“Hello Kolkata Creative Canvas” — Poems, Stories, Paintings and Articles curated by Grace SithaRaman, Hony. Secretary (of South India section) of “LCSF”- Literary, Cultural & Social Forum

This is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the greatest Maratha King.

I drew this image using a normal pencil, a 2B pencil, and an 8B pencil. I was inspired by his discipline, bravery, and aura, so I drew this image as a dedication to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
-©️Rudra Joshi, Std. 8 (ICSE), St. John’s High School, Bangalore.

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MEMORIES OF COTTONS

Heera Nawaz, Student of Bishop Cotton
Proud Student 1975 to Proud Teacher

I became a teacher because I myself had the privilege of studying in Bishop Cotton Girls School (now in the news because we are celebrating our Golden Jubilee this year) where I was deeply inspired by my own teachers. During my school days of “telling tales and biting nails” I distinctly remember and feel nostalgic at the teachers who bared their souls and scanned our hearts to teach and inculcate in us the basics of English and Science and History and Mathematics.

At Cottons, we had reason to appreciate the teachers for the way they trained us to be proficient in all the activities of school functions, whether they be the Verse Speaking Competition, the Annual Prize Day or the Sports Day, which set our adrenaline racing. A kin to our school song, the teachers saw to it that we always “mustered on the side of right” with the school motto Nec Dexstrorsum, Nec Sinistrorsum (neither to the right nor to the left, but on straight on.”

Now, I can understand why teachers possess so much of inter-house competitiveness. for they are genuinely trying to endorse the TEAM spirit. I remember our sports teacher saying, “TEAM is an acronym which can stand for Together Everyone Achieves More.”

I remember the teachers becoming stern and very serious when we were in Standard IX about to enter Standard X.

Our Physics Teacher who was also our Class Teacher, remonstrated us, “Pull up your socks, for otherwise next year you will not be the pillars of the school, you will be the caterpillars.”

Complaints flew thick and fast over girls who in their final year were not committed enough. Our English Teacher pointed out rather dryly, “This girl is hard working, but that girl hardly works”! On another occasion, with a perfectly straight face, she enunciated, “This girl is outstanding, whereas that’ girl is always standing out”! English Teachers did have a forte of playing with and coining words quite effortlessly.

Our teachers were like the “unseen winds that move the figurative ship” which is maneuverable because of the wind and not because of the showy colourful sails.”. Indeed, unseen and unsung, I am sure their satisfaction and reward comes from seeing batch after batch graduating from the school in flying colours. They embody the supposition that “Teaching is a noble profession”, and that'”they are not in it for the income, but for the outcome”!

Otherwise, if they were not selfless, how would they ever have put in so much of effort to hone is? For once, we were out of the shackles that bound us down to school life and we were free to experience the world outside, we then realised how warm and soft and kind our frog-in-the-well existence really was! The teachers had indeed with their limited resources but hearts full of sincerity made us the best human beings we could possibly be. And this applied even to the girls who used to go running down corridors!

I am proud of Cottons for the teachers there made me a woman of substance. Yes, I always thought that I would look back at my tears and laugh, but I never thought that I would look back at my laughter and cry.

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Namratha SithaRaman, Professional Photographer and Media person

When spring comes
I dance with joy
The flowers sing
Nature wears her best outfit
She announces to the world that she has arrived

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Hop Out Of The Bag

Naisha Sharma

A Bag— This is an object we use regularly to store essentials like books, clothes, and tools. It’s like a barrier that stores things that are part of our lives, and it’s a helpful thing.

Our things are stored in the bag, and we must take them out to use them. For instance, a book has to be taken out of the bag to read it, and then we get to know about the book and its contents. If we never take the book or any object out of the bag, we’ll never be able to know about it or its contents.

This concept relates to our lives. We are like the books and other things in the bag, and the bag represents our comfort zone. This barrier or bag protects and keeps us comfortable, but we have to come out of our comfort zone to realize our true capabilities and worth in life. In order to explore our lives, we have to step out of our comfort zone, just like the books. We have to explore, learn, and experience life. We have one life, and we have to live it to the fullest.

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An Insight into Nature’s POV

S. Dhruthi, Unacademy, Bengaluru, Science – JEE

I got done with my 10th boards and was happily ready to tick off my bucket lists!! That’s when my dad surprised me with a 3 day vacation to Madikeri of Coorg ( The Scotland of India ) in Karnataka!! I got pumped up like never before!! The main reason is that we had to stay at a homestay amidst the middle of a forest!! So calm , so relaxing , a perfect place to reflect and create!! But the best part , it had a private WATERFALLS!!! Just a 2 km trek from the room and we would have that heavenly place all to ourselves!! So without any further adue , we started our journey , entered Madikeri , relished on mouthwatering culinaries and did some sight seeing too! The moment I saw that cascade , I was in tears. I just couldn’t be grateful enough! I was jaw dropped by its beauty! The trickling sound of water , surrounded by insanely green trees , birds and insects chirping , peacocks crowing and that dazzling sunset descending vividly into the mountains… A step into that chilling water took away all the burns from my mind , soul and body. After destressing myself for 2 hrs , when I was about to say bye bye to that heaven , I heard a blaring mumble.. I turn around and spot no one.. Then , I hear more and more of them!

That’s when I unknowingly entered into the conversation of NATURE’S ELEMENTS!! Among Teak , Rosewood , Dindalu , Marsupium , Indian Laburnum , the Marsupium told , ” I feel so free and alive here.. No pollution , far away from urban heat island effects and feel so cool inside out. Thanks to your chilling water , Kaveri maa”. Kaveri maa replied , “No problem at all , pal! I too feel very active here! Neither wastes nor radioactive pollution! My freinds , fishes , ferns and frogs are able to live so joyfully!!” That’s when it hit me hard about the damage we are doing to Nature… The absolutely gorgeous and beautiful Malabar Trogon , Malabar Parakeet , Niligiri Flycatcher , Peacock , White cheeked Barbets , the Nilgiri Flycatcher replied , “I love this place so much!! I have all the freedom to live my life and fly highh here:))!” to which the Peacock said , “I can dance the most gracefully here without the fear of losing my home!” This comforting statement heartbreakingly made me realise on how humans need freedom so badly , and we never give that chance to birds and animals around us.. Even if I had the chance to speak with them , I had no words.. The sun while setting , in its most spectacular display responded ” I am beyond joyous to be able to witness my family being so contented with the smallest of things…” I could see their purest smiles.. Even though I felt so elated there , I came back with a heavy heart thinking about us humans not having any respect nor concern towards MOTHER NATURE who gave us everything we rejoice in today.

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