my guru when I was two years old I was sent to a particular kind of school called asan kalari. it is meant for learning the alphabets in Malayalam. the guru in that kalari is known as asaan means the master. we, the students have no desk and bench to sit, we have to sit in the floor cross- legged. it is the custom of that school. we need to write in the sand, not in slate or book, using our finger. we should write all the alphabets in front of him. some time he will scrutinize the way we write standing behind. a letter should be written as it should be, no way of imitation, no short cut. at times we feel pain in the tip of the finger writing in the rough sand. but our guru has no sympathy. he grave look never allowed us to escape... but it is because of his training I got many prizes in good hand writing later at my schools. thank you sir.