A time to reminisce

I'm reminiscing about school after reading Pretty Woman's blog about childhood. I'm not in the mood to write much, but I'd like to put this email that I sent to my school's mailing group a couple of years ago.

In my 12 years at school, I always was part of something during each annual day. I sang every year as part of the group song team that would perform when the stage was being prepared for the next drama/event. I was in the primary school play in the 5th standard...I was to play Cinderella, and the teachers were unable to find a Prince who was taller than I was. So my classmate, Anju, took that role and I became a step sister. (This incident stands out in memory because today I'm not considered "tall" by any measure :-)))

I also played the role of Mahishi in a classical dance based drama "Markandeya". I remember going up on stage to receive the general proficiency prize with black paint on my face that year. But what I do remember most is the excitement and the preparation that went in each year. Reaching school at an early hour in the afternoon. Having Mrs. Lalitha put on make up for us. Then collecting snack coupons and attempting to eat biscuits and bananas without getting the lipstick off.

I learnt music for almost 10 years privately. But I learnt music for12 years from our music teacher too. If my music teacher at home taught me to sing with my open voice, Mrs. Lalitha taught me to use my "false" voice. At a recent get together, someone commented on my ability to sing in two voices. I think I spent so much more time singing at school that today I cannot sing in my real voice for very long. And that training in school got me on to the college choir and is now contributing to local Hyderabad entertainment at Planet M.

I think I feel pretty much the same way about art, craft, SUPW, CCA, Scouts and Guides, and sports. They're important...and we had the good fortune to learn all that in school. I still come across people who cannot thread a needle or change a light bulb, have never played a game, haven't gone to camp, haven't painted, sung, quizzed or debated, haven't read a book outside of their textbooks...and I cannot help but think...was it because they didn't go to our school?