The Times said narcissistic syndrome is endemic and I don’t feel too well. I am definitely not one. I have been quite nervous about this presentation I must admit. I frantically called up my dad and told him how much i mumble, my voice quivers. I feel as if I have no control of what I am saying. All daddy had to tell her not so little girl, I have always been jealous of you. You speak so well when you do all your plays, you know your lines so well and you say you are nervous? Then i realised, when I do a play, i don’t get to see the audience unlike right now. My topic for the presentation is IN MY LIFE. I am going to take you to the start. The origin of my name. ‘Rajatri’. Combination of Jatrik and Rajashri, I have a unique name. My family consists of my parents, my parents other daughter and Buddy my brother. Buddy is a Doberman but he surely doesn’t behave like one. We refer to him as a doberMOUSE. I have the coolest parents ever. Hard working and at the same time they always make time for us. Though there is a role reversal. My parents are home and my sister and I are hardly at home. We try and eat our meals together, sometimes we simply sing together. My dad and sister have an ear for music unlike me. They harmonise so well whereas I always sing out of tune. That’s about my family.
Born and brought up in Kolkata amidst puchka’s and rosogollas (thus it won’t be too hard for you to guess why I am round too.) In school and college, I was Jack of all trades, master of none. I used to swim, I played basketball, I rowed one year. I went for camps and treks. I did elocution and of course I did few plays. In college I even played women’s football, cricket and throwball (I have never allowed my weight to come in the way). But my passion is theatre. I worked with this group called The Action Players (TAP). Tap is a group of deaf actors and I have been a voicing actor. Working with the deaf was an extra ordinary experience. I picked up the ASL and ISL. Believe you me, working with them was a different ball game altogether. They are fabulous actors. I used to spend so much time rehearsing, that when I went back home and spoke to hearing people I automatically used to sign and talk to them. My sister never failed to tell me ‘I can hear’. Another one of my favourite plays was this production done by this boy’s school called St.James school. They put up Madagascar. I played Gloria, the hippo. Oh I loved the attention I received since I happened to be the only girl in the vicinity.
My favourite artist is Michael Jackson, the most popular man ever. I remember as a kid, I used to try and imitate him. I like variety. From the Beatles to hot Jim Morrison to sexy Shakira to loud David Guetta’s. I enjoy listening to them all and ofcourse dancing to them.
I love food. As a child I thought I’d grow up to be a gourmet but I cannot eat too much spice. Food reminds me of Kolkata. From the Bengali specialities, to Tangra Chinese, to Park street Bar-b-que chinese to the hole in the wall dhaba’s to the wayward tea stalls. Oh how could I forget the mishtis? The famous mishti doi. Well the thought of it is making me hungry. And here I am in Mumbai, eating the dabbawalla’s vegetarian meal which includes 3 kinds of pulses. Good Lord, where did I go wrong?
When writing a speech about my life I realised it is so tough since i couldn’t JFGI (Just freaking google it)... but more about me. I can be quite active when I want to be, otherwise one would see the Kolkata’s laid back attitude in me. Sitting and chatting with people is an attractive past-time for me. I enjoy spending time with my friends. I am quite amicable. Here I can quote my class 12 class teacher. She complained to my mother “She is so naughty, her skin is as thick as a rhinoceros but she is such a happy child’. Well I kind of agree. I like fun and frolic. I can be wild and whacky too. Definitely not pugnacious.
I know i am very down to earth and broad-minded.
I loved my freedom in Kolkata. I always had my baby, Betsy my little red Alto to accompany me. Kolkata being a small city, travelling is easy and quick. Now I am in hostel. Still looking out for the charm in a hostel life. Trying to cope up with my 9:30 curfew. I miss Kolkata but I have to admit Mumbai is so much more bearable after meeting and getting to know most of you. Mumbai is not treating me all that badly. I am looking forward to my Mumbai times. I want to conclude by saying,
‘I am born to be wild and now I am living to outgrow it.’
