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The evergreen Rozarios

PHOTOS : S. JAMES

INSPIRING Full of energy

The tiny tots were singing full throttle and swaying their hands to “Everybody likes to take a holiday…” The atmosphere was so charged up that I couldn’t resist joining them, with a little hip here and a little hop there, clap ping hands and tapping the feet. It was all so spontaneous and enjoyable.

But 15 minutes into it, I ran short of breath and on the sly slipped in to a chair behind the prancing group. Ashamed I was because a group of four women guiding the pre-KG, LKG and UKG children showed no signs of tiring. Brimming with energy, they moved from one song to the next and every child joyfully participated. Till one voice boomed: “Children, go back to your seats.”

And in a split, they were all gone without a sound. They better, because the voice that reverberated in the hall was that of “everyone’s favourite – Mrs.Rozario”.

For this week’s cover I spent a rapid fire but delightful morning session with Madurai’s famous “Rozario sisters” at the SDH Jain Vidyalaya, Sellur. And returned truly astounded by their energy levels and enthusiasm for their age.

Mrs.Myrina Rozario, 59, who is fondly known as “the Ms.Rozario” , the kindergarten teacher from 1979 at the Jain Vidyalaya. Her elder sister, Mrs.Jean Rozario, 60, is popular by her first name, and has been with the same school since 1980. Their eldest sister, Mrs.Noreen Malacca, 64, who taught in St.Joseph’s Convent for 45 years and joined SDH two years ago. And, her daughter, Michelle Malacca, 41, who joined in 1985.

This quartet of “mother-daughter, sister-sister, aunt-niece” at Jain Vidyalaya has been the backbone of English medium schools in the city since the 1950s. In fact, the Rozario’s have two more sisters, Mrs.Revina Rozario, who works in TVS School and Mrs.Andrea Rozario, working in St.Joseph’s Matriculation School.

The five sisters were actually known as the “Fernandes sisters” till they married into the Rozario family. Nudge them a little to know why were they well known? “For being the loving and caring sisters….more we are together, the happier we feel” – they sing.

Where from do they derive all the energy? “Children” – is the spontaneous answer. “They make us come alive. I like them to be topsy-turvy and do whatever they want in their own way. But they got to listen to us too,” says Myrina.

Singing and dancing comes naturally to these Anglo-Indian teachers, also respected for being punctilious in work, meticulous in appearance and gregarious and lively in speech and customs.

Born in a middle class family, their father worked in an insurance company and mother was a tailor. They studied up to High School and none of them had any formal teacher’s training. Except for the next generation Michelle, who as per demands of changing times has done a Montessori Teacher’s Training Programme.

“I love teaching. When I was a student, I remember my teacher telling me, ‘you are not good’. It hit me and as I grew up I always wanted to reach out to children, help them shine. I never stop the children from what they want to do, I never give up saying a child doesn’t know or can’t do. I make them learn my way,” chirps Myrina.

Echoes her sister Jean: “We come down to the level of a child’s understanding. We try to understand and learn their mind. And we ourselves do what we tell them to do. Our entire teaching is through enactment.”

“Simply standing in front of students and lecturing doesn’t help. We need to stimulate their minds, arouse their curiosity. And singing, dancing, talking, painting are the most joyful and best methods for children to learn,” reiterates Michelle.

What they all agree and are grateful about is the school management’s attitude. “There is no retirement age for us,” they smile. “The school has given us full freedom and is always very supportive of all our activities.”

“The parents have confidence in our style of teaching and the syllabus we follow. Those who have been our KG students three decades ago are bringing their children to us today,” Jean can’t hide her pride.

Since their Anglo-Indian speech is a synthesis of English and Hindustani in an accent and lilt that is entirely their own and bereft of the Tamil dialect, many parents want their children to have the basic training in English language under the Rozario teachers.

“We do stress a lot on pronunciation and speaking skills. That is why we are slow in progress. I repeat every word, rhyme, lesson a 100 times till my child is perfect,” tells Myrina.

And then follows an instant demonstration. The students roll and twirl their tongues to rattle off “rat/pat/mat/dog/pot” in a rapid fire. Those who do, come up with 10 new rhyming words in the same time frame. Indeed, it is amazing to hear the small children follow every instruction carefully with a glee.

I ask about the good old days of girlhood and Myrina chuckles instantly: “Those were the happy days, we shared with our family. Our community was full of gregarious, fun-loving, musical and convivial people, there was merriment with lots to eat and drink always.”

“Though our families were not rich, but nothing stopped us from celebrating either birthdays or weddings, Christmas or New Year, baptism or a dance ball as one big family bash,” says Michelle.

“Our homes were always open and no guest would ever leave without having a puff or a slice of cake baked at home by the hospitable lady of the house,” says Jean, who loves to bake, cook and feed all.

“Christmas was undoubtedly the greatest day of the year. Preparations started months ahead and celebrations from December 21. Bands, dancing and parties ended with old time favorite musicals rolled out of the piano. All that bonhomie is gone now. Most of our people have migrated to other countries and the new generation is not as open and fun loving as us,” remarks Myrina, who hates cooking but loves singing and dancing.

“Today’s generation is living in a different time with new set of challenges. They are a much cooler lot trying to absorb everything,” quips niece Michelle, fond of sweets and tangy paani-puri.

The seniors may have reconciled to the changing times. But what they have not lost is their spirit and energy. Their ability and capability to produce generations of discipline has bred an esprit de corps in the school and outside.

Despite numerous better offers, they continue to work in post-retirement age, for their sheer love for children and teaching.

When they walk past in the school corridor, heads turn in admiring recognition. When they meet their old students in public places, heads bow in respect.

These are our happiest moments, to be recognized as good teachers, they assert. And having said that, they still ask me: “Are we really so good?”

It is this humility and dedication that makes them so sought after even today.

REFLECTIONS

Many a Maduraiite fondly cherishes and owes a debt to these Anglo-Indian Kindergarten teachers, a happy mixture of the East and the West who were always on top of the popular list.

Says Jitendra Golcha, businessman: "I can never forget the experience and enjoyment I attained from their special coaching at the Seventh Day Adventist School in the 70s. Today, I have put my child in LKG under their care and guidance because I know nobody can teach her discipline, punctuality and accent the way they can. The Anglo-Indian teachers are the pride of Jain Vidyala."

"Nothing like growing up in the right hands," comments Shyam Rathode, an ex-student, now working in an MNC. "The Rozarios are very passionate about their job. I know my daughter will benefit under their tutorship. They are remembered for their playfulness and fun and also strictness when needed."

"My best years were the KG years under the Rozario teachers. I wanted my daughter to have the same foundation in English language and etiquettes. They have not changed at all, retaining the same zeal and fervour," shares Hapin Lalan, a hotelier.

For textile exporter S Manikandan, nobody other than the Rozario teachers could have taken better care of his son and daughter at the kindergarten level. "The way they treat a child, coach them is very different from other schools. I remember I used to be very afraid of them and at the same time enjoyed every activity with them."

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