We caught up with Professor Kasturi Kanthan to ask her some questions about her post-retirement plans and nostalgic moments from LSR. Some quirky answers from our beloved professor and hilarious inputs from the 2nd and 3rd years who had gathered around to watch the interview made it an absolutely fun and memorable experience. Read on folks!

 

What are the contents of your post retirement bucket list?

I would love to venture into acting - Anything ranging from theatre to television. I can probably get into those Tamil ones that air on Jaya TV and Sun TV!

 

Tell us a funny story.

Actually it was something one of my friends said to me once. Back then, room number 21 used to be the department library. I remember I was with a friend, Ms. Uma Malhotra and I had a tute with a group of girls. There was some confusion regarding the room numbers. We thought our room was room number 22 but someone else was already taking a class in it. So we had to go to the library (room number 21 that is). I remember Uma's comment on the situation, “Terrible, she (the librarian) has a room but no customers, and you have customers but no room!”

 

What’s the most absurd thing that someone has said to you?

I remember once there was a girl from the commerce department who had come to collect her degree. It was 4:30 and none of her teachers were in college. So she came to me. I asked her about her teachers to confirm her identity. However, she she couldn’t recall any of her teachers’ name. Then she thought about it a little and said “There was an English teacher, some Mrs. Kanthan, I think. She was my favorite teacher”. So I asked her, “Okay then, do you recognize this teacher? I’ll get her for you.” And she replied that she did not!

 

I mean, she didn’t recognize me at all, and I was the only teacher whose name she could recall!

 

Weirdest thing that has happened at Tarang?

Oh there were lots of them! I remember this one time when Deepa Nair- she was the President of the Student Unon that particular year- was chased by a group of boys of some college. And the poor girl had to run into the Principal’s office. And they were chasing her because she hadn’t given them passes! I had to run after them.

 

How do you deal with eccentric English students?

Oh, they just add to the variety. And normally, the eccentric ones have been our best.

 

The one time you felt like you were surrounded by idiots?

Loads of times.But you mean in LSR? Oh,no, not in LSR.

 

The weirdest reason that has kept you late from class?

No, I normally have a good reason. There can be some weird emergencies sometimes.

 

One song, one movie, and one book that remind you of LSR?

Lets see. Book would be Pachpan Khambe Lal Diwar,

Song would have to be the college song,

And movie… Dead Poets’ Society.

 

Partying advice to teachers and students?

(Singing along with RS) Char Baj Gaye hai lekin Party Abhi Baki Hai.

 

What would you wear to page 3 parties?

I’ll go for a blingy sari. That’s the best I can do! And maybe I’ll try on some high heels.

 

What is the most adventurous thing that you have done?

On that note, have you tried any adventure sports?

No, I have never tried adventure sports! And the most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands with a fractured leg!

 

If cast as a vamp, what’s the one line that you’d really like to say?

Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke. Probably with a cigarette in my hand, like Madhubala does. I should probably watch Gulaab Gang, and then take one of the lines from there.

 

What makes the English department so cool and what do you like most about it?

Sense of community, ability to laugh at ourselves, the camaraderie of the people, and the people themselves!