“I was bullied for being brown”: Actor Avantika Vandanapu and author Perumal Murugan discuss their school years

VI: It is quite unusual and similar to films for Indian teachers to advise students on their love life. However, you did exactly that …

PM: It is natural that people fall in love and have relationships when they are young. I understood this and guided my students accordingly. What I have not approved is that they jump in the wedding in a hurry, when neither the boy nor the girl could fend for herself. Again, there is no use that is difficult for them after their marriage. Other teachers often tell their students for bad domestic decisions. I don’t know. They have already not returned and are dealing with the disapproval of their parents. If I did not support myself either, they would be helpless.

VI: Perumal teased his students and guided them during the best part of their lives. Avantika, what happened when you chose to repeat the high school in Granada Hills Charter? Have you met teachers like that?

AV: After being enrolled at home the first time, I developed more academic ambitions and I wanted to enter a good college. So I decided to do it again, but more rigorously. I signed up for harder classes and I continued better grades. The high school teachers that I officially studied under were seated with me after school to work on the same physics problem, several times, through my tears. They let me fly for auditions and made me cross all the school work that I had missed. Seeing Perumal Sir doing this for so many students, like Anbazhagan – who, under his supervision, has become himself a Tamil teacher – I did not estimate that if a bad teacher can be harmful to your growth, a big can shape your dreams. Has any of your teachers do this for you, Perumal sir?

PM: My teacher is Marudhanayagam, who is no longer, was the one who recognizes my interest in literature. He suggested books to help me perfect my talent and lend a patient ear when I expressed my opinions. Another of my favorite teachers, KS Kamaleswaran, is 87 years old and still reads. Whenever I meet him, he asks me two flawless questions: “What is the last book you read?” And “What did you write?” I had the chance not only from students who hold me at high level all these years later, but also teachers who continue to be invested in me.