30 years of teaching.

 It is said - Exploring different career options while in class 11 helps one make informed decisions about their future. But not always. A person's  career may take turns and diversions like it's  now in Chennai,  due to the Metro railway construction work. You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination. 

Years 1981 - 82. 

I wanted to become an engineer when in class 11. I got hold of some friends in Coimbatore PSG college to get me an application form. I had a fascination for civil engineering just because I had a smart relative who was a successful civil engineer. Since I was good with Mathematics, I thought I too can become a great civil engineer. 

Years between 1983 - 88.

Then the take diversion, roads closed  happened, I joined Kalakshetra to do a 5 year course in music after class 12. 

Everyone said I sing well. I had a good high pitched voice and could imitate great singers to some extent even before joining music classes at Kalakshetra.  I used to memorize  the manodharma part also from tapes and sing it like a parrot. Take diversion, metro work in progress -  happened again but this time in a subtle way. I started my UG program. Bsc maths from  Madras University through correspondence. Mornings were devoted to music and evenings I attended Maths and accountancy classes. 

Years 1989 - 1991.

And then one day the most complicated  diversion that can happen to a girls career happened. I got married into a musically talented family and it was decided I will take up music as my career. Everybody thought for the rest of my life I will sing in  concerts. I was not actually keen on that, but never did I voice it out.  I did not really know what to do. I still had the engineering idea in my mind. So wanted to do a course in interior decorations. Again never voiced it out. 

Years 1992 - onwards

Next rerouting happened once I delivered my baby. During my post - natal stay at my mother's place, I had a lot of conversations with my parents. My mother realised that I was made to do something else, not destined to  become a musician. I was also not inclined towards Kutchery kind of a life style. I enjoyed Music, but concert singing was not my cup of tea.  A mother can be your best career cousellor. She comes  free of charges too.  She started pushing me towards teaching. Her point was I could keep my daughter with me all the time. I had taken maths and music classes for pocket money in the past and so I was confident that I could teach. 

I completed my B.Ed and M.Ed and soon became a teacher. 

From then on there has been no  looking back or the slightest doubt in my career decision. 

2025 March 21st

 Today after spending 30 + years teaching the primary school kids, I am filled with gratitude.  It has been so fulfilling,  filled with countless precious moments spent with children. I am eternally grateful to my mother for planting the seed of teaching in me and guiding me towards this path. Her unwavering support and encouragement fueled my passion for educating young minds. As I bid farewell to my students and colleagues, I am filled with bittersweet emotions, while I will miss the daily interactions and the vibrant energy of the classroom, I am proud of the impact I have made in the lives of my students and young teachers. I am grateful for all the memories, lessons, and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. 

Now a big bang!!!  A deflection -  so to say;  and that is of being a long distance  grandmother to an NRI kid. Its difficult to understand her American accent. I keep saying - yaaaa, very cute,  whenever I don't understand.  Spending a few months with her,  I am sure to pick up her accent. It's my turn to be a good student now.  

And of course theatre which will give me some "me" time fun. 

Most important, I want to be more regular and committed to my prayers and chanting routines.  

My gratitude to the universe for bringing in a lot of joy in what I did for earning my rice and sambar, and for fulfilling most of my manifestations. Some of it that got diluted, I understand that was not intended for me by the almighty. 

Today marks the end of an era for me as it is my last day in school. 30 years of an incredible journey, one that has brought me immense joy and fulfillment.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्ति-रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