Little Desi

Online Stories

Epic Indian stories for little ears. Screen optional.

Remember the stories you grew up on? Now Priya tells them to your kids. And soon they'll be the ones telling you!

  • About 11 minutes each
  • Pay once, no subscription
  • Ramayana, Bhagavatam & more
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Watch them. Or just listen.

A clip from Kishkindha Kanda, the fifth story of the Ramayana. Watch the first story for free!

Feels like family time, not screen time!

It has sparked such wonderful conversations at home. It doesn’t feel like ‘screen time’, rather it feels like family time, culture time, and cuddle time all rolled into one!

Padma, Ananya’s mum · Mumbai

The story plays on with the screen off.

Moments you know too well…

  • No tears when the screen goes off. You tap Audio, the picture goes, and the story doesn’t miss a word.
  • Bedtime, lights out. Phone face down on the shelf, room dark, and the voice carries on.
  • Car rides, minus the ‘are we there yet?’ If you like, choose Autoplay and one story follows the next, all the way to grandma’s.

No cartoon guilt while travelling!

The videos are bite-sized gems and the kids keep rewatching them while travelling especially. I feel better knowing they are watching this instead of random cartoons. It’s Krishna-approved value-add screen time!

Jatin, Ayra’s dad · United States

Four editions. Start anywhere.

“Why must Sita’s groom lift and string Lord Shiva’s bow?”

8 stories · 1h 26m

Ramayana Edition

Rama’s epic life, one kanda at a time. With a few twists even you may not know!

  1. about 9 minutes

    Reason for Ramayana

    A sad father’s curse, a play of words between divine buddies and a proud demon’s boon with a loophole. Vishnu fits them together for lokakshema, the good of everyone in the world.

    Play this one free

  2. about 7 minutes

    Bala Kanda

    Rama and Lakshmana set off with Sage Vishwamitra, fight rakshasas and reach Mithila. Why must Sita’s groom lift and string Lord Shiva’s bow?

  3. about 14 minutes

    Ayodhya Kanda

    Queen Kaikeyi asks for two boons, Rama goes into exile without a fuss, and Bharata never wanted the crown. So who becomes the Ikshvaku dynasty’s first queen?

  4. about 15 minutes

    Aranya Kanda

    Rama fights a whole demon army alone, led by Khara and Dushana, and wins. Why do the devas and rishis come to watch this battle?

  5. about 10 minutes

    Kishkindha Kanda

    The search team that goes south hits a dead end. Then Sampati, Jatayu’s brother, shows up. How does his superpower lead to Hanuman’s greatest leap?

  6. about 12 minutes

    Sundara Kanda

    Hanuman leaps to Lanka and meets Sita for the first time. Both face doubt and fear. How do they rise above it?

  7. about 12 minutes

    Yuddha Kanda

    Indrajit, Ravana’s son, has two strange boons that make him almost unbeatable, and the vanara army starts to panic. Who finds a way to stop him?

  8. about 8 minutes

    Uttara Kanda

    Sita returns to the forest, where Lava and Kusha are born. And on his final journey, Rama turns back for one special devotee. Who is it?

One time purchase · Lifetime access

“How does Krishna turn his trick into time travel?”

17 stories · 3h 4m

Bhagavatam Edition

Magic, wisdom and a whole lot of Krishna. The big Bhagavatam, in little bites.

  1. about 6 minutes

    Introduction

    Ved Vyasa writes the Bhagavatam on Sage Narada’s advice, and his son Shukacharya tells it to King Parikshit. Why is the wisest sage of all so sad before he writes it?

    Play this one free

  2. about 10 minutes

    Parikshit’s birth

    Krishna saves baby Parikshit before he is even born. Years later, a prank with a dead snake brings a curse, and the young king has seven days to live. How does he spend them?

  3. about 14 minutes

    Kapilopadesham

    Sage Kardama builds a flying palace for his wife, Devahuti. Years later, their little son Kapila, God in child form, teaches her the secrets of the soul. Why does his own father bow down to him?

  4. about 6 minutes

    Dhruva’s journey

    Four-year-old Dhruva walks into the forest to find God after his stepmother sends him away. He meditates so deeply that even Indra’s dancers can’t distract him. How does he win a place in the stars?

