Tales of Kutty

8/12/2019 Tales of Kutty

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Tales

of

Kutty

December 2010

A Play in Three Acts Chanakya Vyas


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SETTING:

The play alternates between the life and dreams of the

Kutty Family in the small town of Parshvanathapuram,

Southern India. Each act is super- imposed on the other,intended to draw parallels/different time-lines with

respect to the main theme of the play. The language of

the play is English. Tamil language has been used in

certain scenes to portray the characteristics of the

people in this village. The name of the village is fictional

and bears no resemblance to any place with a similar

name.

SETS AND TRANSITIONS:

The sets would involve multiple platforms to create

different levels and the upstage would signify for most

of the non-realistic settings in the play.

The transitions from one scene to another often involve

a complete change of settings and most of the set

materials used will be flexible.

The settings in Second Act change the most and this can

be played as part of the action to ensure smooth

transition to different scenes/acts.

NOTE:

A few facts and references are taken from the archives

of National Innovation Foundation.


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Characters:

Velayudhan Kutty

Father

Ranganathan Kutty (referred as Kutty & Ranga)

Velayudhans Son

Meena Aunty

Rangas Maternal Aunt

Army Uncle

Meena Auntys Husband

Joseph

Rangas Friend

Suresh

Velayudhans Youngest Brother

Vetri Selvan

Panchayat Head of the Village


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ACT ONE / FLYING SHOES

RANGANATHAN KUTTY, VELAYUDHAN KUTTY &

CHORUS

ACT TWO / DREAMS OF KUTTY

VELAYUDHAN KUTTY, RANGANATHAN KUTTY,

ARMY UNCLE, SURESH UNCLE, MEENA AUNTY,

JOSEPH, VETRI SELVAN.

NON-SPEAKING PARTS: PATHY, SANAMMA,

GRANDFATHER.

ACT THREE / KUTTY SATELLITES

VELAYUDHAN KUTTY, RANGANATHAN KUTTY,

VETRI SELVAN & CHORUS.


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Prologue:

(Two levels. Upstage centre on platforms is the first level and

downstage will be set with the props that will be used during the

course of the play. The upstage platform will signify for different

settings based on the scene visual. Most of the scenes on upstage

are non-realistic settings with reference to the main theme of the

play.)

The play opens with the following visual on the platforms upstage:

Cramped up seats, face wipes, airhostesses dressed up like dolls,

middle-aged aunties sleeping with their mouth open, middle-aged

uncles exchanging smiles with the airhostesses, bunch of kids

enjoying the window seat. A few things Ranganathan Kutty

observed once he was in the aircraft, where he landed after

wearing the Flying Shoes.

Sir, your bottle of water - Interrupts the airhostess and gives the

bottle of water to one of the passengers.


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The passengers are dressed up like clowns and they are wearing

gigantic shoes with different colors. The other chairs setup on the

platform can have dolls / puppets seated on them.

(The flight takes off and there is a television placed in the center.

The airhostess tunes it to a News Channel)

ACT 1/ FLYING SHOES

SCENE 1:

Airhostess: Sir, would you mind putting on your seat belt?

Kutty: (to the passenger next to him) Sir this belt (holding the

belt in his hands)

The Passenger helps him out with the belt and gives a cold look to

him.

He is a well-dressed businessman who ended up flying in the

economy class.

Kutty is listening to the flight safety instructions.


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Kutty: (to the passenger again) this air balloon is under the seat

The passenger gives him a stern look.

Kutty: sorry...

The flight takes off and background music will be played with pre-

departure announcements.

Kutty: (again to the passenger and pointing to the window) Sir,

Isnt this like Google earth?

The passenger next to him is busy in reading a magazine.

Other passengers glued to the TV Box in the centre. They are

watching the local news channel. The news covers everything

right from sambaaradulteration, how a girl turned fair by using

cow dung, how a 5 year old boy was rescued from the well etc.

In between all this, the news also does a cover story of a 15-year-

old boy of a farmer in Parshvanathapuram, who had failed in his

board exams. The report covers everything about the place, the

school, they interview the teachers of that school to find out the

reason for the boys failure. The district had always witnessed

toppers in the high school board examinations and this was a first

incident that took place in Parshvanathapuram. It had shocked

the people of Parshvanathapuram and the father could not bear


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the sons failure. Moreover, the pride one took in this village was

on the success ratio and lifestyle of ones offspring.

