working in brand solutions, a managerial role, not directly creative. My wife, Ruchi, who’s a life coach, always told me I was in the wrong line of work and that I should be writing. She believed in my creative side more than I did!

Interviewer: How long would it take you to write one story back then?
Abhishek Talwar: It wasn’t about time, really. I’d start making up a story, and it would just flow as long as we had time.

Interviewer: And how did that first story turn into a published book?
Abhishek Talwar: We had about ten stories written when Ruchi said, “Let’s publish these.” She actually took the lead.She invested her own money, found an illustrator, and even reached out to publishers. We sent a copy to Penguin, but it got misplaced. We later somehow managed to get someone from the editorial team to review it. A week later, they said they wanted to publish it! That’s how The Adventures of Biplob the Bumblebee came to life.

Interestingly, the book made it to the Nielsen Top 500 list twice that year. That was when I realised we had something special.

Interviewer: What are these stories about?
Abhishek Talwar: Biplob the Bumblebee uses a bee as the protagonist to explain the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through short, engaging stories. We simplify complex ideas like environmental balance, coexistence, and sustainability for children.

We also have Biplob Learner Books for ages 2–5, where parents can read along and engage in simple activities, and Colonel Zoro books for slightly older readers (ages 6–14).

Interviewer: You also design board games, right?
Abhishek Talwar: Yes, I love board games! We’re among the very few Indian companies that have STEM-authorised, globally certified educational games. Each of them ties into the same learning philosophy of “fun with a purpose”.

Interviewer: You are a certified environmentalist. How has that influenced your writing?
Abhishek Talwar: It’s deeply connected. For me, “environment” includes not just nature but social security, safety, health, hygiene, and nutrition; all of which make a community sustainable. Those ideas naturally shape the themes of my stories.

Interviewer: What usually comes first: the character, the story, or the message?
Abhishek Talwar: Always the message. Each book has a core lesson, and then I choose which character and setting would best bring it to life.

Interviewer: What values do you hope your readers take away from your books?
Abhishek Talwar: Integrity and ethics. Without those, nothing else matters. I also believe in truth, not sugarcoating or avoiding uncomfortable realities. Children deserve honesty, and they’re capable of understanding it.

Interviewer: What’s next for you and Biplob the Bumblebee?
Abhishek Talwar: We’re working toward animated adaptations of our stories. There’s a lot of content out there with hidden agendas, and we want to create something genuinely positive, with an authentic Indian essence. Our stories are set in India, and we want that “Indian-ness” to be seen as something cool.

Interviewer: What inspires you the most?
Abhishek Talwar: The gaps I see in children’s content. There’s so much room for stories that are both meaningful and fun. I don’t have to look far for inspiration because it’s right in front of me.

Interviewer: If you had to describe Biplob and Colonel Zoro in one word each?
Abhishek Talwar: Biplob is “joy.” Zoro is “belief.”

Interviewer: What advice would you give aspiring children’s authors?
Abhishek Talwar: Writing for children comes with a huge responsibility. What you write helps shape how they see the world. So, don’t dumb things down, don’t preach, and don’t disguise propaganda as storytelling. Children are far more perceptive than we give them credit for.

Interviewer: You and your wife work together. How do you make that partnership work?
Abhishek Talwar: With a lot of mutual faith. Ruchi believes in my creative instincts, and I have unshakeable faith in her judgment. She keeps our organisation grounded. Honestly, none of this would have happened without her.

The Vizag Junior Lit Fest 2025 was a heartwarming reminder that literature has the power to inspire even the youngest minds. Through initiatives like the LitLantern for Culture and Literature Welfare Society, children in Visakhapatnam are being given a platform to imagine, express, and grow.

Creators like Abhishek and Ruchi Talwar show that storytelling is not just about entertainment, it’s about shaping values, sparking curiosity, and nurturing a sense of purpose in the next generation. As the lanterns of literature continue to shine bright, events like these ensure that the love for stories and learning will keep glowing for years to come.