Two women in saris sitting together outside.

A simple voice app for stories in her own language.

Varta began with the women in my family who have lived a thousand lives. Their stories slip out while rolling theplas before a big trip or around the table after everyone else has eaten. I'm building Varta to give these stories a home.

Varta is starting with Gujarati and English, and only available on iOS. Join the beta group to get your invite code or request another language.

Varta

/vaar-ta/

વાર્તા

noun. a story, a conversation, a memory that emerges when you ask the right question (often over chai).

Varta app category list screen with Gujarati and English prompt topics.

Varta app recording screen with Gujarati prompts and saved voice notes.

Tap and talk

Varta is for the mom, aunt, or grandma who doesn't want to write but is always willing to chat. With Varta, she can:

Choose from topics like faith, family, food and more
Tap to record in her own voice and language
Skip around and build her story one voice note at a time

Varta is early and personal, and I'm working on making it better. Please reach out if you have input, ideas, or would like to know more.

Simple prompts. Real stories.

Kitchen

What dish brings a memory back to life?What do you love to make for your children?If food is how you show love, what do you hope people feel?What dish brings a memory back to life?What do you love to make for your children?If food is how you show love, what do you hope people feel?

Childhood

What was your favorite place as a child?What fascinated you when you were a girl?What feeling from that time should your grandchildren know?What was your favorite place as a child?What fascinated you when you were a girl?What feeling from that time should your grandchildren know?

Family Vaat

Think of a vivid memory of your mother or grandmother.Who in your family influenced you the most?What is your favorite story about your father?Think of a vivid memory of your mother or grandmother.Who in your family influenced you the most?What is your favorite story about your father?

Faith

Who first showed you how to pray?Where did you worship when you were young?When did you feel God’s presence most clearly?Who first showed you how to pray?Where did you worship when you were young?When did you feel God’s presence most clearly?

Coming Here

Think of one of your first days in a new country.What was the hardest thing to leave behind?What story from that time should your grandchildren know?Think of one of your first days in a new country.What was the hardest thing to leave behind?What story from that time should your grandchildren know?

Family gathered around a table with cups of tea.

An elder woman leaning toward a child in conversation.

Women sitting together in a family sitting room.

A woman embracing an elder family member near a bright window.

A mother reading with children in a quiet nook by the pool.

A person walking through an old arched gate.

Courtesy of Arjun Lall

I'd love to hear from you.

I'm building Varta for the women who shaped me. Reach out at meenal@whyalchemy.com if you'd like to try Varta with your family, or sign up to be a beta tester.