Twinning and winning

Sometimes sibling rivalry takes a backseat. While some family members try to avoid working together, nine-year-old twin siblings Jagat Narayan and Janki Narayan, teamed up to win awards.  With their eye-catching performance in the tele film Swabodham, the twin duo won the Kerala State Television Award for Best Child Artists in male and female categories. The 50-minute-long film directed by Nahaz Zalim talks about two children who lost their parents and are then looked after by their uncle, who is a drunkard. These children have a great desire to study like many others, but fate is against them. They even have to spend their days without food. Athira (played by their cousin sister Vaiga Narayan) a school going girl from the neighborhood, helps them with food stolen from her own house. This children’s film has a great message on extending a helping hand to the oppressed. It also talks about how our youths have become self-centered and have no sympathy towards others in society.

When asked about the role, Jagat said, “My character’s name is Maniyan. His elder sister Manju (Janki) and he are very poor and have a terrible life. Playing a role like this was very tough and sometimes, by understanding these poor children’s life, I would feel sad and cry. Director Nahaz uncle was very friendly and really helped me over the course of the filming.” Swabodham has been produced by Malabar Institute for Research and Development.

Janki, who played the role of the elder sister, says at first doing this type of a role of a girl who faced a lot to troubles was tough. But later on, she could adjust to it. “During the shoot at Kadamakkudi, some local people actually thought we were two orphans roaming around the village. In two to three days, we could really gel with the characters,” she says.

The two children are not very vocal about winning the state award and never expected it. Their mother Meena Kurup, who is a dancer and managing partner of Indian Cultural and Heritage Centre in Kochi, says it is a proud moment for the family. “As a mother, I am very proud. They really worked hard for the film and it really came out well.” Their father Anil Kumar and elder brother Mukund Narayan are also very proud and supportive of the twins. Both Jagat and Janki have the experience of working in films and advertisements. Students of Toc H, Vyttila, the twins have been making their parents and school proud by winning in talent shows around the world.   

Janki began her journey by becoming an ‘all-round best student’ in 2014-2015 in the KG section of Toc H School. Recently, she represented Qatar, where her father works, in the international finale of Little Mr & Miss Universe competition held in Tbilisi, Georgia, and won four category prizes — Runner Up - Mini Miss Universe, Best Little Actress of the Universe, Best Ethnic Queen of the Universe and Best Introductory Speech. Jagat representing India won the main title of ‘Little Mr Universe Grand Prix 2016’ in the finale of Little Mr & Miss Universe competition.

Grandchildren of Dr K.K.N Kurup, former Vice Chancellor of Calicut University say that they have just started.