I searched all over the net for some write-up on “Nizhalukal”. Unfortunately they are removed by now. That’s the problem with working in television-moment of fame short-lived and erased without leaving any history behind.
Nizhalukal was my first screenplay, which came on air in early 2000.I started working on it almost a year back. I had completed my engineering by then and just landed on a software job. It happened just at the right time for me. Six months earlier or later maybe I would have to quit either my job or writing.
It was Asianet’s idea to create the first horror serial in Malayalam. And it was my good fortunes that landed me in this project. I was accommodated to a deserted state municipal guesthouse in Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum with the task of making the right story and screenplay for the same. The 2 months I spend writing Nizhalukal was an unforgettable and sort of a “horrifying” experience itself.
The Days were spent at my office. I was undergoing my training then. I have to say it had an impact on my software training also. While sitting through those sessions my mind was filled with my characters in Nizhalukal than the software processes and procedures.
Evenings were for discussions and nights for writing.
Those 2 months should be the most dreaded nights I had. The directors and actors who came for discussions used to tell me about their extra terrestrial experiences for “inspiring” me. In the nights I was left all alone in the 5th floor of a deserted building to write a horror script. That small light that came through that keyhole.. The sound of a newspaper lying on the floor..A spooky looking guesthouse manager… all added to the drama. I think what worked for me during those days was the kind of variety I had in my life with software and screenplay. That was perfect balance.
The story of “Nizhalukal” was inspired from a cover story India today did during my engineering days. It was about a six-year-old Gujarati kid speaking in the voice of a 60-year-old grand mother and reciting Bhagvat gita etc. The characters were placed in the kerala milieu and some drama added. I loved creating every character of it. Lakshmi, Muthassi, Prof.Karumadom..One thing I was very particular was that it should not have the “yakshi” moving around in a white sari singing songs. It should be set in an environment which was real and which we have witnessed in our lives.
I was completely confident of the project by the time I finished writing Nizhalukal.The excitement of creating something different remained all through the shooting.
Nizhalukal came on air by the time I had finished my training and started working. I was staying with my friends in Kochi then. We did not have a TV at our place to watch the first episode. We went to a friends place to watch it all together. The sweetest experience was to see my name appear for the first time on screen.
Nizhalukal went on to become one of the biggest hits of its times. It topped the charts all through the 2 years it was on air. It won many awards including the film critics. And eventually slowly forgotten as it went off air.
It would not be fair to say that had Nizhalukal not happened then I would not have written more screenplays. I would have still tried to make something else. But today looking back I am very happy that “Nizhalukal” happened. It gives me even more happiness when I meet people in my day-to-day life who still remembers Lakshmi and Prof.Karumadom.
Atleast some “shadows” of Nizhalukal are left over somewhere maybe..
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
American Dreams
As all good things it started off as a dream.A television soap based on the lives of American Malayalees exclusively shot in USA.We lived with that dream for a couple of years before we eventually made it.
The richest asset I gained from the entire shooting experience was getting to know some very interesting people.It helped me redefine the entire concept of an American Malayali.Today I have friends of my age living there who knows India,our history and our culture much better than I do.
"American Dreams" will always remain a special project to me despite all the trouble we faced making it.It also helped me reconfirm my belief that all deeds done with noble intentions will be rewarded sooner or later.The show when eventually came on air was widely appreciated.It won four major state awards that year including the best serial.
And the sweetest personal memory was that it brought me my first kerala state award for best screenplay.
Read all about it here.
http://www.ushasentertainment.com/americanDreams.asp
The richest asset I gained from the entire shooting experience was getting to know some very interesting people.It helped me redefine the entire concept of an American Malayali.Today I have friends of my age living there who knows India,our history and our culture much better than I do.
"American Dreams" will always remain a special project to me despite all the trouble we faced making it.It also helped me reconfirm my belief that all deeds done with noble intentions will be rewarded sooner or later.The show when eventually came on air was widely appreciated.It won four major state awards that year including the best serial.
And the sweetest personal memory was that it brought me my first kerala state award for best screenplay.
Read all about it here.
http://www.ushasentertainment.com/americanDreams.asp
My latest script for a corporate film
Start Titles
Scene 1
We see front view of NeST employees standing in an open space.We move upwards and see that they are standing in the shape of the year 1991.As we move upwards we hear the narration
Narration
“In 1991 Kerala Witnessed a Dream waking up to life”
Cut to
Shots of NeST launch, Old Paper reports of the same etc.
Scene 2
Now we see a very large number of NeST employees standing in the same ground in an ariel view.The ground is packed except for the space where we can clearly see the year 2006.As we come downwards to their front view we hear the narration
Narration
“15 Years saw the dream turning into Reality and outgrowing itself.”
