The recitation of literary passages or extensive literary works holds a revered place among Bengalis (an excerpt from Pradip Ghosh for your reference here), a tradition not as widely embraced in other parts of the country. Zia Mohyeddin's groundbreaking work in Urdu remains unparalleled, with its counterpart in Hindi yet to take root.

Pradip Ghosh (1942 – 16 October 2020) was a Bengali elocutionist. His father, elocutionist Chinmoy Jeeban Ghosh introduced him to the art of recitation at the age of three. Ghosh was a pioneer, who made recitation widely accepted within the cultural milieu of Bengal during the 1960s.

In contrast, Western countries have long recognized the importance of elocution, instituting training programs since the 18th century. However, in India, such emphasis remains a rarity. Apart from occasional coaching for theater, music, and cinema, many are left bereft of proper guidance.

It may be deemed an unpopular stance, but it's crucial to acknowledge that amidst the overwhelming academic pressure imposed by schools and parents to attain societal status, the practice of 'reading aloud' often gets overlooked.

In this environment, characterized by a predominance of female teachers, children are enveloped in a delicate and sheltered atmosphere, which inadvertently stifles the development of their elocution skills.

Consequently, their vocal range, resonance, and projection are hindered, limiting their expressive capabilities.

Irfan | 29 April 2024