Sandeep with his mother Jayasree and Gayathri. Photo: ManoramaKannur: P.T. Sandeep's nimble steps on the Kerala Natanam stage are powered by a group of employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). They want the plus-two student to reach his destination, as wished by his father who met an untimely death while on duty at the KSRTC depot at Mananthavady in Wayanad.
Sandeep's father Sathyan, a temporary worker at the corporation, died when he came under the wheels of a bus in reverse at the depot. He had just got off a bus to exchange the money to small change.
Sathyan's family was desolate. However, his colleagues and friends did not left them in lurch. They knew Sandeep was talented. They earmarked a part of their salaries to support his training.
The financial crisis at the corporation and the part-payment of wages did not affect the fund raising.
Sandeep rose to expectations. The student at the Perambra Higher Secondary School bagged the first prize in the Kerala Natanam contest at the Kozhikode district-level school arts festival.
In Kannur to compete at the state school arts festival, Sandeep is busy answering calls from his father’s former colleagues and friends. They can’t wait to hear the good news.
Hopes are high. All eyes are on Sandeep. He had come first at the festival last year. He is trained by Bharatanjali Madhusoodanan, who does not charge him any fee. Even Sandeep's little sister, Gayathri, is training with him. The fourth-standard student has also marked her presence with a handful of prizes.
Talent runs in the family. Sandeep's mother Jayasree is pursuing a degree course in Bharatanatyam. She supported her family after the death of her husband by working as a temporary sweeper at the KSRTC and later in the corporation's upholstery section. Jayasree has since found a job as a temporary work experience teacher.
Sandeep's pursuit of his dream is also supported by an association of former students of his school. They have set aside the money needed for Sandeep to complete his education.