  5. about 9 minutes

    Jadabharata speaks

    A king makes silent Jadabharata carry his palanquin, thinking he is a nobody. Then Jadabharata speaks, and the king bows at his feet. What does he say?

  6. about 6 minutes

    Ajamila’s deathbed

    As Ajamila lies dying, scary Yamadutas come for his soul, and glowing Vishnudutas race to stop them, all because he calls out one name. Which side wins?

  7. about 15 minutes

    Prahlada Charitram

    Hiranyakashipu tries everything to stop his little son Prahlada from chanting Narayana’s name, and nothing works. And father and son both have a secret link to Narayana. What is it?

  8. about 12 minutes

    Gajendra Moksham

    A crocodile grabs the leg of Gajendra, a royal elephant, and Gajendra chants a stuti to Vishnu in perfect Sanskrit. Then the Sudarshana Chakra spins into action. Who was this elephant in his past life?

  9. about 12 minutes

    The dwarf avatar

    Tiny Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu, walks into King Bali’s yagna and asks for just three steps of land, measured by his own little feet. What could go wrong?

  10. about 7 minutes

    Raja Ambarisha

    King Ambarisha is about to end his Ekadashi fast when Sage Durvasa joins him, then takes a very long bath. The king sips a little water, and Durvasa is furious. What happens when the angriest sage meets the calmest king?

  11. about 12 minutes

    Krishna’s birth

    Krishna is born in Kamsa’s prison in Mathura, in his full Vishnu form, with 32 fully-formed teeth. Then Vasudeva carries him through a stormy night, across the Yamuna, to Gokul. Who keeps the baby dry?

  12. about 8 minutes

    Time travel picnic

    Krishna and his friends have a picnic so joyful that even Brahma wants a part in it. So Brahma steals away the boys and their cows. How does Krishna turn his trick into time travel?

  13. about 19 minutes

    Krishna leela

    Krishna dances on the heads of the serpent Kaliya and lifts Govardhan Hill on his little finger. Which cow leaves the king of the heavens for Krishna?

  14. about 15 minutes

    Rasleela secrets

    On a full-moon night, Krishna dances the Rasleela with the gopis, and every gopi gets a Krishna of her own. When someone sneaks into the ladies-only dance, who is it?

  15. about 17 minutes

    Rukmini and Krishna

    Rukmini sends Krishna a secret love letter, and he whisks her away on her wedding day. Later, Krishna sits on a giant weighing scale. What can outweigh him?

  16. about 10 minutes

    Markandeya’s insight

    Markandeya, the sage who stays sixteen forever, asks Narayana to show him how the world ends. Soon he is drifting through oceans of time towards a tiny baby on a leaf. Who is that baby?

  17. about 7 minutes

    Parikshit’s karma

    Takshaka, the snake with a grudge against Arjuna, comes for Arjuna’s grandson Parikshit, and the Bhagavatam’s stories come full circle. Why does Takshaka want revenge?

One time purchase · Lifetime access

I’m enjoying the Ramayana all over again as a parent!

These aren’t just the usual episodes we’ve heard before. Honestly, even I had never come across some of these lesser-known gems!

Kedar, Vedant’s dad · Chennai

“The biggest, brightest moon of the year sweetens milk left outside”

13 stories · 1h 50m

Purnima Edition

A story, a song and a little meditation for every full moon. Mark your calendar!

  1. about 2 minutes

    Introduction

    An old chant says the moon was born from the mind, so a full moon stirs up our thoughts and feelings. Many Indian festivals fall on one, and each Purnima here comes with its stories, a song and a full moon meditation.

    Play this one free

  2. about 5 minutes

    Chaitra Purnima

    Indra was once sent down to Earth to learn a lesson, and temples celebrate Hanuman’s birthday. On the first full moon of the Indian year, a divine guest also opens a fresh page of secret scores on how kind we have been.

  3. about 7 minutes

    Vaishakh Purnima

    Buddha was born, got enlightened and attained Nirvana on this one full moon, and Lord Murugan’s birth star, Vishakha, sits right beside it. It is also the day two childhood best friends meet again after a long, long time.

  4. about 9 minutes

    Jyeshtha Purnima

    Savitri faced the Lord of Death with three clever wishes and won back her husband’s life. In the same month Ganga came down to Earth, and on Ganga Dussehra people take holy dips in the eldest, the boss of all rivers.

