Sambasivan & Parikh | Yali Books
The First Girl on Stage
The First Girl on Stage
Tunga Dances the Yakshagana
Words By: Shruthi Rao | Art By: Devika Joglekar
Tunga’s family thinks she is crazy to want to perform in a Yakshagana aata with the boys and men of her clan. She wants to paint her face, don an elaborate headdress, and dazzle the audience with her costume. Eager to whirl and swirl and fight like the warriors, Tunga just needs a teacher to give her a chance. But getting on stage is only the first step because Tunga has big plans for herself and her family of dancers!
In a gorgeous showcase of a traditional dance and storytelling art form popular in South India, this picture book is a tribute to the pioneering women who have carved out a space for themselves on the stage and beyond. (Picture Book, Fall 2025)
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Meet the Illustrator
Devika Joglekar is an animator and illustrator. She has always aspired to author children’s books, which are not only fun to read but also inspire young readers to learn and discover interesting things. Originally from India, she now lives with her husband in San Francisco Bay Area.