The content is designed to immerse children in "Maa Boli" (mother tongue) through chaste Punjabi sayings and idioms.

Digital ‘Maa Boli’: The Creative Journey of Jalandhar’s ‘Shakkar Parey’

A local animation venture, ‘Shakkar Parey’, has emerged as a digital powerhouse, with more than 60 million views, by offering children stories rooted in Punjabi culture and the mother tongue. 

Created by Jalandhar-based couple Dr Harjit Singh, a former Doordarshan producer, and Tejinder Kaur, a renowned author and professor, the YouTube channel provides a "home-bred" alternative to Western animation.

According to the report, the channel features characters like the naughty twin cats Aliiyan and Pataliyan, alongside others like Dhammak Dhoon. The content is designed to immerse children in "Maa Boli" (mother tongue) through chaste Punjabi sayings and idioms.

Dr Harjit Singh said that the project aims to give children characters they can relate to, reflecting their own environment and values rather than foreign systems.

While the team uses modern digital tools, Dr Harjit expressed a cautious view on artificial intelligence, noting that while it speeds up processes, it cannot replace the "soul" of handmade craft. 

With 256 videos and a growing subscriber base, the creators now dream of expanding their vision into a feature-length animated film, continuing their mission to preserve Punjabi heritage for the next generation.

Source: The Tribune