No student actually thinks their teacher could be interesting and have a life outside the classroom. Neerja Deodhar and Anandita Ashok Kumar capture four teachers who have alternate stories to popular belief.
TANAY PINGLAY – THE FRENCH THESPIAN
IN THE CLASSROOM
Tanay Pinglay teaches French at Alliance Française where he has been working for six years now. His motley group of students range from teenagers to corporates from different cultural backgrounds.
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
He acts in Marathi theatre, appearing in several Marathi plays over the years. He also enjoys reading Marathi literature in his free time.
RADHA KUMAR – THE CLOSET ARTISTE
IN THE CLASSROOM
Radha Kumar has been teaching at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai for over 25 years. She is an important member of the Ancient Indian Culture faculty.
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
She enjoys different forms of art and performs ballets in Bharatnatyam and plays the sitar in her free time. She also heads the extracurricular activities department of the college and occasionally writes the Speaking Tree column for The Times of India.
JASMEET SONI – THE REFORMED EDUCATOR
IN THE CLASSROOM
Jasmeet Soni is a grade 5 class teachers who specialises in the subjects English, maths and science.
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Soni was an engineer who turned to teaching due to her hobby of volunteering for Teach For India. She enjoys reading books and watching films when she is not in the classroom.
ASHA SUNIL KUMAR – THE DANCING SISTERHOOD
IN THE CLASSROOM
Asha Sunil Kumar is a stickler for perfection when it comes to Bharatanatyam. She expects dedication, discipline and sincerity from her students, and has little patience for idle chatter, laziness and regression.
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
She is your best friend and the coolest older sister you wish you had. The intimidation in her large eyes melts away and is replaced by warmth. She is the very image of her guru, whom she says was “a terror in dance class but like my grandfather as soon as class ended.”
