Know your Member - CS Santhosh, Ventriloquist (Artist Creates voice appear to come from somewhere else, typically a dummy- Doll )

 1.      Please tell us about your parents, family, schooling and graduation

My Father’s name is late M. Ranghai, a State Government Employee and my Mother’s name is  M.Linganama, a house wife.  My parents gave me good values and provided the best education.

I did my schooling, graduation and CS course in Hyderabad.

My wife is also a Company Secretary working in Hyderabad.

2. When did you start doing CS? Kindly share your journey as a CS Student

 

I started doing CS in the year 2002, in between I had a thought it was not possible. But mentors like CS PS Rao Sir and CA Naveen Sir, CS Lavanya Chandra Madam have  pushed me to complete the CS course. I finally qualified in the year 2009.  During the CS journey, I used to regularly perform for the ICSI –Hyderabad Chapter events and SIRC events held in Hyderabad. I am thankful to CS Maruthi Sir who always included my name for the cultural events held in Hyderabad. ICSI Hyderabad chapter Senior members and Past Presidents of ICSI Hanumanth  Raju Sir, and Dr Jagan Mohan Sir treated me with respect whenever I performed for CS events organised in Hyderabad.

 

During the CS student days, I got the opportunity to visit overseas leadership training in UAE and Sri Lanka conducted by Junior Chamber International.

CS qualification gave me wings to fly. During the employment as a CS many senior professionals in the office encouraged and supported my first maiden visit to USA to attend the international ventriloquism convention in year 2012.

3.      After getting CS membership, did you work in Corporate or was in practice? Share this journey as well…

 

After qualification, I had joined as a compliance officer with an Investment banker in Hyderabad.

I had worked with Infra, Nutraceuticals, Edutech and Pharma Companies as a CS.

 During my employment I have attended ICSI international seminars in UAE and UK.

 

  4.      What is Ventriloquism? How you were attracted to it?

 Ventriloquism is an art of voice illusion created by a ventriloquism artiste without moving lips and manipulating a dummy doll with hand.

 

During my school days a Ventriloquism artiste performed in our school. Since then, I had fascination and interest to learn this art. Initially I attended workshops under the guidance of Mr.G.V.N.Raju, a well-known soft skills trainer. After initial training, I did a diploma in fine arts under the guidance of Padmasree Dr.N.V.Madhav from PST University, Hyderabad. 

After qualifying as a CS,  I had travelled to USA to attend the Ventriloquism Convention.

 

This is one of the world’s best Ventriloquism convention, which happens every year at USA. Not only Ventriloquism artistes, but also the people having interest in ventriloquism from all over the world attend this 4-day convention held every year at USA.

 

During the 4-day ventriloquism convention, we get exposure to some of the world’s best ventriloquism artiste shows and workshops to learn more about the art.

This also give an opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world.

 5.      When did you decide to make Ventriloquism and being a Public speaker as your career? How is life after taking this decision?

 

The decision to become a professional ventriloquism artiste was taken at the time of career planning during Graduation.

 

 Subsequently I have attended the public speaking and leadership training and completed Zone trainer programme organised by the Junior Chambers International (JCI), an NGO working for the development of individuals as leaders.

 

Pursued a diploma in fine arts under the guidance of Padma Sree Dr.N.V.Madhav.

 

Attended the special English language courses conducted by the British Council  through the British Library in Hyderabad.  

In year 2019, I have moved completely to make the Ventriloquism and Public speaking as a fulltime career. Life has been great after that. It was my dream and passion to travel across India and other parts of the world to motivate people to be happy and be positive through the art of ventriloquism.  I have travelled to USA, UAE and Germany last year 2022.

 

 

 6.      I am sure you will be able to earn more if you are employed or take up practice, but you still chose to do this. Any thought behind this?

My favourite   motivational speaker is Les Brown, one of the world’s best public speaker. He says when you have dreams, pursue it. Be courageous enough to make your mark in this world.  It is my dream to perform ventriloquism shows across different parts of the world.

I have so for travelled to USA, UK, UAE, Germany and Sri Lanka (travelling USA and UAE regularly). 

In terms of money, there is a lot of scope to earn money through the art;  as an artiste, I meet a lot of professionals from different walks of life from different parts of world.

Whenever I perform and meet the professionals, school teachers, principals, students, I tell them that life has more value when you live it with passion. Not to neglect studies, they should complete their basic education before they get into other fields.

I believe if we have talent and nurture it, one day it will take us around the world. Today my talent of Ventriloquism is taking me around the world.

 

7.      What are the opportunities?

External resources training the teachers on voice modulation and use puppet for class-room teaching.

Giving pep talks and motivating higher-class students to develop positive thinking.

Perform a special show for primary students creating awareness about good behaviour, how to avoid cell phone and TV addictions.

Working with educational institutions in India and the Middle East.

 8        How are you connected with CS Institute now? What is your thought about CS course and Company Secretaries in general?

Connection with the CS Institute:  During the pandemic, I had conducted many programmes online for different ICSI chapters across India. The topics were on developing positive personality, improving communication skills, etc.

I am also doing a CS career awareness programme through the ventriloquism art. Visiting different educational institutions, doing a brief performance and then doing a pep talk about the importance of CS profession.

 CS is a very good professional course. The landscape of the profession is changing. These days I am seeing many CS professionals who are doing excellent in India and abroad.   Some of the professionals are limiting themselves to Company Law. But they can explore many areas and make them more relevant for their job profile. This profession needs continuous improvement in terms of knowledge and communication skills.

 

 Interview by: CS A Mohan Kumar, Central Council Member ICSI