NEW DELHI: For a few hours every Tuesday, the distinction between reading, playing and learning blurs at Khwab Ghar — the “house of dreams” — in the heart of Nizamuddin Basti.Spread across two floors, the space comes alive with children reading books, drawing on blackboards lining narrow passages, making art, playing games and taking part in theatre and music activities.What began as an open-air library in a local park later moved into small rented rooms before finding a permanent home across two floors in 2023.
Reading is only the beginning
Tuesday’s Open Library, run by Aagaaz Theatre Trust, is centred on books, but reading is only the starting point. Children freely explore the colourful bookshelves before joining read-aloud sessions, art activities and games that bring stories to life.Recently, a reading session around the book Power Cut turned into a lesson in shadow puppetry, with children using their hands to create shadows on the walls.The building’s narrow passages are filled with children’s chalk drawings, while paper cut-outs made by them hang around the space. Posters of poets adorn the walls alongside shelves packed with books.The collection caters to different reading levels, and children are not expected to arrive with any particular reading ability.“The idea is to help each child engage with books at their own pace,” says programme director Alia.
Learning through play
The team does not describe what happens at Khwab Ghar as “teaching”. Instead, they call it “learning” — something that happens naturally through play, conversation and art.For children from the basti, the space offers a world markedly different from their regular school environment.Jasmine, 10, who attends the sessions with her younger sister Ilma, says, “In school, there is a lot of fighting. Some boys come and trouble us, and I can’t study well. Here, we eat, play, and dance. It’s fun.”The safe and welcoming environment has also given both sisters the confidence to express themselves. Today, they share a newfound dream of becoming professional dancers.
Finding themselves in stories
Books, too, have become a way for children to discover stories and characters they connect with.For one child, The Tree in Me is a favourite, while others are drawn to stories featuring animals and a wide variety of characters.There are no strict roll calls or attendance registers at the Open Library. Yet, on a typical Tuesday, around 30 to 40 children reliably make their way to Khwab Ghar.Here, there are no marks, tests or compulsory lessons. There are simply books to discover, stories to imagine and a space where children can learn — at their own pace.
