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Photo: K. Pichumani

FEET FIRMLY PLANTED: Children presenting ‘Engal Vaazhkai Engal Kaiyil’

World Education was started in India in 1942 by Welthy Fischer, who was asked by Gandhiji to start a literacy programme for women in Lucknow. World Education works with NGOs in 35 countries. Devika uses the fine arts as an empowering tool. “When we first went to Avvai Home, an institution for destitute girls, the children were reticent. But after they began to participate in our programmes, a remarkable change has come over them. Why don’t you talk to the girls themselves?” Devika suggests.

Vasantha Parthasarathy, chief co-ordinator, takes me to the green room, where Aswini Kasi, project field officer, is helping the girls with their make-up. Satyadevi, one of the students from Avvai Home, talks of how they went about the whole thing. “We were asked to list the things in society that worried us. Alcoholism, the refusal of parents to educate the girl child, the lack of concern for public property — these were some of the things we mentioned,” they explain.

It is the experiences of the children, their emotions that resulted in the dialogue in the skit that is to follow.

Audience fear? “We are not scared. Even if we forget a couple of lines, it won’t matter. We can improvise. After all, the dialogue came from our own experiences,” says Vasanthajothi. Her friends Sashikala, Akhila, Bhuvaneshwari, Sangeetha and Jayadivya nod their heads in agreement. They are students of classes six, seven and eight.

Time to go on stage. The girls do a perfectly co-ordinated pinnal kolattam. The dance shows how difficult it is for a woman to shake off her shackles. Education is the key to empowering women, the song concludes. As the girls sing “Shanti Nilava Vendum” (Tilang), the lights are switched off, and the stage is lit only by the candles the girls are holding, suggesting that in the midst of despair there is hope. The singers too are from Avvai Home, and do a great job.

Sangita Easwaran had written and set to tune the song “Suzhaladu,” and had also choreographed the piece. Premnath had choreographed the piece Engal vaazhkai. Chandra has helped with the direction. Lakshmi, music teacher, TVR school, had trained the children to sing. “The idea of doing a public performance came from Prince Gajendrababu of Navbharat School,” says Devika.

The boys of Navbharat School had only four days to learn thappattam from Manikandan, but they danced with such verve that the audience erupted in thunderous applause. “Participation in these dances has given me confidence. I am able to communicate better with people,” said Parthasarathy, one of the boys, who performed thappattam. “After a vigorous dance, I am able to relax and concentrate on my lessons better,” said Kannadasan.

What do the parents think?

Jayachandran and Jayalakshmi had come from Theni district to see their granddaughter Ahalya dance. “There is more to education than merely learning things by rote and passing exams. Education is also about spiritual and moral development. I think involvement in the fine arts is essential for every child,” said Kannan, father of Venmanipriya. Manasa and Raviraj have helped Aseema Trust evaluate the impact of such programmes on the children.

Dr. Vasanti Devi, former Vice-Chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, commended those who had helped with the programme. All the participants finally come on stage to sing “Engal Vaazhkai Engal Kaiyil,” to the tune of the swarajathi “Rara Venugopala” (Bilahari). Truly the confidence that the children exude gives one the feeling that their future is in safe hands — their own hands.

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