  5. about 7 minutes

    Ashadha Purnima

    On Guru Purnima, we bow to Vyasa, the guru of all gurus, and to every teacher we have had, even a traffic jam. In the same month, the Rath Yatra draws a sea of people so big that the British coined a new word for it.

  6. about 11 minutes

    Shravan Purnima

    Draupadi and Lakshmi each tied a Rakhi, and a thread from Yamuna made her immortal. In South India, this full moon brings a serious ceremony, where a thread is worn with three secret promises.

  7. about 6 minutes

    Bhadrapada Purnima

    Ganesh Chaturthi reaches its grand finale, and the day after this full moon Mahalaya begins, when we thank our ancestors. Sita once did pind daan for King Dasharatha, and in Gujarat crowds come to a temple with no idol at all.

  8. about 10 minutes

    Sharad Purnima

    The biggest, brightest moon of the year sweetens milk left outside, and Krishna danced with the gopis on this night. It’s Lakshmi’s birthday too, and one of Krishna’s besties shows up with a story too hilarious to miss.

  9. about 9 minutes

    Kartik Purnima

    Vishnu turned into a giant fish, Shiva destroyed three flying cities with one arrow, and Brahma fought with a very unusual weapon. On Earth, the ghats of the Ganga glow with a million diyas for Dev Diwali.

  10. about 8 minutes

    Margashirsha Purnima

    Andal, a little girl who never went to school, wrote the Tiruppavai, sung at dawn all through Margazhi. On this full moon Lord Dattatreya was born, and with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva all involved, it was no regular baby shower.

  11. about 10 minutes

    Paush Purnima

    The sun turns north for Uttarayan, and Tamil Nadu celebrates for a week, thanking the sun, the cows and even the dustbin. On this full moon, a goddess also cried sweet tears to help us Earthlings survive.

  12. about 15 minutes

    Magh Purnima

    On Magh Purnima people dip where three rivers meet, and in a Kumbh season that bath turns extra special. The month also brings Gupt Navratri, a secret Navratri with no dancing, only quiet time with the Durga within.

  13. about 13 minutes

    Phalgun Purnima

    Lakshmi appeared with a twin who brings lack, and the shortest Vishnu avatar ever hides behind Holi’s origin. On the last full moon of the Indian calendar, we light a fire and splash some joy.

One time purchase · Lifetime access

“And one baby, named in a cowshed, got 1,008 names!”

17 stories · 3h 56m

Samskaras Edition

First bite, first haircut, first letters. Every big day in a life has a samskara, and every samskara has a story.

  1. about 6 minutes

    What are samskaras?

    Our ancestors turned life’s sixteen big milestones into celebrations, the samskaras. Each one comes with its ritual, its meaning and a story of a child from the scriptures.

    Play this one free

  2. about 14 minutes

    Garbhadhana

    Parents-to-be send the universe a cosmic RSVP, inviting a tiny soul into the family with love and a strong sankalpa. And one queen waited her turn for the payasam.

  3. about 11 minutes

    Pumsavana

    The family showers the growing foetus with prayers, herbs and love, wishing it strength and sparkle. And one baby, still in the womb, once got a divine bodyguard!

  4. about 14 minutes

    Seemantonnayana

    The family celebrates the mother-to-be with veena music, bangles and blessings, while the baby sways along in the tummy. And one baby stayed in the womb for twelve whole years!

  5. about 13 minutes

    Jatakarma

    A newborn arrives to hugs, whispers and a touch of honey, and moves from dependence to independence in one magical moment. And a Ramayana secret keeps mothers safe in labour.

  6. about 10 minutes

    Namakarana

    The baby receives a forever name, full of meaning and love, whispered three times into its ear. And one baby, named in a cowshed, got 1,008 names!

  7. about 15 minutes

    Nishkramana

    The baby goes on a first outing, a gentle hello to sunshine, breezes and the big world, with sun prayers and a temple visit. And one baby marched out at six days old!

  8. about 18 minutes

    Annaprashana

    The baby takes a first bite of real food, a little spoon of sweet kheer with a big blessing for a healthy, happy life. And one boy fed God so lovingly that the plate came back clean.

  9. about 15 minutes

    Chudakarana

    The baby gets a first haircut for a fresh start and a bright mind, a symbolic snip that clears past impressions. And one man swore to leave his shikha untied until a king fell.

