The tradition of narration has indeed been one of the strongest pursuits of humanity across the ages. For centuries civilisations have woven tales of misery, angst and wisdom. Whereupon one generation’s stories enlightened mankind; the other exceedingly inspired a place to establish the continuum of spiritual journeys.
Through the medium of storytelling we have constantly nourished our incessant obsession with ancestral lineage. Where fears and dreams could exist and merge with the elements of sanity and cohesion; mankind has often sought beauty of solitude and companionship with tales. As author and historian Studs Terkel once said, “Storytelling is a form of history, of immortality too. It goes from one generation to another.” After all stories can be magical and have the power to awaken, transform and enthrall listeners. A good story knows no boundaries. And everyone loves a good story.
Kathalaya recently organised Kathothsava 2011 — a festival for storytelling. Held in five cities — Vizag, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai; the festival showcased the creme de la creme of European, Russian and Indian storytellers, trainers and puppeteers specifically from Sweden and Moscow. We spoke to Geeta Ramanujam to understand better the underlying nuances of storytelling.
We as human beings love to conjure up fictional characters and fantasy worlds. Tell us about the art of story telling.
For me storytelling and silence go together. Strange as it may seem like two diametrically opposite pillars but if you cannot retain silence within you; you can never be a good storyteller. Most of our upanyasas told by the saints and rishis are powerful because at other times they are silent. Storytelling looks simple at the outset but it is a culmination of memory picture retention, recall and retelling of a story and each has a separate function – to grasp, to internalise and to communicate .
Each function has to do with attitude, aptitude and skill. Storytelling was part of a tradition. And a Burrakatha or Harikatha teller had his children automatically continue the form. But with the advent of technology watching, repeating, imitating and communicating is no longer visible and so it has become a skill one has to now learn and acquire. I, too developed this art form which I thought was also inherent in me when I was young and used to come home and recall a story of a movie or incident and add modulations to the characters of the story. For the family members it was entertainment and later as a teacher when I recounted a lesson as a story the children would listen intently.
How would you propose to awaken and empower the story teller in anyone?
Everyone has the potential to communicate — it is just that one needs to add their own recipes or spice to see if it can be communicated effectively. There are two paths to enhance this skill. One is to strengthen our internal aspects of the mind, body and soul which needs to be aligned in order to face someone confidently to communicate.
This also includes skills of listening and observation. The other is an external skill which could be drawing, painting, paper folding, dance, music, mimicry and we can tap that hidden talent and use it as a crutch for storytelling. For me it is the voice and expressions and I modulate and use my own body language to communicate a story effectively and encapture the audience.
Tell us about Kathothsava 2011
Kathothsava 2011 is the third festival for storytelling to be held in Bangalore but for the first time in the other four cities — Pune, Mumbai, Vizag and Chennai. It is the outcome of an MOU signed between the Governments of Sweden and Karnataka to set up storytelling centres in Sweden by India and also to take the festival which was called Storywood forward. And, it was the first festival which Kathalaya organised and performed in Sweden in November 2010 based on the Panchatantra theme.
It was also felt that this time we could travel with the festival to other cities in India and if we add puppetry and workshops it would be more appealing to people both young and old alike.
When I visited the Buratino puppet theatre in Sweden, I saw lovely shows and huge heritage puppets and thought it would be so good for our children in India to witness puppetry of another culture. And that is how the Buratino puppet theatre came to India to the five cities. Ola Henricsson and I have a common goal — integrating stories into education and this was the outcome of this
collaboration.
Can story telling serve as an educational tool?
The old Gurukula system and the Panchatantra teaching tactics of administration or the Upanishads and the entire system which our ancient traditions and knowledge were based on stories.
So what served as a natural tool of learning which comprised of integrated learning is now being served in a new platter which is good because we are not only reviving a learning tool but authenticating it as a very potent tool in education. We now use storytelling for multiple intelligence as well as to integrate concepts with elementary schools.
Kathalaya is the first organisation to have weekly storytelling interventions in schools and that is what the west is fascinated with when they come to our schools in Bangalore to watch how it is being done. And, these periods are called storytelling periods.
What are the characteristics of a good story teller?
To retain spontaneity in story telling. It is essential to be simple and confident and to have a passion to transmit the story effectively.
Externally it needs sound preparation regarding the content, timing, space, movement, rhythm, voice modulations, body language expressions, organising oneself and to be spontaneous and change as per the audience. The listeners determine the storytelling and so when a storyteller is effective you will have a silent audience. The storyteller should be capable of transporting the listener to the world of the teller.
What is about this art form that intrigues you the most?
Personally I love puppets but as far as storytelling goes — a good teller with a lovely voice and least of props. Recently, I loved one Alan Rocha who just mesmerised the crowd through his storytelling. I also listen to Upanyasas regularly since childhood and am thoroughly impressed with some of the simple rishis and saints who can tell and talk chapters of our epics fluently with knowledge and the right pauses.
I also listen to the Bhagwad Gita and the Bhagavata Puranas regularly. They are simple but clear. Knowledge is power and the fact that they can recall and quote extensively from the 1000 odd verses is indeed a great thing.
Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Velukudi and Paramartha are all great tellers. They transport you convincingly into the world of goodness which is the need of the hour today.