‘Orange’, a children’s book by Gitanjali Kerkar celebrates the themes of individuality and self-acceptance. NT KURIOCITY gets details
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY
A scientist and children’s book author Gitanjali Kerkar, grew up in Saligao, surrounded by a family of artists and doctors, giving her a unique blend of artistic and scientific influence. She pursued her passion for science, earning a bachelor’s degree from Goa College of Pharmacy and a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences in the U.S., where she now works in oncology research. Despite her scientific career, her love for creativity has always been strong, and storytelling has become her way to express it.
Recently, she launched her book ‘Orange’ at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne, followed by a creative workshop for young readers.
Excerpts from the interview:
How and when did the idea for your book ‘Orange’ first come to you?
It first came to me when I was around 12 or 13 years old. One summer, my aunt Harshada handed me some paper and colours to keep me occupied, and I wrote a simple story about a grey fish born into a family of orange fish. Back then, the story was more about the desire to fit in. As I grew older, the story evolved along with me. I realised that true confidence doesn’t come from blending in, but from accepting what makes you unique. This shift in perspective turned ‘Orange’ into a story about celebrating differences and learning to accept oneself.
How did you come up with the character of Orange?
Orange is based on my own experiences and observations. Despite the little grey fish being different, his parents love him without question. When others point out that he doesn’t fit in, his parents proudly name him Orange, showing him that he belongs just the way he is. The character represents individuality and the importance of unconditional love and acceptance.
What do you hope children will take away from reading your book?
I wrote ‘Orange’ because, as a shy child, I admired the confident, outgoing kids. Over time, I realised that my introversion wasn’t a weakness. I hope ‘Orange’ teaches children that it’s okay to be different and that their unique traits make them special. I also hope parents recognise the importance of supporting and celebrating their child’s individuality. Confidence and happiness come from self-acceptance, and that’s the core message I want readers to take away.
How do you create animal characters that convey human emotions effectively?
I start by focusing on the message I want to convey. I then observe animals in real life to find connections between their behaviour and the theme of the story. For example, the idea for my first book, ‘Buki’, came from watching a cat at the Margao fish market. She had a cozy spot near a fisherwoman’s basket, and her love for fish inspired a story rooted in Goan culture. For ‘Orange’, the inspiration came from my family’s fish tank, which housed several bright orange fish. The little grey fish in my story seemed like a natural choice to convey the message of self-acceptance.
Could you tell us more about ‘Buki’?
It was published by Bimb Publications in Goa. It tells the story of a cat who loves fish but suddenly finds herself without them during the monsoon fishing ban. Through her journey, I explored themes of friendship and the importance of sustainable practices. The inspiration came from my concern about illegal fishing during the off-season and my wish to make the topic more relatable for children. Seeing how well the story connected with readers really encouraged me to keep writing.
What was the most challenging part of writing ‘Orange’? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was updating a story I had first written as a child. The world today is much more nuanced, and I wanted to make sure that the story’s message felt relevant while staying true to its original essence. I overcame this by reflecting on my own growth.
Could you tell us about working with the illustrator and how the artwork helps bring the story to life?
Illustrations are such an important part of bringing a children’s book to life, and I’m so thankful to have worked with Yogita Chawdhary. From the very first sketches, it was clear she understood the characters and their emotions. Her ability to express feelings with simple yet powerful visuals added depth to the story.
After your book was released, you hosted a workshop where children created their own imaginary goldfish. Could you tell us more about it?
The workshop was part of the ‘Orange’ book launch, organised by CAS (Children’s Art Studio at MOG). Since the story celebrates uniqueness, the activity encouraged children to create their own one-of-a-kind goldfish using glow-in-the-dark paints and stickers. It was so wonderful to see their creativity and individuality come through in their designs. The workshop felt like the perfect way to bring the story’s message to life in a fun and interactive way.
Are you working on any new books right now, or do you plan to turn ‘Orange’ into a series?
I have plenty of ideas, especially stories inspired by Goa and my childhood experiences there. My stories often come from observing the world around me, allowing ideas to develop organically. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by nature, culture, and local traditions and I want to reflect that in my writing. For now, writing remains a weekend activity, and I enjoy maintaining that balance. While I’m not planning a series for ‘Orange’ just yet, I’d love to explore themes that feel authentic and meaningful, such as self-discovery, resilience, and environmental awareness.
