Ravinder - Leading Art Director In Telugu Cinema

Ravi, as he is known looks so much like a regular bloke, in the way he is, the way he dresses and behaves. And when you speak to him you realise he is pretty much like that. He is passionate about what he does but that does not define him entirely. Tall, slim and with eyes that are always smiling Ravi came to 'Golconda High School' as the Art Director straight from the highs of Magadheera, just as Senthil had.

Ravi, as you would normally find him

I met Ravi briefly in the initial days of the cricket shoot. He was always polite and easy to talk to. Someone who laughs easily. One day we got to spend sometime together and that is when I realised he also shared his life easily. Ravi told me his entire journey in about an hour. How he grew up in a well to do family in Nellore. How he got into a situation where he needed to earn money rather early in life and joined the Nippo battery company in a menial job. How he used his creativity and hardwork to excel and receive the best worker award in his category. He always seems to have had this passion for excellence. How he moved from Nellore to Hyderabad and joined the JNTU School of Fine Arts. How he was so self sufficient that he never asked hs parents for money to fund his studies. How he and his friend actually delivered milk to make some money. He even recounted a time when he and his friend took a job of painting a farm fence in the outskirts of Hyderabad. And then how he got admission at IIT, Delhi to learn design but did not take it up. And how from there he joined some companies and started doing good commercial work which earned him much money.

From designing brochures and stuff like that to joining Ganga Raju Gunnam's 'Just Yellow'. How he excelled in the design work there - specially since 'Just Yellow' had more creative avenues than other places. How he was the only one who was paid during the making of 'Aithe'. And how he grew from strength to strength after that based on his work. Ravi gets especially passionate when he describes his masterpiece - the creation of helicopter for the last scene in Magadheera. You can see the pride in his eyes when he speaks of it.

The sets for Golconda High School were done in the style he adopts - an elaborate scoreboard which has its own distinct character in the movie, an arch that leads into the school, the huge school bell, the logo and stuff like that. He thinks quickly on his feet and has the uncanny ability to size people and resources up. For example when he needed a table tennis table for the dressing room shot he checked his resources and then looked at me and asked me out of the blue if I knew of someone who could lend one. Why he chose me of all the people i don't know but I knew two people - one Koni who had a table at his Shamshabad farmhouse and Kiran who had one at his home. Kiran was away at the US and Koni agreed. Only one needed to transport it carefully to and fro and the job was done. I was impressed with Ravi for his quick sizing up of the situation and getting things done.

Ravi belongs to the elite band of technicians who worked on this movie. He joins Mohana Krishna Indraganti, the director, Senthil the cinematographer, Kalyani Malik, the music director. Of the four, save Mohan Krishna, the other three made their debut with 'Aithe' a small landmark film. And now they are all on their way to success and fame and bigger things. I asked him if he ever wanted to direct and he said 'No'. He is happier in this area of design. Good luck Ravi in your future endeavours. It is really nice to see this young, committed, band of men who are passionate about their work and also bring certain values that will do any industry proud.

Article in the Indian Express - January 9, 2011

The following article appeared in my Sunday column 'Un Intended' in the New Indian Express.

WAR OVER MY COLONY'S 2011 RESOLUTION

Harimohan Paruvu

An important looking paper landed on my doorstep the other day. It was one of the many that my colony welfare association sends on a regular basis. Sometimes these papers talk about functions and donations, but mostly they talk of some resolutions - some extraordinary, some really extraordinary, and sometimes even really really extraordinary resolutions. One needs to have a special kind of a mindset to understand resolutions, which I don’t, so I keep away from them. But since it was New Year and I had no resolutions of my own I decided to see if they were passing any resolutions that I could also endorse. 

A motley group of 30 had already assembled in a tent, resolve written large on their face. The president put forward a proposal to construct a structure covering the tiny 800 sq. yard plot that passes off as the colony ground, so people are not inconvenienced during functions. That got me wondering. Why cover this little ground as if it was some government secret when the colony kids have no space to play anyway and were playing cricket innovatively and dangerously on the busy roads. The ground must be for kids to play I resolved. Not for noisy and messy functions for people who can go elsewhere anyway. But being new to this resolution business, I watched.

