"I have a
dream by Martin Luther King Jr." read out the announcer. The audience let out a sigh
and fidgeted for this was the fourth contestant to recite the same piece. Though a good
one it was a little boring to hear the same over and over again. But the next minute
everything changed, as the tall, lanky and bespectacled lad took centre stage. The
audience sat up. For the almost faultless rendering of the piece coupled with the correct
emotion did convey to the audience what Martin Luther King Jr. would have wanted to
communicate.
Just under 15, Thiruvikraman, a DAV Public
High School Student, brought laurels to his school and the state when he walked home with
the cup on 28th of January. It was at the regional finals of "Voice Yourself', the
first ever All India Elocution Competition by YMCA, held in honour of Sam T. Berkeley
Hill.
Amidst 46 contestants, Thiruvikraman was the
only one who followed all the corrections made by the judges in speech, diction and accent
after the preliminary round. His teacher, Mr. Venkat praised him by saying that, "I
could see a lot of change in him in the past two days, from the prelims yesterday to the
finals today. He is quite hardworking and I feel he has a good chance at the national
finals to be held in Bombay on 26th of February.
We at Chennai Online caught up with
Thiruvikraman after the presentation function.
Q: How do you feel
about winning the cup?
A: Really great. I should thank my teacher and his efforts for he
helped me a lot.
 Q: Do you think having an English accent would be
helpful?
A: Yes. I feel improving one's accent and diction does help you,
especially when you go out on to the outside world, or when you want to get a job.
Q: Do you intend taking up
speech as a career?
A: Speaking and taking part in oratorical competitions is just a hobby,
but my ambition is to become a combat pilot in the Air force.
Q: So, do you hope to acquire
the English accent by the national finals?
A: Yes, I am going to really work hard to have an accent and proper
diction by the 26th of February by watching BBC & CNN News and reading aloud.
We at Chennai Online wish him the very best to
win more prizes and laurels.
Radha Ravi |
