Winning Stroke: Interview with Dr Vaijayanthi Subramanian, Author & Associate Professor MS Ramaiah Medical College
1) If not in the current profession, you would be?
I think this is a time for moonlighting or having more than one profession! They need not be exclusive. I am a doctor, a psychiatrist already. But I was a poet, story writer, dancer, more than a bathroom singer always.
I would pursue writing full time whenever time permits.
2) One tune you always hum?
Winner takes it all of Abba
3) One book to read for motivation?
Gone with the wind of Margaret Mitchell the last line is Tomorrow is another day! Color purple of Alice Walker I know why the caged bird sings of Maya Angelou, I derive motivation from women authors, particularly the black women authors.
4) One dialogue of a movie that motivates you a lot?
Briseis speaks to Achilles "I will rather be raped a thousand times than let a thousand men die because of me" She is rebuking Helen of Troy for causing the war between the Trojans and Spartans.
Achilles tells her " Gods envy us because we are mortal"
I love these dialogues because they are profound and uphold the deep reverence for life as taught by Abert Schweitzer philosopher and Nobel laureate for music and peace.
5) The place you have never been to and always want to go?
I have not traveled much or I have traveled too little. I wish to see Japan, a country that has seen so many tragedies, yet has lived with National post-traumatic stress disorder. I respect their resilience.
6) If your life was made into a movie, who would you want to play your character?
I am a person who likes privacy. As long as I am alive I would not allow this, posthumously a director can choose whoever can carry the role. Living as me is always more difficult than a role playing me!
7)Luck or hard work which you think weighs more in defining a successful person?
I think working hard till you succeed is the only way most people succeed!
8) One best decision you ever made?
I was the heroine of a blockbuster film in Kannada at 22 years, but I continued my medical profession and did not continue in films. This is the best decision I made. I got to save a few lives and restore sanity to many minds. I love this profession and the opportunities I was given to do noble work,
9) A strategy you use to take important decisions in personal and professional life?
I take a decision that helps all those I love, seldom selfish decisions.
10) Whose advice do you seek when in a dilemma?
My father and my little sister.
11) What has been your biggest achievement?
All are small. Among them, the biggest achievement is being a mother and an efficient doctor.
12) One thing you want to change in yourself?
Several things I want to change in myself. I wish I was not so emotional in all walks of life. I wish I was less vulnerable, though it is also my strength.
13) One line by your close one you will never forget?
My English teacher in 8th standard read my essay and was ecstatic, she said " Someday I will see your name among renowned writers of this country "
And my class teacher in school would call me to sing prayer songs in the assembly without preparation and say " Devotion is enough for this song no need for loudspeaker nor rehearsal. You have it. Now, go and sing "
