Lekhna Subbiah

This is Lekhna Subbaiah Kannambira, and I am currently studying in class 12 in Indian School Muscat.

I started my art class journey with Lakshmi ma’am, around the near end of December in 2021. I was welcomed wholeheartedly by everyone in the art class, which left a memorable first impression for me.

Since the very beginning, I was a very timid child and I remember being nervous while speaking with anyone. However all this began changing after I started attending art classes. Each class was a learning step, not only in learning art but also harnessing my speaking skills. We learnt to speak on the spot while collecting your thoughts, articulating and being able to present well. Confidence started building within me by itself. I began to realise that it’s not one’s nature not to be outspoken but it was because we didn’t have enough support and forum for public speaking. Each class, I was given the opportunity and was well guided to develop my skills and I tried to collect my thoughts well enough to get it out there without any fear. Ma'am you have not only shared your wealth of knowledge but also given me wisdom, patience to listen to positive and negative comments and understanding it in a positive perception. Everyone in the class has been taught to be respectful to each other and so if any points were shared to correct me during the class, I have never felt bad. In a way, this has taught, not only me but many kids in the class to take criticism. In class, no one uses harsh words like “correct it” or “this is wrong” but, everyone uses the phrase “to improve it”.

I am very grateful to ma’am, for giving me so many opportunities to tackle public speaking. Now, whenever I am given an opportunity to host or compare, I don’t back down anymore. I am very proud to say that, due to your constant help, I was able to bag an award for my speaking skills in the Model United Nation that was held in our school. I was even recommended to be the Assistant Director of a committee in MUN 2024. I was also given an opportunity for compering in the Indian Embassy for International Yoga Day. I believe that there’s a very thin line dierence between art and therapy. For me, the class is my comfort space where I can focus on what I am doing and there’s no one to judge me here. It’s a method of healing too. Prior to my exam when I go under pressure, the art classes were a way out from all this. It helped me stay calm during my tenth Board exams and was a recreation for me.

This was not the only quality that was embedded within me. I found myself to be more patient. The art work that takes us a long time to complete, is the one that teaches you a lot. Whenever ma’am asks someone to redraw their picture, I learned that it isn’t because our drawing is bad but we have the capacity to excel in it. It is never a step backwards but a step forward. I have noticed so many art works that needed 5 to 7 redraws but in the end, all the eort put into it was worth it. An art work of mine, had taken more than 2 months to complete but I did not have the spirit to give up. This is because ma’am never gave up on us. Ma’am, pushes us to do our very best, whether for a 10 year old child or a college student, she motivates us to go further than what we assume our limit is. I find it quite inspiring and it has really taught values of perseverance.

Making a frame is my most favourite part of the class. It is like a trophy that hangs up on our wall. Frames are not made solely by seniors but younger kids are encouraged to do too. When I made my first frame (although it wasn’t decided in the beginning to be one), I was extremely elated. Everyday I would pass through my hallway and gaze at it for a few minutes and go back to what I was doing. For a younger child, it is like their biggest accomplishment in life.

Finally I conclude by saying that I joined art classes to learn art but I am confident that I will leave with much more than just that. Thank you for being more than a teacher, for being a mentor, a guide and a source of inspiration.

“A teacher presents the past, reveals the present and creates the Future - Dr. Radhakrishnan”