Unmute Summer Camp

Interview with Vibha Batra, Author The Chhau Champ

Vibha Batra on The Chhau Champ: breaking gender stereotypes, challenging tradition, and inspiring kids to follow dreams boldly.
on Apr 27, 2026

Frontlist: The Chhau Champ follows Shubha’s determination to learn Chhau, even when she is discouraged from doing so. What inspired you to write a story around this powerful theme?

Vibha: Cultural conditioning, social prejudice and gender expectations can and do stunt a child’s development. Why are sons expected to carry on the family traditions? Why not daughters? What if the son has no interest in the family business, but the daughter has a genuine passion for it? Why should gender stand in the way of doing what they love/like/want? Why should there be different dress codes and different sets of rules for acceptable social behaviour? I wanted to explore all this and more.

Frontlist: Shubha is a strong and determined young character who challenges traditional expectations. How did you shape her personality while writing the story?

Vibha: I wanted her to be fierce and feisty, confident and courageous, with an unwavering determination to fulfil her dream. Because she is someone who is navigating her personal freedom within a rigid family structure, with a patriarch at the head of the household. Someone who is constantly pushing the boundaries that keep her hemmed in, and breaking barriers, breaking free from expected gender roles, and smashing long-held notions that girls are ‘too delicate’ or ‘not athletic enough’ and ‘can’t perform the chhau’, while she’s at it!

Frontlist: The book highlights gender stereotypes within traditional art forms. Why was it important for you to address the idea of equal opportunities through a children’s story?

Vibha: When parents project their own dreams on to their children, it does a great disservice to children, regardless of gender. What about their own aspirations and goals? Children deserve every chance to go after their dreams. They deserve equal opportunities to showcase their skills.

Frontlist: Chhau is a fascinating dance form that blends martial and folk traditions. What drew you to introduce this particular art form to young readers?

Vibha: I love how rich and vibrant the dance form is. And this story was my attempt to capture it in all its glory and beauty.

Story behind the story: it actually started out as a picture book! I’d envisioned glossy colourful pages, gorgeous illustrations, breathtaking masks, stunning costumes, the works. My editor, Ustad Sayoni felt it should be a longer book. She was right, of course. (When in doubt, always always listen to the editor.) Over time and multiple drafts, it turned into a very, very looong book. Lots of cropping, pruning and finetuning later, it became the chapter book it is now.

Frontlist: The relationship between Shubha, her brother Shayon, and their father adds emotional depth to the narrative. How did you approach writing these family dynamics?

Vibha: I wanted to portray all the messiness and chaos that comes with having opposing views within a family. What happens when dreams collide with tradition? Do loved ones take sides? Do they even feel they are allowed to? Do they sacrifice their goals, all in the name of respecting authority and keeping the peace? Do they keep mum, but do exactly as they please behind the back of the authority figure? Because the decision-making power is in the hands of one person. Until it isn’t. And the family is better off because of it.

Frontlist: The illustrations play an important role in bringing the story alive. How was your collaboration with illustrator Priya Kuriyan in visually capturing the energy of Chhau?

Vibha: I love Priya Kuriyan’s art (those gorgeous crows!). Chhau Champ’s visual storytelling is an absolute delight. The illustrations are utterly joyful. Sayoni and I shared our ideas with Priya, of course. With a heartfelt note: please feel free to ignore.

Fun fact: during school visits and literature festivals, I was amazed to see children dressed up as Shubha, complete with the single pony braid tied with a red ribbon. Exactly how Priya had envisioned them! Watching the character come to life was absolutely goosebump inducing.

Frontlist: You have written across many forms, from novels to graphic stories and plays. How does writing for children differ from your other creative work?

Vibha: Writing for children is no different from writing for grown-ups. It’s equally fun, rewarding, challenging, playful, blissful and anxiety-inducing. As long as we’re not preachy. Please! Homework, exams, mean bullies, overbearing parents, uncooperative siblings, stern teachers—they have so much to deal with it, as it is. Plus, they have enough and more grown-ups telling them what to do—at home, in school, in parks, in pools and wherever else ‘well-meaning’ grown-ups accost kids and dole out gyaan by the kilo). There’s loads of things children have to do, reading boring stuff shouldn’t be one of them.

Disclaimer: In my case, I couldn’t possibly talk down to them. On any given day, I identify as a seven-to-seventeen-year-old, so there’s no danger of talking down to my readers

Frontlist: What message do you hope young readers take away from The Chhau Champ, especially when it comes to following their passions and challenging stereotypes?

Vibha: If there’s one takeaway, I hope it’s this: Believe in yourself. Never let anything hold you back. Go after your dreams with everything you’ve got. You’ll face stumbling blocks, of course you will. Anything worth having doesn’t come easy. But with persistence, dedication, oodles of patience and tons of hard work, you can and you will make it happen. Amen!