The proposal got everyone suitably worked up. Some of the people started shouting noisily, some in favour and some against. Some others wanted to shout but could not, and shook violently as if possessed by some fever. Some got up and sat down. Some ran up and down the aisle meaninglessly. Some tried to enforce discipline on some people they fancied.

Then one of the members got up, walked to the dais, and said he would like the ground to remain uncovered because it is the only breathing space the colony has. We all clapped. He wound up with the sad observation that since ‘people’ know how to subvert laws, bye laws and stuff and pass resolutions by themselves, no good would ever happen in our colony anyway. He left sadly on that bleak note. Another gentleman also stood up for not covering up the ground. The general mood, it seemed, was for leaving the ground alone.

Then the older and wiser gentlemen got up. They said that a high roof, 25-30 feet high with few or no columns to support it, could cover the ground, so children could play as well and there would be cover. How they proposed to construct such a miraculous roof was beyond anyone but soon everyone was resolving how a ‘good’ architect must be consulted, how a stadium like facility could be built, how the best structure should be made. Someone wanted to know if this was a playground or a function ground. 

Meanwhile one member started an unrelated issue about the Association’s dealings which the President did not like. The President wagged his finger at the errant member and asked him to shut his mouth. The offended errant member wagged more fingers and yelled back. We all joined in and yelled at everyone to shut up. Nothing was resolved in those two hours. The only progress made was that a couple of members appeared to have had minor cardiac attacks. The association people asked us to eat lunch. Someone told me this is what happens all the time because they never get a quorum to pass any resolutions. Something like what happens in the Parliament. I resolved not to go back there. If I do, I resolved to go with some sharp weapons.

Golconda High School - Kalyani Malik, the essence of modesty

When I first heard the music of 'Ashta Chamma' I was so impressed that I bought several CDs and gifted them to many friends of mine. I loved the music and it went on to become a big hit for its melodious compositions and fresh sound. It also brought to the forefront the maker of the music, the diffident, modest and highly talented Kalyani Malik. The lesser known brother of Keeravani a.k.a. M.M. Kreem, Kalyani Malik wore his success lightly on his sleeve and remained absolutely modest amidst all the critical acclaim that he got after the movie's release. One thing about his interviews - he always thanks everyone concerned without fail.

Senthil, Kalyani Malik and Mohana Krishna Indraganti at the All Saints High School shoot

Later I came to know that he composed that wonderful song in 'Aithe', one of my all time favourite movies in Telugu, the only song in that movie and again a song that impressed me so much for its simplicity and effectiveness, melody and rhythm. It was picturised so beautifully as well and I remember how well it was choreographed - the Alladdin and the genie and the boys and girl. A deeply embedded memory and kudos to all those involved in its making - Senthil, Ganga Raju and others for sure.

When Kalyani was roped in to make the music for 'Golconda High School', to me it is as much in recognition of his technical capabilities as of the kind of values he has, the kind of a person he is. This team is all about that - doing good hard work, being the best in the business and making a difference through good work. And he composed the music for Golconda High School brilliantly. I heard 'Jaagore' a long time ago but each of the other songs were as good. For my entire journey of over 10 hours from Pune to Hyderabad last week, I heard this CD over and over again and not one song did I have to skip.Anjali is also now hooked on to 'Jaago re' and sings that along.

So when Kalyani spoke of his life yesterday at Microsoft it was a revelation. He started by saying that it was the first time he was addressing an audience like this, such a well read elite audience. He candidly confessed that he did not study further than his seventh class. Studying that far in his native village of Rajamundry and Kovvur, he was not confident of speaking in English he said, but he spoke extremely well in the parts he spoke in English, a tribute to his convent school in Kovvur. He got a mite emotional when he recounted the struggles he had faced in his career, how difficult the path had been but he recovered quickly enough. He said that when he sees audiences like this, a campus like this, he wishes that he too had studied and got himself a good job like this.

