Acting isn’t confined to just the stage or screen for Beena R. Chandran. The 2023 State Film Award winner for Best Actor (Female) in Kerala for her outstanding performance in Fazil Razak’s film “Thadavu,” Beena sees her acting skills as a versatile tool that she employs not just for entertainment, but also for education. As a dedicated school teacher at CEUP School in Parudur, located in Palakkad district, she integrates acting into her lessons, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for her students.
Chandran’s recent accolade has only amplified her commitment to her roots in the theater arts. Merely hours after receiving the award, she took to the stage to perform a 40-minute solo play titled “Otta Njaval Maram” for Kalapadasala, Arangottukara—a theatre group she has been affiliated with for many years. This seamless transition from award recipient to performer illustrates her unyielding dedication to both her craft and her community.
“I have been a part of amateur theatre groups since my school days,” Chandran shared in an exclusive interview with The Hindu. “My skills have been honed through acting in these dramas over the years. In the school where I teach, we have a children’s theatre. I teach English and Malayalam through skits and other performances because these are found to be more effective in conveying ideas to the children. For the past 28 years, I have been in the teaching profession, and I have just two more years to retire.”
Before her breakout role in “Thadavu,” Beena’s filmography consisted of minor roles in films directed by P.P. Sudevan and M.G. Sasi. Nonetheless, her talent did not go unnoticed. Fazil Razak, who himself was awarded the Best Debutant Director for “Thadavu,” recognized her potential early on and enlisted her for a couple of short films that garnered their own accolades. However, stepping into the spotlight as the central character in “Thadavu” was a transformative experience for her.
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As Geetha, Beena had the challenging task of embodying a character marked by profound emotional turmoil. Geetha’s life narrative is fraught with the scars of two failed marriages and a series of tragic events, including being wrongly accused of causing a child’s death. Despite these hardships, Geetha is not a character that easily garners automatic sympathy; she has her own set of flaws and complexities that make her a nuanced individual.
“I was a bit scared after reading the script because Fazil’s debut film depended much on how I performed this character,” Beena admitted. “I did a lot of homework as I wanted to bring a level of uniqueness to the performance. For instance, I tried a lot to ensure that the way I cried did not look like a copy of any other actor’s.”
Her methodical preparation and intrinsic talent paid off brilliantly. Beena has become a joint winner of the State Film Award this year, sharing the title with the veteran actress Urvashi for her role in “Ullozhukku.” Urvashi’s win marks a record-equalling sixth time, yet it is Beena’s path from a school classroom to the cinematic limelight that has captured the public imagination.
Beena’s story is not just one of individual triumph but also an inspiration to her students and fellow educators. Her innovative teaching methods, which involve using theatrical performances to elucidate lessons, demonstrate the transformative power of arts in education. Children have significantly benefited from this approach, showing better understanding and retention of the subjects being taught.
“I believe that integrating arts into education can lead to a more holistic development for the children,” Beena said. She reflects on how acting has helped her connect with her students on a deeper level, making her lessons not just informative but also enjoyable. “When children see their teacher engaging in performances, they become more interested and inquisitive. It breaks the monotony of regular teaching and creates a lively classroom atmosphere.”
As she balances her dual roles as an actress and a teacher, Beena R. Chandran continues to break barriers and set new standards in both fields. Her journey from the amateur theatre groups of her school days to the prestigious Kerala State Film Awards stage is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and an unrelenting passion for both acting and teaching. It serves as a powerful reminder that pursuing one’s passion can lead to extraordinary achievements, both personally and professionally.
