Mojo - I share more than a birthdate with him!!!

A face is a source for recognition but the personality behind the face is a source for remembrance. Some individuals who grace your life leave an indelible mark and make you wonder if life would be the same without them. The feeling grows stronger when the realization hits you that they are no longer around and you would never meet them this life time again. In a busy world, everyone finds it easy to hide under the excuse of having no time to stay away from a solid social interaction. Sometimes, it is just the prioritization of the individuals in their lives or at other times it is a virtual creation of a busy state of existence. I personally believe that there is no busy state and when people say they are busy or don’t have time, it just means that they do not want to connect to you at that point. I have heard from numerous people that I have all the time in the world to message because I don’t have a job but seldom do they realize that my constant messages checking on them came from a strong experience I had and which I still regret not attending to properly.

Manoj Krishnamoorthy (I hope I got his full name right coz I have never called him Manoj let alone the full name) or Mojo as we all fondly called him, was one of the best human beings I have come across, on many counts.  Formally, he was my colleague’s husband but when I got to know him better, I came to love this gem of a person for his attitude and passion towards what he loved. I have never come across another person who loved video games more than him. He could sit on a video game for 2 days or more until he finished it and would be happy as a small kid when he wins at it. I remember introducing my cousin to him once. My cousin was planning to take up animation seriously at that time. He asked my cousin why he loved animation so much. When my cousin replied that he loved video games and wanted to design himself,  Mojo called me aside and had a hearty laugh and told me to tell my cousin to take up animation course because he loved animation and not because of video games which is just a small part of that magical world. The clarity that the man possessed and the simplicity with which he conveyed it was simply worth emulating.

We have had quite a number of get-togethers at his flat. It was one of the best groups I have ever been with and these meetings brought me closer to him. There is a reason I am speaking about him today as I realized one day that we shared the same date of birth though he was 2 years elder to me. Gradually, the more I knew the guy, I felt we had a lot more in common than we knew and I developed a tremendous amount of respect and love for the guy and we used to communicate with a lot of clarity and depth. His love for alcohol was complimented by mine too at that time and he never came across as a guy who pretended to be goody-two-shoes in front of anyone. The man was as he came and everyone could take him as he was or just let him be. It was simple life philosophy in front of my eyes.

Anyway, when I met him for the last time in Hyderabad, the handsome cheerful guy of 6 feet plus was thin like a stick and could barely stand straight. I remember taking him to my room and he had great difficulty talking too. For me, it was a heart breaking sight. There were talks about some issues in his personal life among the friends circle but me being one who never gave much ear to such things, never knew the truth. For me, the man before me needed support and guidance then. I reluctantly gave him a peg or two so that he could talk to me. At that point of time, I was packing to come home for a week and my sense of time or rather the hypocritical lack of it, made me tell him that I will come back and reach out to him. Now, when I think of it, I had rather heartlessly send him away and went to my hometown in Kerala. In the hustle and bustle of home affairs, I had forgotten about him and the next thing I heard was that he had passed away.  There were quite a few variations of the story behind his death but in the end all that hit me hard was that he was no more. I could never hear him call me “Macha” with that sheepish grin on his face or the way he spoke to me about a wide variety of things under the sun. This was a guy whom I truly related to as a person and whom I considered as a brother not by blood.

Mojo…today is your birthday too. I am sorry brother that I also got caught up in the whole busy side of the world and could not really be there to support you when you probably needed it the most. I don’t remember the date of his passing away nor do I remember how many years it has been. But trust me bro when I say that I remember you each year on my birthday. You are a strong reminder to me that time is not eternal and the busy world is just a myth. In a timeline which ends someday, where we are running off to. The only thing that defines you is how you reach out to people you care about or respond to people who reach out to you. Even now, when I make the mistake of telling someone that I am busy, I remember you. If only I could have stayed back. I don’t know if it would have made a difference but atleast I would not be feeling that I deserted you too. So, my friends, when I make an effort to reach out to you and ask you how you are doing, it is not because I am jobless but because I know what it means to lose someone and live with the realization that you could have reached out to him or her when it mattered most. It is just a few seconds to type a message but sometimes it keeps a person hopeful for a lifetime too. 

