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Three students of Mar Ivanios College make it big on the small screen
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Thara Balachandran
For many talented youngsters, television spells success and fame. Mega serials, live shows and numerous youth-oriented programmes provide a platform for articulate youngsters to earn and learn.
Priyanka, Thara Balachandran and Reshma U. Raj, all students of Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, are familiar faces on the small screen.
"The star-value and recognition that I get in college give me a great deal of satisfaction," says Priyanka, a final-year student of Physics in Mar Ivanios College. One might have seen her as Vinduja in `Umakkuyil' or Meenakshi in `Magham' or as the ghost in `Akashadoothu.'
Film roles
Thara Balachandran, a second-year student of Mass Communication of the same college, will soon appear as Dileep's sister in her maiden film `Kochi Rajavau,' the shooting of which is going on in Kochi. She acts as Ganga in `Kavyanjali' and `Devi,' and as Neelima in `Suryaputhri.' She also appears in many shows and serials. "Along with recognition, the contacts with famous artistes in the field help us," she says.
Ganga, Devi, Sita... Thara maintains that she does not get confused with the wide range of characters she plays.
Priyanka Nair
Academics
Although both of them are busy small-screen actresses they aver that their first priority is academics.
Their busy schedules sometimes leave them with no time for classes or college. Attendance shortages and missed classes create problems. But they say that their teachers help them cope with academic work. "I am allowed to do the practical I miss, when time permits. The teachers cooperate wonderfully," points out Priyanka.
"Instead of allowing lessons to pile up, I study whenever I get the time as I may not have the time to work just before an examination. Sometimes, we might be the ones who study more," explains Reshma, who anchors the live show, `Veettu Visesham' on Doordarshan. Reshma is a first-year student of B.Sc. Chemistry. She had also anchored a programme called `Super Super' on Surya. They admit that that they miss some of the fun on the campus. "One does miss classes and life on the campus. But I don't regret it as I have a great time and make the most of the time I am in college," says Priyanka.
"I have got good friends," adds Reshma.
Savings
Reshma U. Raj
As of now, these up-and-coming stars have no problems with their parents handling their finances. While a part of their income is spent for their expenses, the rest is deposited in their savings accounts or handed over to their parents. Apart from their acting and studies, most of them are involved in many cultural associations.
Thara has a dance school called `Sargakshethram,' while Priyanka is the State president of Deshiya Bala Jana Sakhyam and an active member of all the co-curricular activities in the college. Reshma is a dancer in her own right and has won a number of awards.
Reshma and Priyanka plan to complete their graduation and then embark on a career. Thara aims at taking a doctorate in Kuchupudi, setting up a dance school and becoming a choreographer.
RESHMI RAVI
Photos: S. Gopakumar
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