Kalila wa Dimna: Stories Without Borders

Q: Kalila wa Dimna has been an important part of children's childhoods in the Arab world for many decades. How would you describe it to someone who is not familiar with the title?

Rashid Al Muraikhi: Kalila wa Dimna is one of the most celebrated works of storytelling in the Arabic literary tradition. For generations, it has been part of childhood across the Arab world, introducing young readers to a world of talking animals, clever adventures and memorable life lessons. Through wit, wisdom and humour, its fables explore universal themes such as friendship, loyalty, justice and human behaviour.

With origins in the Sanskrit Panchatantra, the work travelled across languages and cultures before being translated into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ in the eighth century. Its enduring appeal lies in the way these timeless stories connect generations, inviting children and adults alike to discover, imagine and reflect together.

Q: What inspired the idea behind the display? Why is it important that people from a wide array of backgrounds are able to experience the stories presented within Kalila wa Dimna?

Al Muraikhi: The display was inspired by the enduring power of Kalila wa Dimna to connect people across cultures, languages and generations through storytelling. Its animal characters explore universal themes of friendship, wisdom, loyalty and human behaviour that continue to resonate with audiences today. We felt this would appeal to both children and their parents.

At the MIA Library, we wanted to bring these stories to life by connecting their animal characters with objects from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection, such as the Jewelled Falcon, Blue Monkey and Glass Fish. These unexpected connections invite visitors to explore the relationship between literature, art and material culture in an engaging and accessible way.

By welcoming children from all backgrounds, we hope to celebrate our shared human experiences, encourage curiosity across generations and introduce younger audiences to the richness of Islamic literary heritage.

Q: How did you approach selecting the objects and manuscripts, and how does it help to portray the stories?

Al Muraikhi: Our approach was to consider how the collection could tell a story of its own: not only about the narrative of Kalila wa Dimna, but also about the ways in which these stories have been preserved, illustrated, interpreted, and shared over time.

Manuscripts and their illustrations offer a particularly rich way to explore the work. The animal characters bring the narratives to life, while the calligraphy, composition, colours and decorative details reveal the artistry and craftsmanship involved in producing these books. Each object provides a different point of entry, whether through its visual imagery, its literary content, or its material history.

We wanted visitors to appreciate both the stories themselves and the remarkable artistic traditions that developed around them. By bringing these elements together, the display invites visitors to look closely, make connections and discover how books can serve simultaneously as vessels of knowledge, works of art and bridges between cultures.

Q: What was the most challenging part of translating a tome of this historical literary significance into a contemporary display?

Al Muraikhi: In 2015 MIA had an exhibition called Marvellous Creatures which showcased many of the stories of Kalila wa Dimna. We used this exhibition as the starting point for the children’s display in MIA Library.

One of the greatest challenges is presenting the depth and complexity of a work with such a long and layered history in a way that feels accessible and engaging to children. Kalila wa Dimna is much more than a collection of animal fables; it reflects centuries of intellectual exchange, literary adaptation and artistic expression. The challenge is to honour that historical richness without overwhelming children with information. We want children to understand the significance of the work while also feeling free to enjoy the stories, respond to the illustrations, and form their own interpretations.

Q: Which insight into Islamic art or Kalila wa Dimna stood out to you most during this project?

Al Muraikhi: What stands out most is the extraordinary ability of a story to travel and transform while retaining its essential message. Kalila wa Dimna moved across linguistic and cultural boundaries, and each transmission created new opportunities for interpretation, artistic expression and engagement with its ideas.

Q: Which aspect of the display are you personally most excited for visitors to experience, and why?

Al Muraikhi: I am most excited for visitors to discover the stories through the display and to recognise how relevant these centuries-old narratives remain today. There is something special about seeing a child respond to an animal character, ask a question about an image or begin to understand the lesson behind a story that has been told for generations.

Explore What’s On to discover upcoming MIA Library displays, events and activities.

Hissa Al Hitmi is Digital Editorial Coordinator at Qatar Museums.