Cut to
An international NeST client speaking of NeST. (Preferably a Japanese Client)One or Two attention grabbing sentences. The Name and Designation of the client also displayed.
Scene 3
We very quickly move through the present NeST facilities. product development, manufacturing services etc.As we move through them we hear the narration
Narration
“Changing the Face of Industrial Kerala into an Abode of Truth, Transparancy and Teamwork”
Cut to
An international NeST client speaking of NeST. (Preferably a US Client)One or Two attention grabbing sentences. The Name and Designation of the client also displayed
Scene 4
The animated NeST logo comes into the screen .Along with that we hear the narration.
Narration
“NeST Group”
Scene 5
The shot reopens into some older video footage of any of the NeST offices. We move through the infra structure, employees working, Cafeteria etc.Along with these shots we hear the narration in the same voice.
Narration
“NeST Group had a humble beginning in the hardware export sector. Its first unit was setup in Alwaye, the home town of the founders of the NeST group the now famous brothers Mr.Javed Hassan and Mr.N.Jehangir.Starting its operations with a mere 15 employees in the turbulent Kerala industrial scenario, the initial days of the group was not easy”
Scene 6
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking of the initial days of NeST.2 or 3 sentences on those days, challenges etc.
Scene 7
We move through some of the important NeST Group milestones over the years. This can the Paper news, Video footage, Photographs of awards given to NeST etc. Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“Challenges indeed were many. But a team of dedicated employees and motivated leadership ensured that the Management vision was kept alive. The vision was to prove that a true multinational technological group can operate successfully from Kerala.The vision was international.”
Scene 8
We move to a shot of MD Mr. N Jehangir speaking of the initial days of NeST.2 or 3 sentences on the vision, principles, current turnover etc of NeST group.
Scene 9
We move through the present day NeST factories, Employees, Offices,Ambience etc.(Including Golden Valley,Chikkus) .We move through the NeST facilities in the order of product development, manufacturing services(digital/rf(SFO,Crysind)/fiber opt(J2O)/wire harness(Sun Generic)/power supply(NeSTPower)/sheet metal-plastic),Software services (TVM+Cochin+Cyber),
Systems Integration services (networking, security, Call center).
Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“The figures talked for itself and the coming years saw NeST group grow from strength to strength. From hardware NeST group diversified into Software, Educational Institutions, Networking & System Integration, Condiments, etc. Product Development, Manufacturing services, Software services, Systems Integration services,You name it NeST has a solution”(The titles Product Development,Manufacturing services etc can be superimposed along with the shots and narration)
Scene 10
We move through a shot of a globe projecting the Global NeST group offices. From there we move on to the thousands of NeST employees, corporate office, Nest work culture etc. Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“Today NeST group sees itself as the premier technological business group in Kerala and amongst the finest groups in India and across the globe.NeST group operates its own offices from USA, UK, Australia, Japan, UAE apart from being a leading hardware and software exporter all over the world. Nest has stabilized itself into a 500 million group employing over 3000 professionals today. The journey has indeed been a rewarding and humbling one.”
Scene 11
We move to a shot of MD Mr. N Jehangir speaking of the NeST Success story
Scene 12
We move to the shots of employees working,Walking out of office,coming to office in cars,bikes,Shot of first employee and some other employees. Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“NeST Group owes its success hugely to its tem of faithful professionals.A pool of satisfied employees working towards a common goal has always been the pillar of NeST groups strength.With the smallest Employee attrition rate over the years NeST group believes in the power of togetherness and belonging.”
Scene 13
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking on NeST Clients
Scene 14
We move through some shots of common man across the globe making use of NeST Technology in their day today life. Shots of a common man making a cell phone call, and another person using PC for a video chat. Shots of power plant, refinery. Shots of a car, plane and train.We can show some of the NeST products also Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“The impact of the success of NeST group can be seen in the day today lives of people all over the world today.With its advanced technology and products NeST group has transformed the life of common man in health care,communication,industrial and automotive sectors. It has made world indeed a small place to live connecting people and technology globally. It has made the life easier, faster and sophisticated for the common man across the globe”
Scene 15
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking of the changing face of Kerala, Motivation from government and bureaucracy etc in 2 or 3 sentences.
Scene 16
A shot of a window opening into a beautiful scenery in Kerala.We move through some shots of Kathakali, Vallamkali, Kalaripayattu etc very sharply. Along with these shots we hear the narration. Shots of a technologically progressed kerala. A shot of a patient undergoing CT scanner or MRI test. Shots of a common man making a cell phone call, and another person using PC for a video chat. Shots of power plant, refinery. Shots of a car, plane and train.