  10. about 13 minutes

    Karnavedha

    The child’s ears are pierced, a tiny pinch with a big purpose, opening the ears to wisdom. And one boy learnt from a bull, a fire and a swan.

  11. about 10 minutes

    Vidyarambha

    Little hands trace their first letters, ABCs, Om and everything in between, as the child steps into Education Land. Every scientist, lawyer and dancer starts right here!

  12. about 16 minutes

    Upanayanam

    The child receives a sacred thread and a sacred mantra, and steps onto the student’s path as a seeker. The ceremony is half a wedding and full of wisdom!

  13. about 11 minutes

    Vedarambha

    The student begins formal learning, with discipline, seva and lots of questions, from sweeping floors to studying verses. And four students of Adi Shankaracharya learnt a giant lesson.

  14. about 17 minutes

    Keshanta or Ritu Kala

    Boys and girls step into responsibility with grace, and the family celebrates growth, maturity and fertility. In East India, even the Earth gets a four-day rest!

  15. about 15 minutes

    Samavartana

    A student finishes their studies and returns home, ready for life, dharma and new adventures. It is ancient India’s graduation, wisdom cap included!

  16. about 16 minutes

    Vivaha

    Two people and two families join on one journey, with fire, vows and joy. And one girl tried on the temple garlands before they went to Krishna!

  17. about 24 minutes

    Antyeshti

    The family gently returns a loved one’s body to the five elements, and the soul moves on. And a brave boy once asked Yama what happens after death.

One time purchase · Lifetime access

Get all four. Storytime, sorted.

Every story, from every edition, so nobody has to pick a favourite.

  • Ramayana

    8 stories · 1h 26m

  • Bhagavatam

    17 stories · 3h 4m

  • Purnima

    13 stories · 1h 50m

  • Samskaras

    17 stories · 3h 56m

55 stories· over 10 hours

psst… that’s a story a week for a whole year

Code STORYMAGIC is applied to save you

One time purchase · Lifetime access

Ready to play the moment you pay.

Get access in three steps.

  1. Pay. Enter your email while checking out.

  2. Sign in with your email. We send you a code. No password to forget.

  3. Press play. Your stories are waiting in your Library.

My son circles the calendar for full moons!

Every Purnima, we rewatch the Full Moon story and do the short meditation from the video. It’s so peaceful and kid-friendly. My son has even marked circles on the calendar so we don’t miss it!

Neha, Ved’s mum · Australia

Meet Priya, your storyteller

Priya on a hall floor, grinning, with her daughter Devi laid across her lap

Priya is Devi’s amma and founder of Little Desi. Every story here is told by her, with her trademark style, the way only she can.

She dances Bharatanatyam, and was the creative lead of a performing arts institute, which explains the energy 🙂

She has travelled across India, taking yoga and meditation to thousands of preschoolers, students and working professionals. A wriggly four-year-old is nothing new to her.

One more story?

Say yes, every time.

You save · Lifetime access

Frequently asked questions

Will this add to my kid’s screen time?

Only if you want it to. Every story has a Video button and an Audio button. Tap Audio and the picture goes while the story carries on, even with the phone face down on a shelf or deep in your pocket. Bath time, the back seat, lights out: nobody is looking at a screen.

Can we try a story before buying?

Yes. The first story of every edition is free: nothing to pay, nothing to sign up for. Pick one: Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Purnima or Samskaras. If your kid asks for the next one, you have your answer.

What age are the stories for?

For all kids, and for kids at heart. There is nothing to read and nothing to keep up with: your kid only has to listen. A very young listener may want the shorter stories first. The first story of each edition is free, which makes your own kid the best judge.

Which language are the stories in?

In simple English, the way you would tell a story at home. With a little Sanskrit mixed in: words like kanda, purnima and samskara.

How long is each story?

About 11 minutes on average. The shortest is about 5 minutes and the longest about 24, so there is one for a short drive and one for a slow Sunday.

How do we play the stories after we buy?

They are in your Library, here on this website, the moment you pay. To open it, sign in with the email you paid with. We send it a six-digit code, so there is no password to forget. Any phone, tablet or computer will do, and there is no app to install.

How long do we have access?

For life. You pay once: no subscription, nothing to renew. The stories stay in your Library, under the email you paid with. Play each one as often as your kid asks, which will be often.

Still have questions? Chat on WhatsApp