Sachin - A Billion Dreams and an Emotional Experience

Sachin….Sachin….this chant reverberated in my ears long before I even started writing I guess. In a house where a television set was bought for the first time so that my brother would not miss watching the Olympic Games, sports was always a primary source of entertainment.  From the time of Doordarshan to the present day maze of digital channels, any sport was and is still education, inspiration and entertainment for me. I definitely have to thank my dad who loved watching football, cricket and hockey with us and mostly, my brother who first taught me how to bat.

I saw the movie, “Sachin A Billion Dreams”, yesterday and it was not a couple of hours of biographical presentation of a life for me. For me, it was a trip down memory lane and a barrage of memories came flooding through. The little master was not a batsman or bowler or fielder for me as a youngster growing up, he was a happy sensation and anytime, he was on the crease, there was genuine happiness in the heart and the hope for a win for the country.  I don’t think it is any exaggeration when it is stated that when Sachin comes on to bat, people switch on their TV sets and switch off their lives. I am a living testimony to it. I don’t think there is hardly any sportsperson who has represented his or her country with so much passion and intensity like the diminutive genius has done and I do follow a variety of sports and hence do have exposure to the feats and lives of athletes from various categories of sporting events.

For me, the movie had a lot of heart to it and I didn’t bother about the low quality footages from the bygone era because I knew that when you are watching anecdotes from the life of someone you looked up to as a kid, you just feel fortunate to witness those clippings on a big screen. There were numerous moments when I literally cheered with the crowd onscreen and I can assure I was not alone in that expressive mood. I could hear a lot of claps and whistles from people and I realized that Sachin was not just an icon but a sensation of pride and motivation for a whole lot of us who were lucky enough to grow up watching the little boy from Mumbai grow into one of the most influential sportsperson of all time.

From the sheer will power to face Waqar and Wazim at their best and to battle on with a bloodied nose at the age of 16 to hitting the careers of a few bowlers like Henry Olonga and Michael Kasprowicz out of the park, the man never ceases to put one at the edge of their seats when on song. It was an absolute honor to see the footage of Sachin continuing with bloodied nose and to see him hammer the spin wizard, Abdul Qadir for a string of sixes.  The elegant straight drive, the effortless backfoot punch, the nonchalant uppercut, the imperial square cut and the aggressive hook were just some of the most deadly weapons of his arsenal. I remember trying to practice so many off his shots as a young kid and the straight drive was my favorite and still remains to be.

The most significant aspect of the movie that touched me was his connection and attachment with his family especially with his father, his brother, Ajit and his wife, Anjali. His father reminded me of my dad who never forced me to do something which I did not want to do and to this date, blindly supports me in chasing my dream. I hope I can do a fraction of what Sachin has been able to do for his late father. Also, Ajit Tendulkar reminded me of my brother, Anil Kunjunny. The bond the brothers shared were very similar with my life in that my brother always supported my decisions and we still talk on a daily basis and I discuss each aspect of my life with him without any pretense. Sometimes, he offers advices and sometimes suggestions but does not force me on either occasion to take it and rather urges me to take my own decisions and stick with it. When I started drinking, I never hid it from him and I remember his advice when he said, “Have a peg or two once in a while but never smoke”. I am not saying I have not smoked but if you count all the cigarettes I have hid till today, the number would come to hardly 2 – 3 packets. Infact, I have not smoked in the last 6 years. I started watching cricket because of my brother and he introduced me to Sachin formally I should say. There was a silent bond that developed during all those years of watching cricket together and even today, we discuss about international matches and the players who are performing well. When it comes to cricket, our discussion seldom ends or runs out of subjects.

There was quite a lot to write but then again, Sachin is beyond words and any verbal description. It is an emotion that I have carried on with me during my past 30 odd years of growing up and it is that emotion which made me shed tears during some of the moments in the film. My friend who was with me to watch the movie probably did not feel that intensity but then again, I grew up in an atmosphere where my brother prompted me to tie up an old tennis ball in a ragged sock hanging on a rope from the roof and hitting it consistently with the middle of an old cricket bat. I loved doing that and still feel extreme joy when I middle a cricket ball and watch it rush off the surface. Sport has always been a natural high state of mind and Sachin was the best drug in that sense. I must have watched both the Sharjah innings countless times. The hook shot  off Caddick in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa  or the straight drives off Brett Lee in the MCG – it all reflected class and technique.