Narration
“The global success of NeST group also saw Kerala transforming over the years.Yes, Kerala has finally opened its arms as a place for fruitful investment. Nest group’s astounding success story has proved that beyond any doubt today. It has proved if the abundant natural resources and skilled manpower are used to its advantage, Kerala can be an investors paradise. We see positive growth across all spheres of life today changing the face of the Gods Own Country. For NeST, it was only giving back to its motherland, where NeST will always belong.”
Scene 17
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking of the future growth plans of NeST in 2 or 3 sentences.
Scene 18
We see the NeST employees standing in the shape of NeST logo.As we come down we can see smiling faces.
Narration
“A dream can never end. It can only flow.
For NeST future is about believing in themselves.
It’s about cultivating people and growing hearts.
It’s about never stopping.”
Scene 19
We see employees in bulk coming out from the NeST units.Smiling faces.
Narration
“And they will continue walking…”
The screen fades.
Scene 20
We move to the people standing as a logo and signaling “V” towards the camera from an arial view.
Narration
“NeST Group –The Next Generation Group”
End titles.
Scene 1
We see front view of NeST employees standing in an open space.We move upwards and see that they are standing in the shape of the year 1991.As we move upwards we hear the narration
Narration
“In 1991 Kerala Witnessed a Dream waking up to life”
Cut to
Shots of NeST launch, Old Paper reports of the same etc.
Scene 2
Now we see a very large number of NeST employees standing in the same ground in an ariel view.The ground is packed except for the space where we can clearly see the year 2006.As we come downwards to their front view we hear the narration
Narration
“15 Years saw the dream turning into Reality and outgrowing itself.”
Cut to
An international NeST client speaking of NeST. (Preferably a Japanese Client)One or Two attention grabbing sentences. The Name and Designation of the client also displayed.
Scene 3
We very quickly move through the present NeST facilities. product development, manufacturing services etc.As we move through them we hear the narration
Narration
“Changing the Face of Industrial Kerala into an Abode of Truth, Transparancy and Teamwork”
Cut to
An international NeST client speaking of NeST. (Preferably a US Client)One or Two attention grabbing sentences. The Name and Designation of the client also displayed
Scene 4
The animated NeST logo comes into the screen .Along with that we hear the narration.
Narration
“NeST Group”
Scene 5
The shot reopens into some older video footage of any of the NeST offices. We move through the infra structure, employees working, Cafeteria etc.Along with these shots we hear the narration in the same voice.
Narration
“NeST Group had a humble beginning in the hardware export sector. Its first unit was setup in Alwaye, the home town of the founders of the NeST group the now famous brothers Mr.Javed Hassan and Mr.N.Jehangir.Starting its operations with a mere 15 employees in the turbulent Kerala industrial scenario, the initial days of the group was not easy”
Scene 6
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking of the initial days of NeST.2 or 3 sentences on those days, challenges etc.
Scene 7
We move through some of the important NeST Group milestones over the years. This can the Paper news, Video footage, Photographs of awards given to NeST etc. Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“Challenges indeed were many. But a team of dedicated employees and motivated leadership ensured that the Management vision was kept alive. The vision was to prove that a true multinational technological group can operate successfully from Kerala.The vision was international.”
Scene 8
We move to a shot of MD Mr. N Jehangir speaking of the initial days of NeST.2 or 3 sentences on the vision, principles, current turnover etc of NeST group.
Scene 9
We move through the present day NeST factories, Employees, Offices,Ambience etc.(Including Golden Valley,Chikkus) .We move through the NeST facilities in the order of product development, manufacturing services(digital/rf(SFO,Crysind)/fiber opt(J2O)/wire harness(Sun Generic)/power supply(NeSTPower)/sheet metal-plastic),Software services (TVM+Cochin+Cyber),
Systems Integration services (networking, security, Call center).
Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“The figures talked for itself and the coming years saw NeST group grow from strength to strength. From hardware NeST group diversified into Software, Educational Institutions, Networking & System Integration, Condiments, etc. Product Development, Manufacturing services, Software services, Systems Integration services,You name it NeST has a solution”(The titles Product Development,Manufacturing services etc can be superimposed along with the shots and narration)
Scene 10
We move through a shot of a globe projecting the Global NeST group offices. From there we move on to the thousands of NeST employees, corporate office, Nest work culture etc. Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“Today NeST group sees itself as the premier technological business group in Kerala and amongst the finest groups in India and across the globe.NeST group operates its own offices from USA, UK, Australia, Japan, UAE apart from being a leading hardware and software exporter all over the world. Nest has stabilized itself into a 500 million group employing over 3000 professionals today. The journey has indeed been a rewarding and humbling one.”