'I would like to exchange my job with yours right now sir,' said one young Microsoft professional spontaneously when Kalyani said that. Another wanted him to sing a song and the request was for the 'Aithe' song which Kalyani sang very well. Kalyani said he does not know any Hindi but he was a huge Kishore Kumar fan. He recounted how when he had a grih pravesh function when he had bought a flat in Madhapur he walked in with the image of Kishore Kumar and not that of any God. In fact he still has a large image of Kishore on his wall. And despite being bad at Hindi he got so inspired by Kishore that he wanted to become a playback singer in Hindi he said, and wanted to go to Bombay to try his luck. To give you an idea of how bad his Hindi was, he composed the music of 'Jaago re' - added the word 'Jaago' because he felt that the word fit and then, after it was all done asked Mohana Krishna the director what the word 'Jaago' meant. That was how bad his Hindi was and still is.

At the office I overheard Kalyani, the music director of the film, gently asking Prasad the Executive Producer, if he could get a couple of CDs because he wanted to send them to his brother. That is how he is. Simple and unassuming. No wonder his music is like that as well. Simple and melodious. At the audio launch of the film, Senthil, the accomplished cinematographer, remarked that he always believed that Kalyani is a very talented music director and he was sure that Golconda High School would propel him to the next level. Kalyani told me quietly - 'My brother really loves my work. He thinks that if anyone is a competitor to him it is me.' I wish you all the best Kalyani in your future forays and I know that you will make a lot more wonderful music in days to come. Looking forward to all that is in store in future from you.

Golconda High School - Interaction WIth Microsoft Professionals

Nagender Vedula, General Manager, Microsoft IT, invited the crew of Golconda High School to interact with his team at the swanky Microsoft campus at Gachibowli. Nagender we know, from our college days, when he was Ram's senior at JNTU, Kukatpally, where he served as President in his final year. After that we lost touch until we heard that he had gone away to the US on work and it was only a few years ago that I met him  quite by chance at the KBR where he had come for a walk. And then when they were planning to make Golconda High School I heard that Nagender had auditioned for a role of a parent and was acting in the movie.

The role that Nagender had auditioned for was a tough one because it is that of a tyrannical Dad who believes that children should only study and not waste their time playing games. His character represents all that the Principal and Sampath fight against. In the book, the part where Vikas forgives his father is one of the most moving parts for me - always brings a lump to my throat - a sentiment shared with Keerti Ramachandra, my editor. I was quite surprised to hear that Nagender had auditioned for the role because I did not know he had any interest in acting and specially since he had a busy job. But act he did, and was kind enough to invite us to the campus to share some time with his team.

Sumanth, Mohana Krishna Indraganti, Kalyani Malik and I went to the impressive looking Gachibowli office which has a staff strength of 3500 software pros. We had some coffee and then headed straight into a big auditorium where about 300 people were waiting for us. Nagender held the show together, had fun, and played along to the gallery. There was a huge poster of Golconda High School with him towering over all else, Sumanth and Swathi which was in good humour and we all had a laugh. He introduced us, played some trailers of the movie and was even sporting enough to show the audition tape he had made to his team mates. I spoke about the book, Kalyani spoke about music and his journey and sang a wonderful rendition of the 'Aithe' song, Mohan spoke about the making of the movie and Sumanth about his role and the state of the Telugu industry. Everyone in the audience got a copy of the audio CD, the songs of which were being continuously played in the background. I met Ravi, the tall ONGC basketball player and a friend of Sunil Jyothi, and Pradeep, a young cricketer who had played for MCC when he was at Osmania for half a season. I could not meet Amit Sircar my old friend, who heads another division at Microsoft.

We wound up at lunch, chatted with some of the participants, and headed off for a lovely lunch at Boulder Hills Golf Course which is opposite the Microsoft campus. Here we were joined by Nagesh (another JNTUian), Vasudha and Hari, Nagender's teammates and split after lunch. A very enjoyable morning in all!