Sachin – A Billion dreams was a reminder for me about my brother and our bond and the love for cricket we still share and I thank the man who made my younger years a joyful experience with his numerous innings which made me happy and proud as an Indian. There might be many talented youngsters who might come through and even break your records, but they will never touch the hearts of people like you did. Atleast I can vouch for one who will never be moved by another sportsperson this lifetime. You have touched my heart and soul and have taught me indirectly that beyond all talents, you need to put in hardwork and should never stop chasing your dreams and best of all, remain grounded giving respect to everything around. Thanks for all the good memories and a big thank you to the director, James and the producers and the crew, who compiled this awesome experience of a movie. 

Kaanthaa by Yakob

A middle aged man rushed through the hospital corridor with a small boy in his hands. His wife ran after him as fast as she could while trying to wipe the tears all along.  The boy was having high fever and shivering wildly.  People moved aside making way for the couple as they pushed forward through the crowd of bystanders and patients to reach the doctor. The man stopped only when he was inside the doctor’s room and an injection and a pill later, the man remembered the faces of the people he had rushed across. Almost everyone had a look of surprise or a wry smile on their faces. It was then that the woman looked at him and pointed it out. He had shaving foam stuck to his cheeks as he had rushed to the hospital amidst cleaning up his beard. They had a slight chuckle looking at each other as the small boy came to his senses and looked at them with confusion. The boy did not understand where he was or why his dad had shaving foam across one of his cheeks. The nurse came in and called out the boy’s name – Arun K. Yes, the small boy was me and I cannot hold back from being happy and proud about my parents and especially my dad who has supported me unconditionally so far in every decision that I have taken.

While growing up, I had slowly recognized his passion for arts and had even heard mention about his involvement in theater arts as a young man. I realized that my dad did love the spotlight and probably loved to act. Maybe he did not have the same zeal as a full blooded young man but one could not deny the excitement he carried within. I somehow ended up quitting my engineering studies and even my corporate life to madly pursue my passion in films. He was proud to see me doing what I liked and has always spurred me on in silence. There has never been an instance when he pointed a finger at the choice I made.  So, I felt it was my turn to make it up to him in my own small way, using my skillset. Initially, I had thought out about a short film about an old man who looks at life positively. There was no script as I felt my old man would be hard to direct given the fact that he hates being dominated or told what to do. I discussed the idea with my first choice cameraman, Chandrakanth, who is more like a younger brother and one of the most innovative individual I know both creatively and technically that I have ever seen. He also shared a good rapport with my dad with the countless visits to my house and so, readily agreed to come on board as the cinematographer.

The idea was simple and complex at the same time to be honest. We decided to start filming random sequences from his real life and then stitch the story around it. Quite radical and challenging but exciting at the same time.  It was sheer coincidence that there was a temple festival or pooram as we call it here in our state, at his birth place. We travelled with him and had a real interesting and fun time getting some visuals. The whole visual train was supposed to go in as a montage in the short film and I was happy to let the wonderful and colorful visuals rest until we had the whole work ready to edit. I share a quite transparent relationship with Chandrakanth and trust his judgement and value his opinions.

It was during this time that yet another junior from college, Simeon, got in touch with us. Life in Dubai probably did not appeal to him and I think he had his calling to return home and pursue his passion in music.  We initially started off with random discussions on music and my love for drumming while in college had connected me instantly with him back then.  Simeon was also a drummer for the college band while he was studying there.  Long story short, we shared a good rapport and a healthy respect for each other.  I personally believe that mutual respect is one of the most essential ingredients for a creative spark in an association. So, the initial idea was to shoot a music video with the college dance troupes of past and present and we hoped to present it as a tribute to our Alma Mater, CET – College of Engineering Trivandrum). Well, we had talks with some of the present students and work was slowly gaining momentum when Simeon came up with a new mix he had created. The song was a popular folk song and his magic had elevated the feel of the song to new dizzying levels. I instantly fell in love with it but the idea for the music video came from the genius mind of Chandrakanth.  He suggested about using the visuals we shot for the pooram, to go with the song.  To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive at first but trusted his judgement blindly and decided to go ahead with it.

