People and stories
Recycling Happiness – Malathi Rao
She may be pushing 80 and homebound with several ailments but Malathi Rao hasn’t let any of that take away from her inherent spirit of spreading happiness, talent and joy. Vishaka Srinath meets the grand old lady of recycling.
Recycled art by Malathi Rao
Que sera sera… whatever will be will be, the future is not ours to see, what will be, will be – This song sung by Doris Day is the song Malathi Rao sings for me the first time I meet her. If you close your eyes and hear her voice, it’s easy to think she’s in her 50s, not 79 going on 80. The song symbolises Malathi Rao’s way of looking at life. Beneath the warm hearted and jovial grandmotherly demeanour lies a woman with a large heart and a never give up attitude.
A woman with many talents, Malathi Rao is known for her recycling work. She has also been involved with charitable causes all her life, especially for the welfare of women and children. In fact, in 1986, she was awarded by UNICEF for selling 22,000 (yes you read the number right) greeting cards for the promotion of immunisation for children. “My gift of gab got me this award,” she tells us.
At nearly 80, ill health hasn’t taken away the zeal to do something from Malathi Rao. She has overcome a a stroke, an aneurism in her brain, a cataract surgery and a hip replacement to still manage to look at life with a smile and help others. When asked what makes her smile despite the ailments, she says, “God has given me plenty, the supreme being has fully protected me.” Do your best, leave to god the rest, is how she sums up her spiritual outlook.
Though now mostly homebound, Malathi ajji passes on her talent by teaching the girls from nursing agencies who have been taking care of her, especially after her hip replacement surgery as she needed help to move around the house. She has taught them recycling and other crafts, apart from painting, drawing and stitching to harness their talents.
Laxmi, who stays with Malathi ajji says that the teachings have brought about a change in her personality and given her more confidence, new opinions and outlook. Malathi ajji is proud of it. “I have been able to get a level of strength in them,” she enthusiastically admits. Her another cause of pride is former caretaker who has now started craft classes for 6-8 children, after learning craft and art from Malathi.
What’s amazing is Malathi Rao’s unfazed enthusiasm and eagerness to help, even when life hasn’t always been kind to her. Losing her husband at a very young age, she was left alone with two children in Nigeria and had to fill the void left by their father. She devoted her life to her children and only took up other activities once they had grown up and settled down. Music and recycling were her two retirement plans. She has been part of various music groups and orchestras.
Recycling
Sock puppets
Recycling is Malathi Rao’s true calling. Every unused item is turned into an object of beauty, whether it is toys out of old socks or miniature playthings out of cardboard. Everyday objects are turned them into works of art. Age hasn’t deterred her from going ahead with her mission to teach recycling to others. A few years ago, Malathi ajji even travelled to London to teach the kids of St. Nicolas Church School and visited Philippines, where she taught paper craft at the Brent International School. Very recently, she held a workshop at Rangoli Metro Art Centre in Bangalore on recycling. It’s her small way of “giving back” with joy and happiness.
Being a world traveller herself, Malathi ajji feels that “travelling makes a person broad minded.” With children settled overseas, she does not mind living on her own and says the distance does not make a difference. “The idea is to keep the family bond together.”
Age truly cannot wither Malathi Rao. She truly adds a new meaning to the Shakespearean adage, with a mind full of ideas and plans. Still keen on working,volunteering and helping children and counting them among her blessings, she adds that as elderly, we “need to examine our positivity” instead of being negative about things. She lives up to it with her work and her little ‘Phasebook,’ a little booklet where she asks everyone she meets to jot down their thoughts. It gives her the confidence and motivation to live life to the brim.
If you wish to contact Malathi Rao to learn recycling art, write to silvertalkies@gmail.com. She is based in Bangalore.
Photographs: Vishaka Srinath
Comments
Pankajam Balasundaram.
16 Jul, 2012
Thank you, Silver Talkies for introducing such wonderful persons like Malathy Roa.I have wowed myself to be more active from today.
U A Vasanth Rao
15 Jul, 2012
I have know Ms. Malthi Rao for nearly 30 years. I first met her when I was working at the Bal Bhavan, Bangalore in the year 1985. She was a Art Resource person at the center and taught children how to make wealth out of waste. Her classes would always be full with children, who would bring each day all kind of waste material and she would put ideas together and the children would cheerfully do the project and Volla there emerged a piece of art to the delight of the child and more so the parent who found that the child spent their summer creatively. Ms. Malathi energy is amazing and could hold the attention of both children and adults for very long time as her art was interactive and stimulating. It but a logical for me get Ms. Malathi Rao involved at the Rangoli Metro Art Center, Bangalore (R-MAC) when the center opened last year to help me put together a workshop. I headed the R-MAC, and was on the look out for Art resources person, who could share their passion with the people of Bangalore. She along with the Ms. Surekha, Curator, of RMAC put together a great show which enthralled both the children and parents. Not only the children and adults got engrossed in the creative work, but even journalist who came to cover the event got involved in creating wonders with just ordinary bindies. The article and the photographs by Vishaka Srinath captures the essence and quintessence of Ms. Malathi Rao. I am so glad to have met Ms. Malathi Rao- she is an inspiration to me. She is a living legend and the city is proud of her. UA VAsanth Rao, General Manager (Finance) BMRCL
Kathyayini Chamaraj
14 Jul, 2012
I have known Malathi Rao for around 28 years. Our association began with our common love for old Hindi film songs and also our penchant for hand-made crafts. A highlight was a dance she choreographed to a song from one of Anil Biswas's films when Anil Biswas, the legendary Hindi film music director, was honoured by the Vintage Hindi Music Lovers' Association. Malathi's infectious enthusiasm, constant good spirits and creativity is an inspiration. One always comes away feeling positive, with lifted spirits after engaging with her. She spreads good cheer wherever she is. Kudos to her!
Nuggehallipankaja
13 Jul, 2012
mALATHI WAS MY CONVENT-MATE WHEN YOUNG.aS SUCH, i AM PROUD OF HER.lIFE HD BEEN CRUEL TO HER AT A YOUNG AGE,BUT SHE HAS FOUGHT AND PROVED HERSELF.hANDS OFF!
Silvertalkies
12 Jul, 2012
Thank you all for your kind words. It was our honour to feature her. Team Silver Talkies
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