Interacting with author, Ms Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan

The Indian School had the honour of welcoming noted writer and storyteller, Ms Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, on 21 November 2025. An award-winning author, poet, editor, translator and voice-over artist, Ms Srinivasan carries an illustrious literary and creative legacy, with an impressive repertoire of both fiction and nonfiction works, which has made her a celebrated figure in literary circles. 

The programme comprised two thoughtfully curated, engaging and interactive sessions, tailored for different age groups.

Session 1- Book Reading

The first session, organised for the students of classes IV and V, was an engaging and immersive book-reading experience. With her signature elegance and expressive narration, Ms Srinivasan read excerpts from her acclaimed children’s book, “Prince with a Paintbrush: The Story of Raja Ravi Varma”. As she brought the story to life, she seamlessly wove in conversations about Raja Ravi Varma’s artistic genius and highlighted why it is essential for young learners to discover and appreciate India's great artists. Her storytelling not only held the students’ attention but also ignited their curiosity about Indian art and culture.

She went on to share practical and inspiring tips on nurturing creativity.

Encouraging the students to embrace the joy of writing, she introduced them to the delightful concept of crafting 100-word stories, a concise yet powerful form of expression. She explained how writing within a word limit challenges the mind, fosters clarity and strengthens vocabulary.

With infectious enthusiasm, she read out some of her own 100-word stories, one of them being, “The Ghost”, demonstrating how vivid imagery and strong emotions can be conveyed through carefully chosen words. She advised students to strengthen their writing by replacing lengthy phrases with precise and evocative adjectives, helping them shape and craft crisp, compelling narratives.

Adding a personal touch, Ms Srinivasan also shared charming anecdotes from her childhood. She fondly recalled playing endless games of Scrabble with her mother and siblings, games that expanded her vocabulary and nurtured her love for language. She also introduced students to a playful word-building challenge she enjoyed with her sister, affectionately called “Constantinople,” where the task was to create as many words as possible from the letters of that long word. These early experiences, she shared, played a key role in shaping her love for language and storytelling. 

Session 2- Public Speaking

The second session, designed for the students of classes IX and XI, focused on the powerful and widely relevant theme of public speaking. Ms Srinivasan began by reading a short speech to set the tone for the session, immediately capturing the attention of the young audience.

She then shared heartfelt anecdotes from her early life, revealing how her love for language and expression took shape. She spoke candidly about being a shy child who once struggled with stage fright. Through personal stories, she illustrated how she gradually overcame her fear, with the support of her family, her school environment, and most importantly, her teachers. Their encouragement, she said, played a defining role in shaping her confidence.

Highlighting the importance of vocal clarity, she recalled how her teachers would engage students in playful yet effective articulation exercises. They would askthe students to lay stress on words like “pucker” or “lemon,” or even roaring like a tiger, to help them loosen their facial muscles and project their voices confidently. These simple activities, she emphasised, made a lasting difference in helping her speak clearly and fearlessly.

She reassured the students that nervousness before stepping onto a stage is completely natural, sharing the example of the celebrated actress Barbra Streisand, who openly spoke about being so anxious before performances that she would occasionally throw up. Even the most accomplished individuals experience fear, she said, but they go on stage anyway.

Ms Srinivasan then outlined a few key elements of effective public speaking, emphasising the importance of using expressive body language to convey confidence and connect with the audience. She highlighted the need to plan one’s speech thoughtfully, ensuring a clear beginning, middle and end. She also stressed the value of identifying one’s audience, understanding who they are and what will resonate with them, so the message can be communicated meaningfully. Finally, she encouraged students to practise consistently, reminding them that regular rehearsal is essential for building confidence and achieving fluency in delivery.

She strongly encouraged students to participate actively in debate, elocution competitions and other speaking opportunities, as these help build confidence, refine language skills and nurture clarity of thought. She emphasised the transformative power of reading, reminding students that books expand vocabulary, deepen understanding and cultivate a lifelong love for words.

Towards the end of the session, Ms Srinivasan spoke about her book, Good Innings, a heartfelt tribute to her mother and, by extension, to all women who are courageous, resilient and self-affirming. She shared that the title was inspired by her mother’s own words, “I have had a good innings,” which beautifully encapsulated her gratitude and optimism.

Both sessions were deeply enriching, leaving students inspired, energised and eager to explore the world of words. Ms Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan’s warmth, wisdom and engaging storytelling made the day truly memorable for the young learners.