Dancing Hands

This autumn Faber Children's Sumana Seeboruth's charming picturebook Ravi's Dancing Hands and when a Blog featuring the book and a conversation with Sumana was suggested I had to say 'yes.' It's a rich, uplifting book, celebrating family, festivals and traditions, reminding young readers that it’s absolutely fine to be themselves and still follow and even adapt traditions from their cultures.

Read more about South Asian traditions, the inspiration, experience and research that have made this fantastic book, in the words of Sumana led by my questions. If you have one of your own not answered here, please leave a comment!

My first question is about Ravi. Is he an entirely fictional character or are there aspects of him which come from children you know? While Ravi is a fictional character, he is also in part a reflection of my own childhood. I wanted to create a character of South Asian heritage who was born and brought up elsewhere – in my case Berkshire, UK. I remember the excitement of big events, when so many family members and friends were invited that there was barely space to move in the house, and the whole home felt lively, colourful and full of laughter. I also wanted to reflect on the stereotypes and traditional expectations that can shape how, as children, we are expected to see ourselves and others — but to explore this against the backdrop of a vibrant family celebration that brings loved ones together.

There are, of course, other elements of Ravi that resonate with many children I know, including my own. Ravi’s inquisitiveness about the Mehndi party – a celebration which is new for him, and experimentation with his own henna design, drawing patterns onto his hand with a felt-tip pen. We’ve all been there!

How did the idea of giving Ravi dancing hands come about. What, for you was most significant about the imagery and what were you hoping, when you thought of it, readers would understand from it? The original title of the book was actually Henna Hands, but once the words were matched with Sayani’s charming illustrations, it soon became clear that Ravi’s story was about more than henna alone. Ravi adores his sister, who is about to get married, and he is trying to come to terms with the idea of her moving away and wondering whether she will forget him. Over the course of the story, he comes to realise that henna hands do not last forever, but even after they fade, you never truly forget the ones you love. When Faber suggested alternative titles, Ravi’s Dancing Hands felt perfect - it captured something joyful and celebratory, while also reflecting the movement, beauty and emotional significance of Ravi’s hands within the story.

For me, the imagery of dancing hands holds a sense of magic, creativity and connection – and you see that through the scenes when he is sleeping and visualising hands all around him, his interpretation that Madam Mehndi’s application of henna is as graceful as a Bharatnaynam dancer.

Henna is temporary, but the love and memories associated with it are not. I hoped readers would see Ravi’s hands as a way of expressing who he is - his imagination, his love for his sister and his desire to take part in the celebration in his own way.

My readers may know more than I do about Mehndi parties, but could you tell us a little more about their significance and history in South Asian culture? The application of henna dates back thousands of years and has long been used across North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, most likely because the plant used to make henna powder thrives in hot climates.

Its significance and uses therefore vary from place to place. In South Asian cultures, henna is generally associated with celebration and is widely used before weddings as a symbol of good luck, blessings and the bond between the couple.

In the run-up to the wedding, the bride is often surrounded by loved ones while her hands and feet are decorated with intricate designs. These can range from bold and striking patterns to delicate florals, peonies and paisley motifs. Some designs even hide the groom’s name within them, adding a playful element to the tradition.

Ravi not only wants to help with his sister’s party, but to have a role. Although these are often celebrations for women, I understand that in some cultures younger siblings of any gender can be included. Is that the case here, or did you create it for the story? That is correct - every family and upbringing will differ. Traditions can be adopted, but they can also be adapted. For some families, traditions may even be replaced altogether with something completely new.

My own wedding was held at my father’s house in India, and I had invited friends and family from the UK. Many of my male friends who had travelled over for the wedding ended up spending time at the Mehndi party too, eager to get henna designs of their own on their hands, shoulders or arms before heading off.

For me, this moment in the story was important because I wanted Ravi’s aunt to reflect on her own assumptions and embrace a more open view. It felt important to show that adults, too, can learn, grow and change.

Whilst you know and have experienced Mehndi parties did you still find yourself wanting to do some research for this story and where can you do that? Absolutely, and this is a great question. When I wrote this story, I was keen to make sure I was not only capturing the tradition through the lens of my own experience, in case there were aspects I had misunderstood or taken for granted.

I spent quite a bit of time researching some of the ancient rituals and uses of henna, and I also spoke with friends and family about the significance for them of Mehndi parties, henna designs and who is traditionally included in the celebrations. What became clear was that experiences differ from family to family. Some friends followed more traditional customs, where only women attended, while others — especially friends whose children were getting married — had adopted a more open approach, treating the Mehndi party as an extension of the wider celebration with close loved ones.

Why did you a picture book based on South Asian wedding party and henna decoration? What do you think young readers will take away from this story? I wanted to set the story around a South Asian wedding celebration and henna decoration because these moments are so rich with colour, movement, family, music and feeling. They are full of small details that children notice - the patterns on hands, the excitement in the house, illustrations of traditional Indian instruments, relatives gathering, the sense that something important and joyful is about to happen.

For Ravi, the Mehndi party becomes a way into all of those emotions, but also into questions about belonging, change and how he can take part in a tradition in his own way.

Books like Ravi’s Dancing Hands are a wonderful way to introduce children to different family relationships, traditions and cultural experiences. They can broaden perspectives and encourage an understanding of the many ways people celebrate, connect and express their identities. Just as importantly, for many children and families, these stories offer the chance to see themselves, their communities and their traditions reflected in mainstream books.

I also wanted the book to be a celebration of self-expression. Ravi’s journey gently challenges stereotypes and encourages children to embrace creativity, curiosity and acceptance, regardless of expectations about what boys or girls should or should not enjoy.

I hope young readers take away the idea that traditions can hold deep meaning while still leaving room for individuality, imagination and change, and provide a gateway to meaningful conversations whether it’s about cultural traditions, or inspiring creative activities such as designing henna-inspired artwork.

What might we expect to see from you next? You will have to wait and see! But to give you a sneak peak of a story I am editing - without getting into trouble.  It is a story based on South Asian folkore and captures a courageous little girl who finds herself by helping something else!

THANK YOU!