THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Among the group of students learning Malayalam at the ‘Malayalam Pallikoodam’ venture started here about six months ago is a Nepali boy called Mohan Bhandari. A student of Class II he has been learning the language for two weeks now.
Jessy Narayanan, coordinator, Malayalam Pallikoodam, said: ‘’Though it has been hardly a month, he has learnt most of the Malayalam alphabets by heart and can recite it better than most of the other students. He is a very enthusiastic learner and comes every Sunday on his bicycle to the Pallikoodam from Sandeepananda Ashram at Tirumala where he stays.’’
Mohan Bhandari was one among a number of tiny tots assembled on the grounds of Sree Sarada Devi Sisuvihar UP school at Vazhuthacaud where ‘Pallikoodam’ is organised. Having come along with their parents, it was an atmosphere of fun and play for the kids. The kids got together along with their parents for a session of ‘Malayalam Pallikoodam’, a project conceptualised by poet Madhusoodanan Nair.
The kids had assembled to present postcards prepared by them to be sent to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on the occasion of International Mother Language Day on February 21. The kids along with their parents gave away the postcards to filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan at the function presided over by poet Madhusoodanan Nair. While many sat obediently on the mats placed on the grounds, a few younger ones were seen running around .
However, Prof Aliyar cautioned against spanking the children acting in a sprightly manner. “I would request parents not to restrict children. It is in their nature to jump around and scream. Let them enjoy their freedom in their small world.” Artiste and writer Vattaparambil Peethambaran recited poems along with the kids on the occasion.