Nurturing Young Talent
I recall an incident from my school days.I think I was in Class VIIth then.Our English teacher had asked as to try writing a poem of 8 to 12 lines on any subject of our choice.Most of us tried our hand at writing a poem.I remember that I wrote one on a subject like respect for our parents.It was based on some thoughts collected from our Moral Science classes in school.I did not show it to my teacher but showed it to my dad who seemed to have liked it and said:” God Bless You.Keep it up !” His smile and a pat on my back-are my proudest memories of those days !
I had a friend,whose mother tongue was English.He wanted to create a good impression on the teacher but did not know how to go about writing a poem.He came to me for help.I told him to first think of a subject and then use his imagination to write some lines on it.
He was still stuck.So I asked him :” How do you come to school ?” ” On foot”,he said.I told him to just imagine if he had a car ! He laughed at the suggestion.I told him that there was no harm in imagining. Somehow,he agreed to the subject but still he found it somewhat difficult to express his thoughts poetically.In order to help him.I wrote the following three lines for him :
” I WISH I HAD A CAR
TO TAKE ME TO MY SCHOOL
AND TAKE ME TO THE BAZAAR…..”
He liked the lines and then enthusiastically wrote some more lines to complete the poem.It was a funny little poem but the teacher read it out in the class and the class loved it and clapped.I smiled at him.He gave me a big grin in return.
Why this sudden nostalgic trip today,you will ask. I will shortly come to the point.This morning,I chanced to read a sweet little poem in “The Asian Age” .It is written by one Class VIth student of Sri Aurobindo International School Hyderabad.The name of the student is Medha Reddy.Here is the poem which impressed me a lot and compelled me to pen my thoughts :
The Light
As rich as a sultan
As poor as a mite
We are all the same
When we turn off the light !
As small as a peanut
As large as a giant
We are all the same size
When we turn off the light !
Red,Blue,Yellow
Orange or White
We all look the same
When we turn off the light !
So may be the way
To make everything right,
Is to reach out to God
Who makes all things bright !!
Hats off to the young budding poetess ! What a simple thought but how profoundly expressed !! May be she was helped by her father or mother or some friend in her class but the poem is a real gem ! What do you say readers ?
Now the suggestion I would like to make is this : Let MUSE make efforts to start a poetry corner for children.Let MUSE think of going to or sending someone to that school at Hyderabad and extend a hand of best wishes to Medha.She can be honoured by giving her a few small gifts like a diary,a set of sketch pens or a pen-ball pen set.This will encourage her as well as motivate other children in her class and in the school. This week is being celebrated as ” joy of giving ” week, so I feel this wee effort will go a long way in nurturing young talent.Ponder on this and send your responses.God Bless You all !
|
|
|
Brocaji, Seeing the authorship, I had a big ‘?’ on my face. How this sudden partnership between a well known Delhi sardarji and a Telugu girl! Then the tale has unfolded itself. What an eloquent gesture from you! I heartily second your proposal and I am prepared to offer my mite. Had I been in Hyderabad, I would have certainly gone to her school and complimented her on your and everyone else’s behalf. HOTY & Medha.
U Atreya Sarma, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Sep 30, 2009
Wonderful suggestion…I endorse that.
Nalini Hebbar, Nellore
Sep 30, 2009
First of all, congratulations to Medha for her simple but very effective poem. She is talented and will improve further if she continues to take interest and write. I wish her well.
Brocaji, your suggestion is indeed good and a timely one. We have been putting our efforts to encourage young talent and have members as young as Hiranya Aditi and Monica. Apurva was very young when she started contributing to Muse India. We have featured works of students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan recently, where Usha Akella had conducted a course in poetry writing. Kumarendra Mallik had persuaded Usha to conduct a half day workshop for school students at NGRI. Earlier, we had featured works of students of Shaadan College where Sujatha Gopal was a teacher. We had toyed with the idea of conducting poetry contests for students in Hyderabad to start with and later cover other cities. We have also been thinking that Muse India poets/ writers could visit schools here to hold poetry reading sessions to generate interest among children in poetry and also to spot talent. To be honest, we have not been able to devote time to give shape to these thoughts.
We seek the help of Hyderabad members to lend their time and support. Those interested may contact me or Mallick. Warm regards,
G S P Rao, Hyderabad
Sep 30, 2009
Dear Jitoo, I first thought Medha was one of your students. Very commendable of you to bring her talent to Muse with a view to encouraging her. I was glad to read T S Chandramouli’s response. Let us hope MuseIndia succeeds in nurturing talent from a young age. Thanks.
Shernaz, Pune
Sep 30, 2009
Dear Atreyaji,Shernaz,Naliniji, Rao Saheb-thanks for your warm feedback ! I think with the help of Hyderabad MUSE-icians, a few hours felicitation and introductory programme can be organised in the said school or some other nearby school. Since Children’s Day (14th Nov) is also approaching I feel it will be a good gesture if Muse can bring a smile on childrens’ faces on that day.I am hopeful that all like-minded Muse-icians based in Hyderabad will surely plan and execute the suggestions seconded by various readers.
J S Broca, New Delhi
Sep 30, 2009
The suggestion by GSP that the Hyderabad poets/writers take initiative in reaching out to schools and holding poetry appreciation and contest programmes is not only welcome and practicable but also a responsible one.
U Atreya Sarma, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Sep 30, 2009
Dear Friend,Nice of you to have brought to light the latent talent of young Medha. Great composition. We are ready to promote the talented and not so talented too, if they have interest to learn. Surya can utilise our services. Regards.
T. S. Chandra Mouli, Hyderabad
Sep 30, 2009
Respected Broca Sir, A praise worthy thought to nurture young talents. I really loved little Medha’s poem, although it was short but had a deep meaning underlying . Warm Regards.
Jasneet Kaur, New Delhi
Oct 01, 2009
I’d have to give the go-ahead with you on this. Which is not something I usually do! I love reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!
Dear Jitoo, Your encouraging nature dates back to your school days; Thoughts of bringing out latent talent is very rewarding like the grin you received from your friend; Many children need that encouragement. Im sure if all of us in our own little ways try to help, we will have many a poet/poetess bring out their talent. Little Medha has given us a thought; lets act on it