On this International Day of the Girl Child, we collectively celebrate the potential, power, and accomplishments of young girls worldwide. The day reminds us of the challenges girls face, but it equally emphasizes all the promise they hold. Empowering young girls is the purpose of one such initiative, Chulbuli, created by Rocket Learning to motivate children to take learning, gender stereotypes, and explore their world with curiosity and confidence into their own hands.
Chulbuli, a vibrant and joyous cartoon character, stands for much more than an active animated character; she represents a role model for children-almost specially for young girls in underserved communities. Through her storylines and animated adventures, Chulbuli contests accepted norms while also engaging children and parents in the dialogue on early childhood education. By introducing Chulbuli into educational content, Rocket Learning brings essential life skills to young minds while addressing the barriers many families face when it comes to accessing quality education.
A New Kind of Role Model
Chulbuli: Nothing like your run-of-the-mill cartoon character, she offers a refreshing change from stereotypical representations of girls in media with the very essence of energy, curiosity, and resilience that young girls convey. Chulbuli is more than just a cute girl wearing a dress. Bold and brimming with confidence, she takes on the world—be it playing football or doing wacky science experiments at home and performing on stage. She defies all gender-specific boundaries and implications through her adventures, showing girls that they can do anything, be anyone, and step into a whole world of possibilities.
We spoke to the Chulbuli creators: Sangeeta Bahuguna, the brilliant mind behind the character; Aastha Singh, the narrator in charge of her story; and Arnab Banerjee, the illustrator. They organized an interview and laid bare a few insights into how Chulbuli was born and how Rocket Learning has been using her in service of young girls.
The Inspiration Behind Chulbuli
When asked what inspired them to create Chulbuli, Sangeeta Bahuguna said, “We wanted to create a character who serves as a role model not just for girls but for entire families and communities. From the beginning, we avoided the stereotypical portrayal. Chulbuli is not the type of girl in cartoons; rather, she is a character that children from all walks of life can relate to.”
Chulbuli was designed to break stereotypes about being a girl. She is depicted doing many things girls are not expected to do: sports, science, all coupled with confidence to learn and to lead. This attempt at changing the image of a girl is a deliberate attempt to inspire all other girls to dream and feel that there is no limit to what they can achieve.
Evidence-Based Development
The development of Chulbuli has not, however, been based on guesswork or opinions. Under Sangeeta’s guidance, the entire team conducted research in the communities that they were seeking to serve. “We visited homes, Anganwadis, and local shops, trying to grasp the images of the real world where our target audience lives,” said Sangeeta. “We wanted our stories and settings to be authentic, to reflect the everyday lives of families from low-income communities.”
The result is a character and world that resonate with children, especially those from underserved backgrounds. The environments in which Chulbuli lives and plays—whether it’s a modest home or a vibrant Anganwadi—are deeply relatable to the children she represents.
Aligning Rocket Learning’s Vision with Chulbuli’s Mission
Rocket Learning is committed to making early childhood education accessible to underserved communities. Their core methodology, called the AIM framework—Awareness, Information, and Motivation—aligns seamlessly with Chulbuli’s mission. As Sangeeta explained, “Through campaigns and storytelling, we aim to address the key barriers families face in early childhood education, such as lack of awareness about its importance or misconceptions about intelligence and learning.”
For instance, many parents still believe that intelligence is fixed and that only formal schooling can nurture a child’s mind. Rocket Learning’s campaigns aim to dispel these myths by showing parents that learning can happen at home through simple, everyday activities. Chulbuli’s stories help illustrate these principles, making it clear that every child—regardless of their background—can benefit from early learning experiences.
Crafting Chulbuli’s Stories
The stories of Chulbuli are designed to resonate with low-income families, emphasizing accessible learning methods. Aastha Singh, the writer behind Chulbuli’s stories, said, “We wanted to create a character that embodies the aspirations of young girls. Chulbuli is independent, capable, and empathetic. She makes mistakes, learns along the way, and always pushes forward.”
In her stories, Chulbuli engages with her family and community, breaking down barriers and showing that everyone has value. Her relationship with her cousin Guddu, who has a disability, is a key part of this message. Chulbuli treats Guddu as an equal, teaching children the importance of inclusivity and acceptance—values that are especially important in low-income communities where social stigma is often prevalent.
A Lasting Impact on Girls
What do the creators hope young girls will take away from Chulbuli? Aastha shared, “We want Chulbuli to inspire girls to dream big, to take charge of their education, and to believe in their own abilities. We hope that through Chulbuli, they’ll understand that their worth isn’t defined by limitations but by the courage they show to learn and grow.”
Bringing Chulbuli to Life: The Animation Process
One of the unique aspects of Chulbuli is the style of animation used to bring her to life. Arnab Banerjee, the illustrator, explained that the team chose frame-by-frame cell animation to allow for maximum creativity and expression. “With this technique, we can exaggerate emotions and capture the character’s feelings in a way that resonates with children,” Arnab said. “Chulbuli is mischievous and curious, but she’s also relatable. She makes mistakes, learns, and grows, and this is something children can connect with.”
Positive Reception and Ongoing Engagement
The response to Chulbuli has been overwhelmingly positive. Sangeeta mentioned, “Boys engage with her character just as much as girls, captivated by her adventures and the way she learns through play. Parents have also embraced Chulbuli, often mimicking her voice and sharing stories with their children.”
The serialized storytelling format, where one part of a story is released each weekend, helps keep children engaged and curious, and allows families to stay connected with the character’s journey.
Conclusion
Chulbuli is beyond the cartoon character- she is the face for empowerment of young girls all over. With her playful curiosity, resilient behavior, and an inclusive approach, she urges children to enjoy learning, break boundaries, and dream more than society expects them to. On the event of the International Day of the Girl Child, Chulbuli reminds us that the future shines brightly for young girls, who, with the right set of tools, can achieve whatever they desire.
So if you still do not know her, hop on to Chulbuli’s adventures, and shine a way in empowering yet another generation of girls to dare to dream.
