’18 Years of stage theater experience and 15 years of teaching, when asked which is closest and happiest to your heart, Kalpana Bandarinathan says, “As two eyes are necessary for balanced vision, theater and teaching are for me.”
Being an actress, Tamil teacher, yoga instructor, short film director, short story reader, Kalpana who is multi-talented, engages herself in every possible platform. His recent album song directed by his school children has been well received. We asked her about her journey with children.
“My native is Ayanpuram, Chennai. When I was completing my bachelor’s degree in college and doing my master’s degree, Prof. Aranga Mallika encouraged me. He gave me a book called ‘Venmani Islamasham’ and told me to produce a play. I converted the book into a play and performed it on stage. That was the first step for me to get involved in stage plays.
Then I joined the drama group run by the late journalist Gnani. After that I started acting in many plays. I have acted in more than 80 dramas including Vattam, Tedayu. My one-man play ‘We’ was talked about a lot.
I have also acted in Father Periyar’s life serial ‘Aiya’ which was aired on Potikai TV. My short film ‘Oviya’ won an award at a film festival. Currently, I am trying to direct a short film called ‘The End’.
Recently, with the help of the school I work for, I directed and released an album song titled ‘Chirakai Virithal Chikarame’ with my students. It has been well received.”
He spoke about his art travel experiences and shared his work as a teacher. “Being a Tamil teacher gives me the opportunity to talk to children a lot. Every child has a different family environment. Time in the classroom is the world to them.
So care should be taken so that they do not get bored in their studies. They watch with interest as they teach through stories, songs and acting.
Because of my stage theater experience, I involve children in acting whenever I get the chance. I have staged many plays in that way. It is necessary to identify the unique talents of children and encourage them. When teachers and parents fail to find it, their talents are lost.
No child goes astray when he embraces other children as his own. When you get a chance to do something you love, it’s natural to enjoy it. That’s what I’m doing.”