She sculpts feelings
Rajni Padaruth
By Rajni Padaruth
Published on 30th May, 2008
Any one can learn how to paint, says Mala Ramyead, Head of the Fine Arts Department, Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI). There's no need for inborn talent; one can develop one’s talent, skills and determination. It’s just a matter of interest, she thinks.
Mala says: “Most people are not fully aware of their hidden skills and interests. One must identify those interests. It’s simply a matter of changing one's interest into one's passion. Having talent is not enough. Having an interest in what one does is more important. This will help one to learn and enjoy the work and to achieve success by enhancing one's skills. Take my case. I was very much interested in arts and decided to pursue my studies in Fine Arts.”
Mala completed her Bachelor in Fine Arts at Kala Bhavan (Department of Fine Arts), Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India in 1979.
Later she got a job as lecturer at MGI. That was not enough for her. She wanted to hone her skills and her talent by continuing her studies. In 1987, she got a scholarship for further studies. She went to India and took her Masters’ Degree in Fine Arts from Delhi University, in 1989.
Mala says fine arts is a very costly subject. A student needs to buy a lot of materials to learn this subject. Not only in Mauritius, this study is also expensive every where in the world. Fine arts is concerned with a number of visual and performing art forms, including painting, sculpture, dance, theatre, architecture and printmaking, digital art, etc. Earlier, in Mauritius, opportunities to study fine arts were very limited. There were only diploma and certificate courses. Now things have changed. Degree courses, with specialization in painting, printing, digital art, among others, are available.
Mala says: “I love doing my work. Being the head of Department, I have many responsibilities and despite my heavy schedule, I still continue with my work especially in sculpture, wooden work, modules in metals, etc. Artistic work is very interesting; you can easily express your inner feelings in your work of art. The word "fine arts" does not denote the quality of the artwork, but the purity of soul and inner feelings.”
She thinks there are good prospects in fine arts because every one likes beautiful and attractive things. After completing their studies, students can easily get a job. Some of them go for teaching and otherscan find employment in the private sector.
Mala is still in touch with the Kala Bhavan, where she studied for five years and also learnt the local language, Bengali. She tries to help the Mauritian students who want to go there and get the support they need.
“Women are working hard and successfully playing their various roles in society. More women are taking jobs, in Government, in the private sector, and many are doing well in business. Women’s workforce is playing a vital role in society and they are becoming key players. They are able to fulfil their various duties, as wives, mothers and in social life also. Every woman must choose her direction if she wants to be a career person. She has to plan lateral as well as horizontal growth. Woman is really successful when she emerges out of her work and her family with respect and dignity,” Mala says.
Mala completed her Bachelor in Fine Arts at Kala Bhavan (Department of Fine Arts), Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India in 1979.
Later she got a job as lecturer at MGI. That was not enough for her. She wanted to hone her skills and her talent by continuing her studies. In 1987, she got a scholarship for further studies. She went to India and took her Masters’ Degree in Fine Arts from Delhi University, in 1989.
Mala says fine arts is a very costly subject. A student needs to buy a lot of materials to learn this subject. Not only in Mauritius, this study is also expensive every where in the world. Fine arts is concerned with a number of visual and performing art forms, including painting, sculpture, dance, theatre, architecture and printmaking, digital art, etc. Earlier, in Mauritius, opportunities to study fine arts were very limited. There were only diploma and certificate courses. Now things have changed. Degree courses, with specialization in painting, printing, digital art, among others, are available.
Mala says: “I love doing my work. Being the head of Department, I have many responsibilities and despite my heavy schedule, I still continue with my work especially in sculpture, wooden work, modules in metals, etc. Artistic work is very interesting; you can easily express your inner feelings in your work of art. The word "fine arts" does not denote the quality of the artwork, but the purity of soul and inner feelings.”
She thinks there are good prospects in fine arts because every one likes beautiful and attractive things. After completing their studies, students can easily get a job. Some of them go for teaching and otherscan find employment in the private sector.
Mala is still in touch with the Kala Bhavan, where she studied for five years and also learnt the local language, Bengali. She tries to help the Mauritian students who want to go there and get the support they need.
“Women are working hard and successfully playing their various roles in society. More women are taking jobs, in Government, in the private sector, and many are doing well in business. Women’s workforce is playing a vital role in society and they are becoming key players. They are able to fulfil their various duties, as wives, mothers and in social life also. Every woman must choose her direction if she wants to be a career person. She has to plan lateral as well as horizontal growth. Woman is really successful when she emerges out of her work and her family with respect and dignity,” Mala says.