An Aspiring Writer - A Self-Help Book for Engineering Students

A couple of weeks ago I had the good fortune of meeting Taufeeq, a young twenty something writer who wrote down a lovely little book that integrates his personal experience, love and how to prepare for campus placements and interviews. Intriguing isn't it but the lad wrote it so well that despite the formulae, the sample questions and all that, the book is hard to put down. Written in an easy, engaging style, it contains a  wealth of wisdom for the engineering graduate on how to prepare for his campus placements, and interviews and addresses exactly the same problems everyone faces.

Taufeeq has tremendous clarity and this reflects in the book. He writes well, convincingly, engagingly and pulls off what I would have thought very difficult proposition - a self help book for engineering graduates across India with a smattering of love and life on campus. And it is all so convincing and not like any of the grandiose literary takes by several other authors. This lad from a little village in Kurnool district and Mahbubnagar will go far in my opinion in whatever he does. The book is a must read for almost every single engineering student. I do hope the lad gets the right kind of a publisher or a distribution system to reach his market which will surely lap it up.

The World of Nagaraj - R. K. Narayan, Book Review

I picked up 'The World of Nagaraj' by R.K. Narayan to read, over a month ago. Unfortunately this particular book, though set in Malgudi's familiar landscape, fails to capture the magic of this delightful village. I found it difficult to read, laboured through it, though I knew it was going nowhere, and finally ended it with a great sigh of relief. I checked the date of publication after I turned the last page and it mentioned 1990, which makes it one of his later works. Maybe, it was an idea that did not go the way RKN wanted it to, maybe he just grew tired of the idea, but from the beginning 'The World of Nagaraj' never takes off.

Nagaraj is one of the many inhabitants of Malgudi, a resident of Kabir Street. He is someone who has achieved little in life and is prone to day dreaming and having long and continuous conversations in his head. He lives in his ancestral house that has been left to him as his share of the property by his elder brother Gopu who always bullies Nagaraj around. Nagaraj's main pastime is to inhabit the pyol of the house where he spends many hours. How Nagaraj makes his living is not explained anywhere. He helps his friend Coomar of the Boeing Saree Centre for no remuneration, goes to the Boardless for coffee and tiffin and prays with ochre robes to meditate. His wife Sita patiently bears with him and his idiosyncracies.

The two things that Nagaraj does in the book apart from ruminating on each and every person and conversation, are trying to write a book on Narada and putting up his brother's son Krishnaji (fondly called by everyone as Tim). The book on Narada goes nowhere as he meets several people who claim to know about Narada - the frustrated Sanskrit priest, the bookseller Bari and so on. The nephew leaves his tyrannical father Gopu early in his life and lands up at Nagaraj's house while still young, lives a wayward life, marries a girl who plays the harmonium and settles down in his uncle's house, wife and all. The girl's harmonium pratice meddles with Nagraj's writing forays and that causes the slightest tension in the book. The most interesting part of the book to me was when the boy's behaviour starts causing tension at home and Sita and Nagraj ponder on how to handle him. Lesson: Nothing moves the story forward like conflict! Slowly the book peters off to a lame end.

It was a slow read for me. The language is impeccable, the usage, the turn of phrase, everything is perfect as one would expect from a master like RKN but it lacks soul. It appears to me to be a book written for an audience that is already enamoured with Malgudi, so why not create another character. I have seen several Indian authors, well known authors, fall prey to this syndrome of writing for an 'audience', maybe exhorted by their publishers. But you can almost always tell.

As an inhabitant of Malgudi Nagaraj is perfect but he does too little and anything of consequence or interest to the reader, has only enough material on him to probably last two pages in any of RKN's other books, but we go through his monologues for almost 180 pages. Once in a while I think even the great masters fall prey to the thought of exploring a possibility on an already established idea - but if it is not inspired, well-etched and clear in his mind, it falls flat as the 'World of Nagaraj' does. I could not help thinking that RKN also tried to create a world around Malgudi with several characters as Wodehouse did in his books which have familiar landscapes. The humour also seemed rather affected. All in all, this goes to the bottom of RKN's pile so far. I have his other well known classics - The Bachelor of Arts, Guide etc - still on the 'reading shelf' and look forward to reading those.

