THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As she alighted the stairs, attired in a Kerala saree, she looked breathtakingly beautiful. The twinkling eyes, the 1000 watt smile, the elegance in body language and the candid talk- were enough to say why Indu Thampy won the crown of Miss Kerala 2010.
This avid reader, an aspiring author, talented painter and trained dancer, who wants to become a professor, is definitely living the moment.
Bubbling with excitement, Indu says, ‘‘Onam is always a great time for the entire family. Though mine is a nuclear family (comprising her father Suresh Thampy, a
businessman, mother Jayasree, elder sister Rasmi and paternal grandmother Rajeswari), Onam is really sweet in the company of my relatives staying close by. And this Onam is something very special. Though I am busy with a couple of events, I have made it a point to be with the family on Thiruvonam day.’’
Come Onam and she craves for the ‘rice-sambar-avial-pappadam’ combination and her favourite dish, ‘kichadi’. ‘‘I try to help my mother in the kitchen. I rarely do the cooking, since my mother is very happy making it all on her own. And she knows our tastes,’’ she shares, while posing for the camera in the beautiful garden of her home ‘Geetanjali’ at Kuravankonam.
And the traditional Kerala saree has been a favourite of hers. ‘‘During Onam time, it is so nice to see women walking around in this attire,’’ she says.
Loving, broad-minded and supportive parents, immense talent in fine art and love for letters which she inherited from her late paternal grandfather M S Thampy, the friend she has in her sister, a doting grandmother, and, above all, the atmosphere of her almamater All Saints’ College- Indu has had many things going in her favour.‘‘You wouldn’t believe that I used to be an introvert when I was very young. My sister was just the opposite and as I saw her taking part in various activities, one day I too gave a try. The first attempt was a recitation competition. I forgot lines in between and got down the stage feeling embarassed!,’’ she says.
But, she didn’t give up. She started taking part in literary competitions while in school (studied till IV in Thrissur and rest in Saraswati Vidyalaya, Vattiyoorkkavu). And, as she joined All Saints’ College for BA English, her life became all the more colourful with a lot of extra-curricular activities.
She became Miss All Saints’ the year she joined (she was crowned by her sister who won the title the previous year) and the college chairperson the next year.
‘‘Everything is so nice about my college that I would be continuing my studies there,’’ she says.
The Miss Kerala crown has changed life a lot. ‘‘But, for my family and friends I am still the same.’’ Blushing at the mention of film offers, Indu says, ‘‘Actually, a couple of calls had come to my father. I have not decided. I would definitely love to act, but I would choose to do a strong character, like what Manju Warrier has done,’’ she shares.
Now she has an easy access to bigger beauty contests, especially Miss India. But, she has not decided on being part of it. ‘‘One thing is I am shorter than the prescribed height. Another fact is that they have some rounds which I won’t be comfortable doing,’’ she pauses, adding, ‘‘I won’t compromise upon the set of morals and ethics which I hold on to.’’
She explains, ‘‘It’s all about carrying oneself. You can walk around in the most decent dress in the most vulgar way. Regarding swimsuit, the two-piece suit is not the only option. I basically took part in Miss Kerala because it had much to do with personality development too. Also, interacting with last year’s runner up Geethu Christy who is from our college gave me enough inspiration to try my luck. And, luck is a very important element. For, a fall on the stage would have changed the whole thing.’’
Miss Radiant, Miss Beautiful Eyes and Miss Sensuality at the Miss Kerala contest, Indu appears to believe what she opined at the final round of the contest. The five final contestants were asked what takes the trouble-torn world forward and she said, ‘Tolerance, sympathy and hope’, which eventually won her the crown.
m_athira@expressbuzz.com