Nov 12 2025 to Nov 12 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

What happens when a child grows up beside a forest and lets the wild become his teacher?

In Initiated into the Wild, Ishan Shanavas, a 22-year-old bestselling author and environmental educator, traces his journey from rescuing snakes and frogs as a schoolboy in Rishi Valley to travelling across India in search of its vanishing creatures. Through stories of tigers, snakes, and mountains—from the rainforests of the Western Ghats to the high Himalayas—he reflects on what it means to grow up in a time of ecological loss, and how curiosity can become a bridge to empathy and conservation.

The evening will open with an introduction by Tara Kini, followed by a talk by Ishan Shanavas, who will share personal reflections from his book The Light of Wilder Things. A short film on Ishan’s journey of educating children about wildlife will then offer a glimpse into his world, setting the stage for a conversation between Ishan Shanavas and Darius Sunawala on wildlife, storytelling, and conservation.

The session will conclude with an open Q&A with the audience

Speakers

Ishan Shanavas
Author
Ishan Shanavas is the 22-year-old bestselling author of The Light of Wilder Things, a memoir chronicling his journeys through India’s forests, mangroves, and coral reefs in search of its vanishing creatures. A TEDx speaker and environmental advocate, Ishan’s work lies at the intersection of storytelling and ecological awareness. His national environmental education program, Eco-Inspire, has reached over 25,000 students across India, fostering curiosity for nature and conservation. Through features on CNN-News18, Scroll, Mongabay, and numerous others, he continues to inspire curiosity for the natural world. He is a recent graduate of Ashoka University, where he studied Environmental Studies, Sociology, and Entrepreneurship.

Tara Kini
Educator & Musician
Tara Kini has devoted her life to nurturing curiosity and creativity in young minds through music, storytelling, and learning. Her journey began at 14, when she started a neighbourhood Bal Vihar where children gathered to sing, share stories, and explore ideas. Trained in both physics and Hindustani classical music, she has taught and performed across these disciplines, always inspired by the courage and individuality of her students. As co-founder of Sunaad, she has brought the essence of the Upanishads and the beauty of Dhrupad to schools, colleges, and diverse audiences. For Tara, the greatest reward lies in awakening wonder—whether it’s a child exclaiming, “We never knew the Vedas were so cool!” or a student reimagining her work across continents.

Darius Sunawala
Radio Professional & Podcaster
Darius Sunawala has been one of Bangalore’s most popular radio professionals. In 2000, he abandoned a successful MBA course to pursue a career with All India Radio. Over his three-decade-long career, he has hosted prime-time shows, designed and set up radio stations across the country, and served as National Creative Head of Fever 104 FM. In recent years, he has turned to podcasting, theatre, comedy improvisation, and organic farming in Ooty, where he spends his time pretending to work—while mostly daydreaming and stalking unsuspecting birds.