Kaantha is the final product of this blind and strong mutual trust and respect between 3 individuals who are as varied as they can be in their characters but who are all connected in their commitment to their passions.  It was consistent and literally back breaking work for Chandrakanth who battled with the rushes for past 3 days as he took on the mantle of editor too and the final product is all set to see the light of the day in a few minutes time. I thank him for his dedication and fierce work ethics which saw a young musicians dream get realized today. I am just happy to offer the visuals for the video and see the smile on my dad’s face when he sees himself on the screen.

At the end of the day, we are all here for a short while and a smile on someone else’s face holds more value on this auspicious day than any material possession. So, this video is a tribute to my dad who has patiently supported me and to Simeon who took the plunge to stay connected with his passion and to Chandrakanth, who supports me unconditionally in everything I do and who is the most committed guy I have seen on a working environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpVpeZG2EsQ

Kannan, the silent livewire

The significance of a human being in a society is never ascertained by his race, color, social status or occupation. Sometimes, these parameters pale in comparison to the sheer impact made with the unassuming presence in a crowd. For some people, the sheer insignificance in a very visible crowd, can become the standout factor. There is one such individual on the set of the movie, "Up and Down : Mukalil Oraalundu".  He is short but certainly not just another face in the crowd. I am talking about Kannan, who works in the production team. If there is one person who is always seen in motion, it is this guy. Kannans actual name is Abhilash and even though he looks like a 15 year old, he is double that age. Hailing from Thiruvallom near Chitranjali studio, he had taken to the production area with movies just like many of his neighbours and friends. It is my privilege to hold a conversation with Kannan and bring to you a few pages from his life.

How did you enter into the movie industry?

It was never a planned path. A lot of people in this area have already been working in production and I guess I just followed in due course of time. It was never a pre planned decision. Now, I have been in this field for 9 years and never really looked back much.

How was your first experience in this industry, when you came in as a fresher?

As I said, it was not a definite choice for me. I had studied till SSLC and one fine day, came into the production team of a movie by accident. One of the production boys in that unit was absent for a day and I filled in for him on the location of an English movie shot exclusively for Cannes film festival. Since then, it has been 28 movies and I have enjoyed my time working in different sets and with different artistes and technicians.

Have you had any interesting experiences with any of the artistes?

Yes, I have had some interesting experiences. But the one I remember most was with our very own lalettan or Mohanlal. It was on the set of the movie HELLO. Lalettan had brought his latest baby, a beautiful Audi, to the set. It was shiny new and the dark tinted glasses gave a perfect reflection. I was never the vehicle and decided to set my hair looking at the reflection on the car window. Even as I started combing my hair by looking at the reflection on the window, I could hear lalettans assistants asking me to move away. I did not realize that he was inside the car, until he rolled down that window and looked at me. I practically ran off. Later, when I went to give him food at his home, he had smiled and pointed me to the mirror at his place suggesting me to use it next time. I am a big fan of him and cherish this experience I have had with him.

How has it been in the set of "Up and Down Mukalil Oraalundu"?

It has been a great experience. I have met some interesting people like in any set I have worked in. The artistes and technicians have generally been very friendly. It is true that work gets hectic sometimes, especially when the shoot extends into the night. But, then it is part of the bargain and I try to enjoy it.

What is your aim for the future?

I wanna be a production chief one day and make my name in the entertainment. It might be an insignificant job for most people without the glamour but still I am happy doing it.

Net worth of a Network

Any sort of relationship forms the solid platform for an individual's personal as well as social evolution. Seldom has relationships been measured or friendships acknowledged in all senses than through the mass movement that is currently sweeping our country. Yes, Social networking has changed the way we communicate and revolutionized the way we relate to people. Orkut, Facebook, Ibibo, Twitter, Linkedin....the names are numerous and the rate of evolution is growing faster with each passing day. It is indeed an era of the internet revolution and social networking has become the brand icon for this revolution with its evident visibility.