Lyrics of Golconda High School - Sheer Poetry

It has been a while since I have heard lyrics which are like poetry. I loved Billy Joel’s songs or several of the old Hindi or Telugu songs because they say so much, so beautifully and are composed amazingly well. There is a purpose to the whole song and that is what elevates them to another level.

When I first heard the GHS songs I loved the way they sounded. As I heard the songs a few more times I heard the one odd phrase that made sense to me and I burst out with – 'Ah, that exemplifies the spirit of ‘The Men Within’. In fact the songs ‘Jaagore’ and ‘Adugesthey’ totally explain what the book is about. From these songs I can explain the spirit of the book – for days on end - so well are they written and so well have they captured the essence of wanting to take on something big, for a bigger cause than oneself.

Most times with experts, it depends on how well the brief is given. After that they can easily handle delivery and elevate the thought further. Much credit to director Mohana Krishna Indraganti for giving the brief of the songs well, so well that a highly talented poet and lyricist like Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry made some wonderfully poetic and inspiring lyrics for the songs. And the song ‘Yenativo’ written by another heavyweight writer and lyricist Ingraganti Srikanth Sarma garu, Mohana Krishna's accomplished father, are so full of delectable lines and beautifully chosen words.

I called Sagar this morning in all excitement and told him that I would like to translate the songs into English to put up on the blog. Sagar agreed and he came home and we tried our hand at two songs which I will post here. This is an amateurish attempt at getting at the essence of these songs which are far bigger and richer in meaning and composition. So please bear with me while I try for the first time to translate Telugu poetry to English (with Sagar's help of course).

Jaago re (Wake up)
- Original Lyrics in Telugu by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

 

Let’s look with fresh eyes at how a seed begins its journey

The first lessons in holding one’s head high

Now we’ve grown so tall that we can reach the clouds with our fingertips

There’s no more reason for us to lie in the mud, like infants

Let’s light a resplendent dream in our sleepy eyes

And, let us show the Sun the right path, our path

Jaago, jaago re, jaago, jaago, jaago re, jaago

Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up

The raindrop does not hold itself back fearing for its safety as it leaps to the ground from the skies

And so it grows, drop to river, river to the flood, flood to a limitless ocean

Never doubt if you want to achieve, act before your thought even, the first step to success

 No task is impossible, and that is no secret

There will be challenges at every step, questions will be asked of you

This journey is not one that will end even before it starts

And victory is but but another name of being fully prepared for war

Jaago, jaago re, jaago, jaago, jaago re, jaago

Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up

Adugesthey (Taking a step)

- Original Lyrics in Telugu by Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

So close, just a step away

Is that galaxy of stars

Check out its luminescent glitter

Imagine it landing by your side

Imagine it lighting up your eyes

Maybe it is something that you might have passed by yesterday

Maybe it is something that you will discover tomorrow

Chase it, now, and find out

The heaviest burdens seem like nothing, if your mind is free from doubt

And in the biggest storms and whirlpools, your boat appears to dance, if you hold your nerve

Break on through joyfully, know that nothing can stop you

Don’t stop till the end, and meet tomorrow’s dream, right now

When you work relentlessly, brimming with enthusiasm

The most pleasurable thing is that deep fatigue

If you fight this war as you play a game

The wounds you carry are but commonplace stuff

Go seek your destination, it will not come to you

There’s a turn in every step, a dream in every moment

And there’s a call of victory everywhere, know that

Ah, wonderful stuff! Salutations Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry garu and Ingraganti Srikant Sarma garu. And Mohan of course, for flirting with such depth at such a young age. And the singers, Hemachandra, Anuradha Palakurthi, Sri Krishna and Gita Madhuri for singing these songs so well.  Now for the other songs.