The Vivid Air: A Memoir

The Vivid Air Short Description. Though Prof. Sukumar Nayar describes himself as ordinary, most ordinary men don't visit 41 countries, climb Kilimanjaro, get introduced to His Highness the Aga Khan or serve the United Nations as a consultant Just when you think the globe-trotting, ever-inquisitive Nayar has settled down, he embarks on a bold, new jaunt to another locale. His zest for life translates into an extra ordinary tale. During his quiet beginnings in Kerala, India, Nayar shows no marked signs of ambition or intellectual engagement, except a remarkable affection for language and words. When the British Government recruits him to the civil service and sends him to Uganda, his horizons are suddenly expanded. There he meets his wife, who also would eventually retire with him as an instructor, advances his career and forever changes his relationship with academia and his perception of the world. In 1965 when he settles down in Alberta, Canada, initially to head a high school and later to teach at the Grande Prairie Regional College, it seems, at last, that Nayar has landed. However, the call of the stage is strong and he quickly becomes a leader in the local theatre community, mounting daring and provocative plays. We also find him in New York studying with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan, having dinner with Helen Hayes, and getting involved in a serious study of masks and rituals. Not being satisfied with academia and theatre, the restless professor gets himself recruited by the United Nations, and travels to many countries including Mongolia and Papua New Guinea. The Vivid Air is an autobiographical account of a personal story that is sometimes surprising, often humorous and always interesting. Though it eschews traditional chronology, it is as free flowing and joyous as its author's approach to living. This passionate world citizen relishes every breath of the vivid air that he breathes.

Author Biography. Prof. Sukumar Nayar was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India in 1928. He has over sixty years of experience as an educator, administrator, and dramaturge on four continents. He was also a consultant for the United Nations. He has graduate and post graduate degrees from the University of Kerala, University of London, University of Montana and the New York University. During his long and varied career, he has been the recipient of many awards. These include the Distinguished Services Medal from the British Government, the Millennium Award for outstanding citizens from the Government of Alberta and the Millennium Theatre 100 Award, given to 100 practitioners who had made significant contribution to the development of theatre in Alberta. Nayar has directed, produced or acted in over 150 theatrical productions. He has travelled widely and speaks six languages. He currently resides in Toronto.