#CovidCrusader: It's true what they say—not all heroes wear capes. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the warriors of today are the ones that wear a mask. In our very first Digital-only issue, Vivel and Femina are introducing you to those brave souls who are breaking the norms, risking their lives on a daily basis to make sure that people in need don't go hungry, everyone around you is well protected against the virus, stray animals are fed and taken care of.
Meet one such hero: Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan
Retelling stories from the Jataka Tales, Panchatantra, Tenali Raman and Aesop, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan (60), offers kids a diversion and parents some relief during the three-week lockdown in India. The talented voiceover artiste shuttles between California and India for work interests and has taken to YouTube to contribute her bit to families in isolation, by narrating popular stories that keep children engaged while also introducing them to iconic fables and folk tales. Excerpts from an interview:
What was your initial reaction to the Coronavirus outbreak, and what are your thoughts now on the global health crisis–both in India and the USA?
Like many, I did not take the news as seriously as I should have at the beginning of the year. I was in India when news of the pandemic broke in March, and I returned to California on the eve of the lockdown. This global health crisis is serious and requires a coordinated community response apart from vigilant, consistent social isolation before we can rise above it.
As a grandmother of young children, did you spot the challenges of keeping them constructively engaged during the lockdown?
Absolutely, though my grandchildren do not live with me, in their case, their parents have effectively and interestingly managed the school closures by maintaining the structure to the day, setting schedules, and varying activities to keep the children happy.
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Where did the idea of starting a series of online storytelling sessions stem from? What kind of stories are part of it?
Many children’s books authors are providing storytelling sessions on social media. Online storytelling is a way to connect with the community during a time of social isolation, so it’s no surprise that authors want to share their work in this manner. My purpose is different. Instead of reading my own work, I thought it would be fun to share retellings of the old classics from my childhood such as the like from Jataka Tales, Panchatantra, Tenali Raman and Aesop. These stories don’t seem to be part of today’s consciousness as much as they used to be when I was a child. Their simple ideas, strong message, and instructive story-lines are perfect for a read-aloud format that children enjoy.
What were the challenges of executing it?
I’m used to working with audio software like Audacity for my projects, but I am not as technically skilled with video software, so that was the first hiccup. And for the sort of informal read-aloud sessions that I’m recording on YouTube that has no graphics, it’s essential to keep the stories short to keep the children interested. I’ve been rewriting the stories for this retelling, so they are under 400 words, and the language is contemporary and clear.
Where do you plan to go with this endeavour over the next few weeks? What is the typical age group of the children you’re targeting?
At the outset, my goal is to file one story a day for the three weeks of lockdown. I have received encouraging responses from parents who find my retellings a good diversion, and also mention that the children eagerly look forward to the next story. This read-aloud series is most likely for ages 4-8, but it’s not limited to a particular age group. Some of these stories are also part of a larger creative endeavour. Invis Multimedia has recorded 20 stories that use my voice in a project called Great Indian Stories, and these stories have been performed by classical dancer Rajashree Warrier. The videos are available here.
Also Read: 6 Ways You Can Discuss Coronavirus With Your Child
Are there any other constructive ways to keep children engaged? What can parents and families do to cope?
I think mixing up activities and involving children in household duties is a constructive approach to getting through this period of uncertainty. Physical activity each day, some reading and writing, art and craft, social connection with family and friends with Skype or Facetime, daily entertainment with music, dance, games and TV can be useful. Children are resilient and make the most of every situation, especially if they have the security and strength of home and family.
How did you get into the professional voiceover space?
I began a radio broadcast for a series called Perspective in San Francisco in 2008 with the line, “I’ve loved words ever since I was a little girl” and it’s absolutely true. Words, their sound, their cadence, the dynamism of their connotations which lend to expression—all resonated with me from my early years. I enjoyed performing on stage (won a prize for performing Hans Christian Andersen’s Ugly Duckling when I was 6) excelled at elocutions, and continued my passion for theatre throughout school and college. But my thespian and voiceover talents took a back seat while I was working and raising children. Then I wrote a piece for Perspective, had the pleasure of reading it for National Radio, and was surprised when the sound engineer asked if I was a professional voice talent as I nailed the time limit with just one read. When I quit my full-time job in 2009 to explore other creative interests and have the flexibility of bi-annual trips to India, I knew that voiceover work was something I had to try. I created a professional demo and sent it to a friend who was a fan of my voice. He shared it with a producer and the rest, as they say, is history!
Please tell us about some of your projects?
I’m fortunate to say that despite many years in the USA, my accent is more global than local, which is useful as I work across disciplines and for producers and clients from all over the world. I’ve recorded narrations for socially-themed films in India, training manuals in the Silicon Valley, wildlife documentaries, online recipe books, Ayurveda descriptions, audiobooks, travel videos, dance-dramas and more. My clients are corporations, non-profits, dance companies, biotechnology firms, and creative artists who look for the right voice for their projects.