There’s never a dearth of learning if one is keen to learn. Teachers are not just confined to schools and colleges, they are all around us. A relative may teach you a lesson in humility, your servant may help you understand your duties. One’s appreciation for work or mannerisms may encourage you, other’s criticism may help you do better.
Painter Sudip Roy believes life is a constant learning process. He never falls short of lessons. Even his friends and acquaintances come with lessons. His Kolkata-based entrepreneur friend Abhijeet Majumdar despite his huge stature is very polite and humble to his staffs. “He never orders them, but always requests. And the best part is he never hesitates in accepting a mistake. He has taught me humility,” says Roy, who throughout his life has come across many such teachers, his mom, his first art teacher Basudev Roy and artist Vikas Bhattacharya being the biggest influences in his life.
For filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, learning started from the time he was born, his father being his biggest teacher and critic. “An advertising professional, my father taught me the most important lessons of life, being creative was one of them,” says Rahul, whose encounters with different people at various points in time have led him to being what he is today. “A brief encounter with a friend (who is no more) introduced me to cinema. Another small association with Shekhar Kapoor was also a big learning experience. After that I moved to America and got in touch with a documentary filmmaker who had worked with my father. I started working with him on various documentaries. He influenced me in more ways than one,” says Rahul, who picks up little good habits to make him a better human being.
Sometimes, people around you at home turn out to be the greatest teachers. Karan Vir Arora, founder of Vimanika Comics, found his mentor and guide in his elder brother Kapil and mom Sudha. He says he can run his company successfully because of the teachings of his brother. “They have shaped me to be who I am. My brother has taught me how to survive difficult situations, how to be confident and sure about things I believe in,” says Karan.
And for santoor player Rahul Sharma, lessons began at home. “My father has been the first guru in my life,” he says and adds that since he was also his music teacher, everything that he is today is because of him. He has always learnt from people he has come across, picking up lessons from wherever he can. He has been greatly influenced by Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Michael Brooks and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
With inputs by
Shruti Badyal