Mangalore's Own Talent Brings 'Taare Zameen Par'
 
Ares, Daijiworld Media Network, Goa

Panaji, Feb 9: There is, absolutely, no similarity between Deviprasad Rao and mega star Aamir Khan except for the fact that what Aamir did on screen is what Rao did off screen in Goa.

For last two years uninterrupted Rao, a young abstract painter, born in Mangalore and now settled in Goa, has been tutoring kids suffering from dyslexia giving allowing them to vent out their creativity through painting, similar to that of what is depicted in Taare Zameen Par (TZP).

"Someone told me about the movie and I was so much excited watching it. It was nothing new to me as I have been actively involved with such kids since August 2005 through the art exploration program," Rao, who is associated with Sethu, an NGO working with kids with learning disabilities, stated.

Drawing yet another similarity between Aamir Khan's cast as a teacher, who himself suffered dyslexia in childhood, Rao too conceded of suffering with this problem. "I was not just dyslexic but also victim of a pedophile who exploited me for almost three years between nine to eleven years," Rao said.

Originally hailing from Mangalore (Karnataka), Rao has shifted his base  to Goa since 2004 and has carved a niche for himself as a painter.

Rao said that working with dyslexic children is not an easy job but fulfilling because `they are more creative than normal child.' "I pull out their imagination which they pour on the canvass. It's not just painting. It's a developmental process. Working with such children is not (not) an easy job but very fulfilling one," he said.

"They have a great potential to become artists, painters, actors. I wish I would have given them more time," Rao, who conducts the classes almost alternate days and even as normal kids attending them, said.

Working for a small flat in Panaji's plush locality, Rao explains how children who were reluctant to move their fingers manage to move their hand on the paper or canvass after little training.

"I am happy that TZP happened. The movie brought awareness amongst the parents and teachers. People come out openly and admit that their child is dyslexic," the 38 year old painter said.

Rao feels that despite such an awareness there are many parts in India where parents are not aware about it. ``It is not right such a child could be more creative than normal kid because their innocence is much more pure. They are loving kids too," he said.

``If any one find such issues with kids they must go to Child Specialist or experts in Dyslexia or NGO's working with this issue for consultation in First place," he said.

"After all innocence has greater power than otherwise. What we need to do is give them compassionate support and encouragement," Rao added.

While creativity of these children may not be unraveled only through painting, Rao said that painting is an important tool for a child to open their mind.