Berry the Bara:
Help build stories of Hindustani heritage
In the Netherlands, a new generation of Hindustani children is growing up in a multicultural society, but their stories, history and identity remain largely invisible — in children’s books, education and the broader cultural landscape. For Hindustani children, this means they rarely see themselves reflected in the stories that are so formative for their self-image. The history and contributions of Hindustanis in the Netherlands are also often underexposed, making it difficult not only to remember heritage but to actively pass it on to future generations. The need for recognition, representation and transmission is great — and calls for new forms of storytelling.
The children’s book series Berry de Bara responds to this. Through Berry, a character based on the beloved Hindustani snack, the bara, themes such as clothing, music and celebrations are brought to life in a playful and accessible way. The children’s book series forms the heart of a broader community project in which stories are not only told, but shaped together with the community. In this way, heritage is not presented as something from the past, but as something that lives, is shared and can be passed on to a new generation.
Who are we?
This project is an initiative of 7th Gen Creatives, Sarnámi Bol, Bara Box, Studio Naz and 3Wish.
We have joined forces because we feel a shared necessity: to give a place to stories, voices and perspectives that often remain out of sight — on our own terms.
We tried to make this possible through funding grants. That did not work out. Even so, we have decided: this work must happen.
Not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. That’s why we’re choosing a different path.
Not crowdfunding, but a community that carries this together.
How do we want to do this?
We are looking for committed members of the Hindustani community who want to hold on to our cultural heritage and pass it on to the next generations. We are looking for people who realize that the survival of our cultural heritage is not a given, unless we ourselves take an active role in it. People who are willing to contribute ideas, time and a small financial contribution to make this project possible.
To be precise, we are looking for 150 heritage-bearers, 150 people who say:
our cultural heritage matters, and we are passing it on.
What does it mean to help carry this?
If you are one of these 150 people:
- You contribute to the creation of the book series with a small financial contribution
- You become part of an active community that gets to help shape the storylines in the children’s book series
- You help make Hindustani heritage stories visible in the wider public domain
Not just as a buyer, but above all as a co-bearer.
How does this work in practice?
You can sign up via this registration form.
After signing up, you’ll receive an invitation to the Berry de Bara WhatsApp community, which will be accessible from September 2026. From that moment on, we’ll take you step by step through the process:
- September 2026 – community launch & first introduction: we share the concept and the first ideas
- October 2026 – February 2027 – development of the story, with regular updates and polls from that point on where you can help shape content decisions
- March 2027 – delivery of the first book with a live book launch, to which you will of course be invited
This way, the book is created not just for the community, but with the community.
What does it cost you?
We want to be transparent about this.
To bring Berry de Bara to life, we’re making three books. For each book we need approximately €3,000 for story development, illustrations, audio recordings and printing.
The creators involved invest a great deal of time and energy in this project because they believe in the importance of Hindustani heritage. With the contributions, we can give them a volunteer allowance in appreciation of their work, while also covering the production costs of the book.
To make this possible, we’re calling on our community to carry this together. With a contribution of €20 per book, we arrive at 150 co-bearers who together form the basis for realizing one book.
This way, we build the series step by step — carried by the community itself.
1. Become a co-bearer
For €20:
- you contribute to the creation of the book
- you become part of the Berry de Bara WhatsApp community
- you help think through the storylines
- you receive the book
2. Contribute extra
Want to contribute more? That’s possible.
With a higher contribution, you’re a co-bearer and you help:
- Enable other community members with less to spend to take part
- Organize additional activities, such as read-aloud sessions, bara workshops, Sarnámi workshops and other cultural and heritage activities for children and families
- Expand the volunteer allowance for the creators
You choose an amount that feels right for you.
3. Support without participation
Do you want to contribute financially, but not be part of the community?
That’s possible too.
You support the project and help make it possible, without further involvement.
Where does the money go?
We use the contributions for:
- printing the book
- developing the story (with a volunteer allowance for writers in appreciation of their work)
- bringing Berry de Bara to life through illustrations (with a volunteer allowance for the illustrator in appreciation of her work)
- audio recordings of Berry de Bara so the book can also offer an audiovisual experience via QR codes
What do you get as a community member?
Are you one of those 150 people who wants to contribute? Then we’d love to give something back:
- Of course, you’ll receive the book
- You’ll be named as a co-bearer of this book in the credits
- You’ll be invited to events, gatherings and follow-up activities
Want to know more?
Want to know more about this project and the possibilities? Contact the project coordinator, Pravini Baboeram: 7thgencreatives@gmail.com
Want to join? Sign up here!