A Storyteller Tells Her Own Story

From singing Mira bhajans to bringing concern over belief, hard work and the impact of human carelessness on forests, she held the attention of all the children and even adults making them laugh and cry with the characters.

Odisha Bytes caught up with her in a brief interview where she said how the crowd in Bhubaneswar has been overwhelming and shared tidbits of her life as a storyteller.

It is a lot of things put together. I was a teacher for a long time and used to keep experimenting with holding the attention of children. So, I started experimenting with lessons and would teach as if I am telling a story. Then I worked at All India Radio. I completed my education in English, I wrote for newspapers and even read a lot. Besides, I am not the kind to stay in a place if it does not interest me. I remember how I would never come to the point while telling someone something and start with.. ‘pata hai kya hua?’. Learning Bharatanatyam also instilled that knack for storytelling I think.

What do you think are the essential elements of a storyteller?

First, it is to be a good listener. Unless you listen attentively, you will not be able to tell your story. It also helps you to understand your audience so you can decide what clicks and what does not. Second, you should prepare well because if you are not well-versed with what you are going to say, you will falter and children will lose interest.

Now, after so many years of story-telling, it has become pure instinct but initially, it was based on what I read and the kind of crowd I have to deal with. I would very consciously see and listen what they are responding best to. At some point then, it becomes intuitive. Now, I don’t have to choose a story for a certain crowd. I can tell the same story with certain modifications to all age-groups.

How do you make a story inclusive for all age groups?

I have never thought of it consciously. Again, it comes from the idea of listening. I bring in the contemporary touch. When I narrate the tale of Mira, I include things like, ‘Oh, she did not have television to watch cartoons or daily soaps or sports’, which anyone would relate to. It is about instilling curiosity. Besides, the context should also be based on the region. For example, if I am in Bengal, I would choose Rasagulla while referring to a sweet because then a listener of any age group will relate to it. We have to try to balance it out.

Do you think storytelling can change the course of education?

The question, when turned around is the answer you see. I am an educationalist and was a resource person for the Ministry of Education and have also worked with NCERT in Telangana. So, most definitely, story-telling can bring a wave of change in how education is perceived and how learning as a whole is understood. Even when I started my organization, ‘Story Arts India’, the idea was not some performance, not to compete. It was to bring in fun in learning.

Can storytelling help us bring closer to our roots?

It always has, I think. Not in a jingoist way as such, but we all want to feel grounded and given the way things are today with westernisation and urbanisation seeping in, which is also important, we lose the sense of our identity. We don’t know the shape of this identity and we can neither design the shape ourselves. We can only understand it and know what it might look like. Otherwise, we can generate interest in the same. So yes, story-telling can keep us grounded and closer to roots.

Your advice for storytellers?

Your path and roads will come your way. So keep believing and keep telling stories. Keep going on.

Which is your personal favourite story?

The one my father would always relate to me, ‘Yellam Nanmaikar’. It is in Tamil and means everything is for the good. I resonate with it and believe everything happens for good only.