The writer (front row, second from left) with her vibrant cast and supporting teacher Parimala (front row, left). Photos: CHANDRIKA NAIR
I must've been around five years old when I saw my father acting as the archangel Raphael in the play Tobias And The Angel. It’s based on the book by James Bridie. I guess that was the pivotal point in my life when my interest in literature, drama and the arts began. I was yearning to watch more such dramas even at that age.
Then my father took me to see a Shakespearan play directed by Geoffrey Kendal, who was the father-in-law of famous Hindi actor Shashi Kapoor.
As a child, I vaguely remember having seen the late Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer acting in a Shakespearan drama in Muar. In those days, Kendall’s theatre company staged plays not only before royalty but also in small towns in Malaya and India. Even at that young age, I remember being smitten by the suave Kapoor’s good looks. His chiselled features and the way he articulated in perfect English made me an ardent fan of his.
My interest in drama could have been fanned by my late father, K.V. Nair, as he was fondly known, who was a Literature and English Language teacher – or was it just simple genealogy, I often wondered.
Anyway, this fascination for drama continued and I soon found myself taking part in plays. I won a prize in an elocution contest for delivering Mark Anthony’s famous speech in the play Julius Caesar – and the credit goes to my father who had rigorously trained me, especially in fluency and tone.
In my school days, lines from Shakespearean dramas were often quoted; many a school-going child would've been familiar with Shakespeare, especially those who studied English Literature in the upper forms. The literary and debating societies of the schools in Muar, my hometown, often organised inter-class and inter-school debates and elocution contests which saw the school halls filled to capacity.
The writer's dad, who taught her everything about drama, debating and public speaking.
My father’s efforts were not in vain. I later trained both my children in the art of public speaking and both won prizes in story-telling at the state level. Again, I was not sure whether it was genealogy or effort – I guess it was both.
During the 1990s, however, I don’t remember my children being involved in inter-school debates or drama competitions in English. I guess all such activities may have dwindled or halted as the years rolled by.
Today, such events are almost unheard of in most schools. Children are rarely given opportunities to participate in English debates, participate in dramas or even trained for elocution contests in English. What a sad state of affairs!
However, that passion in me for the literary arts was ignited again when I found opportunities to train children to debate and participate in drama and speech contests organised by the Sathya Sai Baba organisation, Seremban, where I volunteer as an educator in human values.
I guess I wanted to see that same spark that was lit in me by my father, in my students who came for the classes. Of course, with integration of values being the main focus, I revelled in writing scripts for plays, teaching students stage craft, the art of projecting their voices, pronunciation and enunciation, facial expression – the whole works.
It was indeed fulfilling to see them win in drama and choral-speaking competitions over the years at national Sai conventions. One such event took place on April 8, when my students participated in a drama themed "Unity in Diversity".
They had practised with great fervour as they were excited to face an audience of over 400 at Asia Pacific University, which was a rare opportunity indeed.
Although the whole play was pre-recorded, they enacted that play with such ease and confidence, and received accolades from the enthralled audience. I was so proud of them!
My years as a volunteer teacher and also an English teacher-trainer at Raja Melewar Teaching Institute, Seremban, have made me realise that in every child there is a spark waiting to be ignited and an innate talent that is to be discovered.
With proper training in literary skills, children can overcome their shyness to have better audience awareness and increased confidence in talking to people and the ability to hold attention at forums and presentations.
I am indeed so blessed to have been handed down that legacy from my late father who I am sure is beaming from heaven at how the spark he lit has blazed a trail for so many others to develop their inner potential, improve their quality of life and even facilitate their employability.