Scene 11
We move to a shot of MD Mr. N Jehangir speaking of the NeST Success story
Scene 12
We move to the shots of employees working,Walking out of office,coming to office in cars,bikes,Shot of first employee and some other employees. Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“NeST Group owes its success hugely to its tem of faithful professionals.A pool of satisfied employees working towards a common goal has always been the pillar of NeST groups strength.With the smallest Employee attrition rate over the years NeST group believes in the power of togetherness and belonging.”
Scene 13
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking on NeST Clients
Scene 14
We move through some shots of common man across the globe making use of NeST Technology in their day today life. Shots of a common man making a cell phone call, and another person using PC for a video chat. Shots of power plant, refinery. Shots of a car, plane and train.We can show some of the NeST products also Along with these shots we hear the narration
Narration
“The impact of the success of NeST group can be seen in the day today lives of people all over the world today.With its advanced technology and products NeST group has transformed the life of common man in health care,communication,industrial and automotive sectors. It has made world indeed a small place to live connecting people and technology globally. It has made the life easier, faster and sophisticated for the common man across the globe”
Scene 15
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking of the changing face of Kerala, Motivation from government and bureaucracy etc in 2 or 3 sentences.
Scene 16
A shot of a window opening into a beautiful scenery in Kerala.We move through some shots of Kathakali, Vallamkali, Kalaripayattu etc very sharply. Along with these shots we hear the narration. Shots of a technologically progressed kerala. A shot of a patient undergoing CT scanner or MRI test. Shots of a common man making a cell phone call, and another person using PC for a video chat. Shots of power plant, refinery. Shots of a car, plane and train.
Narration
“The global success of NeST group also saw Kerala transforming over the years.Yes, Kerala has finally opened its arms as a place for fruitful investment. Nest group’s astounding success story has proved that beyond any doubt today. It has proved if the abundant natural resources and skilled manpower are used to its advantage, Kerala can be an investors paradise. We see positive growth across all spheres of life today changing the face of the Gods Own Country. For NeST, it was only giving back to its motherland, where NeST will always belong.”
Scene 17
We move to a shot of Chairman Mr. Javed Hassan speaking of the future growth plans of NeST in 2 or 3 sentences.
Scene 18
We see the NeST employees standing in the shape of NeST logo.As we come down we can see smiling faces.
Narration
“A dream can never end. It can only flow.
For NeST future is about believing in themselves.
It’s about cultivating people and growing hearts.
It’s about never stopping.”
Scene 19
We see employees in bulk coming out from the NeST units.Smiling faces.
Narration
“And they will continue walking…”
The screen fades.
Scene 20
We move to the people standing as a logo and signaling “V” towards the camera from an arial view.
Narration
“NeST Group –The Next Generation Group”
End titles.
Towards A New Horizon
This is the last poem (if you can call this one) I wrote almost a decade back during my engineering days. Obviously this one was about civil engineers and their dreams. This should be the ideal post to begin with here.
Memories from an interesting past..
Towards A New Horizon
We see a new sunrise in every heartbeat
And shining rays of life in innocent smiles
We are the creators, bound to build a new world
A world of peace, Happiness and tender flowers of childhood innocence
Minding the minds and driving the way
Leading the way to a pleasant day
We believe in the day today
In the days of concrete dreams and flowering darkness
We have a prayer to keep
To build a new world filled with splendid sunshine
Where love prevails and hopes and humanity remains
Where the fragrances of mankind smelling like roses
And peace and integrity concreted up in human minds
Where man learn to recognize himself
Himself, his inner self
And in this world of stolen hearts and dead conscience
We have a prayer to keep
O yes, my dear we are the creators
Bound to build a new world
A world of peace, happiness and tender flowers of childhood innocence
Memories from an interesting past..
Towards A New Horizon
We see a new sunrise in every heartbeat
And shining rays of life in innocent smiles
We are the creators, bound to build a new world
A world of peace, Happiness and tender flowers of childhood innocence
Minding the minds and driving the way
Leading the way to a pleasant day
We believe in the day today
In the days of concrete dreams and flowering darkness
We have a prayer to keep
To build a new world filled with splendid sunshine
Where love prevails and hopes and humanity remains
Where the fragrances of mankind smelling like roses
And peace and integrity concreted up in human minds
Where man learn to recognize himself
Himself, his inner self
And in this world of stolen hearts and dead conscience
We have a prayer to keep
O yes, my dear we are the creators
Bound to build a new world
A world of peace, happiness and tender flowers of childhood innocence
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