Our Journey
5,000 Years ago…
For centuries the stories have enchanted the hearts and minds of adults and children alike. These mystical stories take you to a wonderful place in India where Krishna enjoys many playful adventures with his loved ones, heavenly gods and wicked demons.
Peacock Picture Books celebrate these stories with captivating illustrations and are brought to life through the essence, spirit and emotions of these delightful adventures.
We aim to keep these ever-fresh, delightful stories alive and accessible for today’s generation. Our inspired team have worked closely together to create unique, child-friendly storybooks. We have taken great care to ensure these stories have been kept true to the original text, so they retain the rich heritage of the Bhagavat Purana.
It now gives me great pleasure to share our first book, Krishna, The Butter Thief. An enchanting story of how Lord Krishna, who cannot be caught even by great mystic yogis, is conquered by love.
Our Team
Our Author
Renuka Dosaj
Whether it’s through the medium of visual art, music, dance, or drama, I believe in creating beautiful art that speaks to the soul and helps foster a wise and loving modern world. My illustrations feature expressive pencil lines, watercolour, or other traditional media, and digital techniques to synthesize elements of Indian and Western art traditions.
Growing up in an environment where I was immersed in devotional art, kirtan, and the epic poetry of India awakened me to my inner self at a very young age. These early experiences were the catalyst for what has become a lifelong journey into the heart of bhakti-yoga and transcendental art. I hope to share that sense of enchantment and wonder with people through my work.
My formal study of art began with occasional lessons from my grandmother, Rosemary, who was an accomplished painter, and continued at university in the United States and in Italy in the 1990s. Later, I was an apprentice to Srimati Syamarani Didi from 2001 – 2008 in Vrindavan, India, where I had the opportunity to study Bhakti Art with personal guidance from my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.
Somewhere between the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean and the sparkling silver currents of the Ganges River, I continue to learn and grow in my creative and spiritual life. Meeting Renuka was a watershed moment for me that has sparked a beautiful collaboration
Our Artist
Manjari Dasi
Whether it’s through the medium of visual art, music, dance, or drama, I believe in creating beautiful art that speaks to the soul and helps foster a wise and loving modern world. My illustrations feature expressive pencil lines, watercolour, or other traditional media, and digital techniques to synthesize elements of Indian and Western art traditions.
Growing up in an environment where I was immersed in devotional art, kirtan, and the epic poetry of India awakened me to my inner self at a very young age. These early experiences were the catalyst for what has become a lifelong journey into the heart of bhakti-yoga and transcendental art. I hope to share that sense of enchantment and wonder with people through my work.
My formal study of art began with occasional lessons from my grandmother, Rosemary, who was an accomplished painter, and continued at university in the United States and in Italy in the 1990s. Later, I was an apprentice to Srimati Syamarani Didi from 2001 – 2008 in Vrindavan, India, where I had the opportunity to study Bhakti Art with personal guidance from my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.
Somewhere between the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean and the sparkling silver currents of the Ganges River, I continue to learn and grow in my creative and spiritual life. Meeting Renuka was a watershed moment for me that has sparked a beautiful collaboration
Our Designer
Anupama Dasa
Whether it’s through the medium of visual art, music, dance, or drama, I believe in creating beautiful art that speaks to the soul and helps foster a wise and loving modern world. My illustrations feature expressive pencil lines, watercolour, or other traditional media, and digital techniques to synthesize elements of Indian and Western art traditions.
Growing up in an environment where I was immersed in devotional art, kirtan, and the epic poetry of India awakened me to my inner self at a very young age. These early experiences were the catalyst for what has become a lifelong journey into the heart of bhakti-yoga and transcendental art. I hope to share that sense of enchantment and wonder with people through my work.
My formal study of art began with occasional lessons from my grandmother, Rosemary, who was an accomplished painter, and continued at university in the United States and in Italy in the 1990s. Later, I was an apprentice to Srimati Syamarani Didi from 2001 – 2008 in Vrindavan, India, where I had the opportunity to study Bhakti Art with personal guidance from my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.
Somewhere between the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean and the sparkling silver currents of the Ganges River, I continue to learn and grow in my creative and spiritual life. Meeting Renuka was a watershed moment for me that has sparked a beautiful collaboration
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my spiritual teacher, Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja and to my spiritual guardians of devotion, by whose inspiration and blessings this book has been possible.
I have been honoured to have worked closely with such creative and knowledgeable advisers. To my wonderful team, who have contributed their expertise, love, passion, and patience throughout the project.
My dear friend Manjari; for her amazing creative vision and outstanding illustrations. A warm thank you to my husband; who has loved, encouraged, financially supported and believed in me. Anupam Dasa; for assisting with layout and design. Syamarani Didi; for all her creative advice. Vaijayanti Mala Didi for editing the book. Rsabhadeva Dasa; for proofreading the book. Raga Dasi; for creating the website.
I would also like to express my deep appreciation to my family, friends, contributors and critics for their advice, continued support and encouragement: Kiran Raghuvanshi, Sundar Gopal, Nandini Sharma, Lila Kamala, Sri Sudevi, Radhika Ahuja, Rasa Manjari and Shamita Kumar.