Question

Divide the class in four groups. Collect four different stories written by Sudha Murthy. Select a story for every group and write it in the form of a play. Enact it in front of the class.

Answer 1

Name of the Play: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Characters:

Sudha - Granddaughter

Krishtakka - Grandmother
(Addressed as Avva by Sudha)

(Sudha is a girl of twelve living with her grandparents in a village in north Karnataka. Her grandmother loves the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ written by Triveni that appears as a weekly, in the ‘Karmaveera’ magazine. Sudha gets the magazine for her grandmother every week and reads it out to her as she doesn’t know how to read.)

Act I

Sudha:	Avva, I’ve brought the magazine. Do you want me to read it to you now?
Krishtakka:	No, not now. Read it to me in the evening.
Sudha:	Avva, why do you like this story so much?
Krishtakka:	I like it because it’s about an old lady who has never been to Kashi and dreams of going there. I, too, have never been to Kashi, and so, I can relate to her. It describes her struggle and her ultimate sacrifice, where she gives the money she has accumulated to an orphan girl, so that she could get married.
Sudha:	Okay. Will we be going to the temple later?
Krishtakka:	Yes, of course! How else will I discuss the latest episode with my friends?

Act II

(Sudha comes back home, two weeks later, after attending a wedding in the neighbouring village. On reaching home, she finds Krishtakka in tears.)

Sudha:	Avva, is everything fine? Are you alright?
Krishtakka:	(nods)
Sudha:	Shall we go and have dinner?
Krishtakka:	Yes. And later, we can sleep on the terrace. It will be beautiful since it’s a full moon night.
Sudha:	Yes, Avva. Thank you.

Act III

(Sudha is lying on her bed under the starry night. Krishtakka comes over and sits next to her. She starts caressing Sudha’s forehead with her hand.)

Sudha:	What’s the matter?
Krishtakka:	I lost my mother when I was young. I had no one to look after me or guide me. My father got married again. In those days, education was not considered essential for girls. So, I never went to school. I got married very young and had children. Later, I had grandchildren and was happy to cook and feed all of you. Sometimes, I do regret not going to school. That’s why I made sure that my children and grandchildren studied well.... (cries)
Sudha	Avva, don’t cry. What’s the matter? Can I help you in any way?
Krishtakka:	Yes, I need your help. You know, while you were away, the latest episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’ came out. I tried reading it, but to no avail. I rubbed my hands over the pages, wishing to understand what was written. But I knew that was not possible. I wanted to ask someone in the village to read it for me, but I was too embarrassed. I even thought of going to the village and asking you to read it for me. I felt so dependent and helpless. We are well-off, but what use is money if I cannot be independent?
Sudha:	(looks at her grandmother with empathy)
Krishtakka:	I have decided to learn the Kannada alphabet starting tomorrow. I will work very hard and keep ‘Saraswati Puja’ during ‘Dassara’ as the deadline. I should be able to read a novel on my own by then. I want to be independent.
Sudha:	(laughs on hearing that her grandmother wants to learn the alphabet) Avva, at the age of sixty-two, you want to learn the alphabet! You wear spectacles, and your hands are wrinkled. Also, you are so busy with work.
Krishtakka:	If you are determined for a good cause, then you can overcome any obstacle. I will work really hard. And remember, there is no age bar for learning.
Sudha:	Alright, I will teach you. We start tomorrow.

Act IV

(Sudha started tutoring Krishtakka from the next day onwards. Krishtakka was a wonderful student. She did a lot of homework. She was sincere and dedicated. And finally came the day of ‘Dassara’.)

Krishtakka:	Sudha, please come downstairs.
Sudha:	Yes, Avva. I’m here.
Krishtakka:	Please accept this frock from your first student. (She touches Sudha’s feet after giving her the frock.)
Sudha:	What are you doing, Avva! Elders are not supposed to touch the feet of the youngsters!
Krishtakka:	I’m not touching the feet of my granddaughter. I’m touching the feet of my teacher. A teacher who taught me so well that I can now read any novel confidently in such a short period. I am now independent. It’s my duty to respect my teacher. Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of gender and age?
Sudha:	(Sudha touches Krishtakka’s feet and gives her the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’) Here, I too have brought something for you.
Krishtakka:	You bought me the novel! ‘Kashi Yatre’ - written by Triveni.
Sudha:	I can see that my student has passed with flying colours!