Our Story
Our collective wish to introduce our children to lovable and engaging books in our mother tongue — Kannada — led to the creation of Dhee Grantha. While there are countless colourful children’s books available, most of them are in English — leaving a noticeable gap for equally vibrant Kannada books.
At Dhee Grantha, we set out to fill that gap by creating books that children would be excited to hold, open, and read — in Kannada. Our books are designed with intuitive, relatable content and thoughtfully crafted illustrations that make learning the language natural and delightful.
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​To make this journey even more personal and relatable, we created two characters — Paddu and Paaru — inspired by our own children. They are curious, playful companions who guide young readers through stories and ideas, making every learning moment a shared adventure.
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Our content is not only for native speakers, but also for families who wish to introduce Kannada to children growing up in multilingual homes. Rooted in culture yet designed for modern learning, our books invite children and parents alike to read, discover, and connect. We believe each page can sow the seeds of curiosity, belonging, and pride in our language.
We hope to make reading in Kannada a joyful part of every child’s world.
Core Team
Harshitha Syamanur
Founder & Director
A couple of decades of friendship full of chitchats, sharing whimsical ideas and inspiring each other to create an impact.
Nivedita K
Design & Strategy Guide
Collaborators
Based in Australia, Gowthami is a versatile illustrator and designer whose art bursts with life and imagination. Through her brand Vivids and Pastels, she creates enchanting visuals for children’s books and brands. Driven by passion and playfulness, she transforms ideas into colorful stories that inspire and delight.
Gow
Illustrator
Kannada Aksharamaale Series
Based in Chennai, Steffi is an illustrator and software developer who has been crafting children’s illustrations for over 8 years. Her art blends emotion and storytelling, reflecting the beauty of everyday moments. Through her warm, expressive style, she creates characters that children instantly connect with.
Steffi Stanley
Illustrator
Character models of Paddu & Paaru
Upcoming Book
Our family and friends are the heart of our journey. Many have supported us behind the scenes in ways big and small, and though we cannot name each one, their contributions have shaped this venture. If you have helped us in any way, this message is a celebration of you — and we are deeply, eternally grateful.