A master story-teller

`R. K. Narayan, the greatest Indian story-teller' was the subject of discussion on the first day of a two-day seminar organised by the Research Department of the Bharathi Women's College, last week. Mr. N. Ram, Editor, Frontline, gave the keynote address.

Being the author of a biography on Narayan ` The Early Days' he had interviewed him several times. He described how `subtle intricacies and rhythms of South Indian life' are captured in Narayan's works. Mr. R. K. Ramachandran, younger brother of Narayan recalled their life in Mysore, where they grew up.

Mr. V. R. Narayanaswami, former HOD, Department of Humanities, Anna University, was the moderator. He explained how Narayan portrayed simple and ordinary people in his imaginary town `Malgudi'.

There were seven paper presentations by students from the Bharathi Women's College, the Queen Mary's College, the Quaid-e- Milleth College and the Justice Basheer Ahmed College.

Skits based on Narayan's works `Swami and his Friends' ` The Man Eater of Malgudi', `The Guide', `Truth is like the Sun' and `The Snake in the Grass' were presented by the students of the Bharathi Women's College. Colourful charts and models depicting scenes from the works of Narayan were on display.

The second day was devoted to a discussion on English Language Teaching. Mrs. Malini Subramaniam, Controller of Examinations, Bharathi Women's College, who presided, stressed how important it is to develop communication skills in English in these days of liberalisation and globalisation. Mr. Victor Allen, assistant director, Centre for Cumulative Excellence, Loyola College advocated a task-based syllabus in English to make English teaching more effective. Mr. Robert Bellarmine, language consultant and director of the institute `English for Empowerment and Enrichment' said he owed his success in life to his communicative competence in English and emphasised that learning is a learner's responsibility as well.

Dr. Kanagamani Bala Subramanian, Reader in English, Vaishnava College, Chromepet, stressed how the use of the dictionary could promote effective learning of English. Ms. Dinah Oommen, Lecturer in English, Women's Christian College, moderated the discussions and said that while adopting innovative methods in teaching English, some of the old, time-rested methods should not be given up. Students from the W.C.C, the Q.M.C and the Bharathi Women's College, presented papers, dealing with different aspects of English language teaching and learning.

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