Back in the days, a friendship always started with a "Hi" or "Hello", a gentle smile on the face and a hand shake with assurance. At certain junctures, a hug is an added element in the process. This was followed by regular meetings, hanging out at various cool spots catering to the tastes of the individuals and gradually accommodating each other. All this involved a clear involvement of our physical senses. Social networking changed the equation quite a bit. The physical senses were not important anymore nor was the individual behind a name. Handshakes were replaced by the finger shakes on the keyboard with rapid tapping matched probably by a tap dancer on the stage. The smile which took actual exertion of the muscles was now easy and effortless in two symbols on the keyboard ":" and ")". The self introductions which lay the platform for the friendship has now shrunk to three letters "asl". The age, sex and location of the person matters more than anything. It always puzzled me because neither of the three factors hold any value as we dont have any definite idea about the physical existence of the person. Well, I guess the cyber world sometimes bridges the gap between the "real" and "virtual" and helps us live out our fantasies. It is an easy wall to hide behind and still plot your story according to your wish. The perfect way to feel good about yourself. Yes, for me,socialnetworking has always been the perfect platform for an alter ego to satisfy your real ego.

Relationships in the social networks are more or less like bubbles floating around in the sky. The light shimmers through them creating a range of colors around them but all it takes it a simple poke to burst. I always wondered how people find it difficult to trust anybody in real life but find it easier to do it over a social network. Information about themselves, irrespective of whether it is fake or real, is shared and numerous sessions of chat without significance to any particular relevant topic happens over a period of time. One of the most interesting observations that I had while accessing these social networking sites is that, a person might not even think about somebody throughout the year, but when the notification of the birthday comes in, he is quick to wish the person with a lot of love and prayers and in a short span of time, the birthday boy/girl's wall (as in facebook) or any similar medium is filled with messages and greetings. A day to celebrate my existence on this planet turns out to a day where I am showered with an exaggerated display of love and affection and a spontaneous interest in my presence all over again, after almost a year. So much for the strength of a relationship bonded by a social network.

To sum it up, reality takes a back seat and individuality is hidden inside the chest of drawers as you log into one of these networks. The password typed in forms the key to a rather superficial existence in an extremely make believe environment. When a status message put by you saying "I am feeling lonely and sad" is virtually "liked" by a couple of your online friends and then some of them follow it up with concerned enquiries as to what happened, you start questioning the credibility behind the person. I wish for a day when people log out of these social networking sites and get out into the open to meet each other, look each other in the eye and share each other's heart. Even whilesocialnetworking is indeed a good step to save time and energy, I still believe our planet requires something which is much more important - actual human interaction. The world lacks emotions now and it is time to stop emoting through emoticons :)

Be a part of my world....

On the first glance, the title does sound like an invitation for a probable life partner. But, my world is not about love or about marriage alone. My world is something more visual and seen through my eyes. So, this invitation is for you to be part of that visual journey in my life.

Photography has always been a liberating experience for my mind and I see it as a means of letting others see the world through my eyes. I keep saying that photographers are the fortunate lot because we are capable of donating our eyes while we are still alive. The photographer lets others see the world through his eyes. It is time for me to do so and also invite a few of the younger crop to be a part of the mission too.

I am holding my second photography exhibition from May 16 - 19 at Museum Hall, Trivandrum. My first exhibition conducted as a project for the Trivandrum Zoo and featuring photographs of zoo animals was a success. It was featured in the leading newspapers and also covered by the channels.

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/10/15/stories/2009101550940100.htm

This time around, I am aiming at doing the exhibition for presenting my portfolio and using one of the exhibition days as a launching platform for young aspiring photographers to feature their best work along with my exhibition. It is an open invitation and the photographer will get the chance to interact with the crowd and the media.

The criteria is quite simple. You can send me two of your best photographs along with your name, age, your occupation and the story behind the photographs. I personally believe that no photograph is a blank note and that each click carries a story with it. So, briefly explain your story for the two photographs and mail it to me at arun.kunjunny@gmail.com. Chosen 40 or 50 photographs depending on the space availability will be featured for a full day along with my photographs. So, a group of 20 - 25 photographers get a free platform to exhibit their work and interact with the crowd. Do send in your low resolution pics latest by 11th of May and I will let you know the selected photographs by 13th May.

Lets celebrate the art of photography and join hands in this visual expedition.