The TV Reporter: (reading out in a rhythmic style)

Let the Gods hear

Show no pity to this shameless goose

He has no fear

Absconding from home with his flying shoes

Catch him

If you see him around

He looks like this (a photo is flashed on the TV Screen)

Lean body and a face that is round.

Ranganathan Kutty, 15-year-old boy was asleep but the passenger

next to him did not let him sleep.

You! You! Shouted the man


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Here is the boy, sleeping next to me

Other passengers came running to his seat

The air hostess in fear: pleaseget back to your seats

One of the passengers (big belly, wide moustache) tells the boy

This age is very dicey

If you are running away now

God save you from being so pricey

How can one fail like this, tell me how?

Another woman (a nun with a soft voice) goes to the boy and

tells:

Kanna, it is a part of life

Look out of the window

Why are you so dull?

Even the clouds are full of life

I failed at your age


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And ran away from home

But, I had to return

I wish I had a flying shoe

To disappear just like you.

(We see Kutty in frenzy, surrounded by people of his fathers age,

unclesage, and auntsage. Their way of talking resembled a lot

to the people, he knew.)

The passenger next to him:

Little boy, these shoes will not help you

A boy turns into a man with sweat and blood

Stop this silly game of button and shoe

If you dont return back

Be prepared

To be thrown out of mankind.

Kutty starts running helter skelter, people run behind him, telling

him to stop running and get back home.


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Kutty tries to enter the toilet but is occupied by someone else.

Kutty is running, jumping over the seats and finally finds a door.

It is the exit door and Kutty is about to open it.

(Lights go off and cut to a spotlight)

ACT 2 / DREAMS OF KUTTY

SCENE 1:

(Cuts to downstage and, in the spot we see Ranganathan Kutty

facing the audience in a still position. He is wearing a blue check

shirt and plain white shorts.)

Kutty: It is my grandfathers eightieth birthday. All our relatives

have come down to celebrate his birthday.

The doorbell rings:

(The light changes. We see the downstage lit with different colors

signifying their house)

Kutty opens the door.


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(Meena aunty and Army Uncle had arrived from Devarajapuram. )

(Kutty is referred as Ranga in his family throughout the play)

Meena Aunty: Ranga, how are you? You have grown taller.

Kutty: I am good aunty. I have grown 3 inches taller. I am 5ft 6

inches now.

Army uncle: Amah (Tamil for Ok), but he is still short for the ideal

height of a boy. You should aim at 6 feet da.

Kutty: I skip every day.

Army Uncle: Swimming, Swimming. Skipping is a game for girls.

Meena Aunty: Aiyyo, stop comparing boys and girls. There is not

much difference nowadays.

Kutty: The girls in my class are much shorter.

Army Uncle: (ignoring him) Where is your Appa?

Kutty : He is in his room, reading something. Army Uncle, do you

have an email id?

Army Uncle: Yes, yes. I do have but I do not use it that often.

Kutty: Uncle, give me your email id. We can chat then, once you

are back to Devarajapuram.


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Army Uncle: (trying to get away from the conversation) Ok, ok.

We will do that later. Let me meet your Appa first.

(Meena aunty walks into the kitchen, helping other women in the

preparations)

Army uncle starts talking to Kuttys father - Velayudhan Kutty.

Velayudhan was a farmer and a quite well read person. He always

knew about latest happenings around the world. Unfortunately,

he had to drop out of college after his fathers death and take care

of his family. He dreamt of becoming a Professor someday.

Army Uncle: Anna (referred as elder brother in Tamil), How are

you?

Velayudhan: Oh, please come. I am sorry; I fell asleep while

reading a magazine. (With the magazine in his left hand)

Army Uncle: Which magazine is this?

Velayudhan: It is called Ideas That Changed the World. It talks

about innovations in the field of science and technology. How this

helps the people in rural areas.

Army Uncle (takes the magazine and is flipping the pages):

Hmmm. Looks interesting. Your interest in technology and science

is still the same.


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Velayudhan: (feels obliged) Oh, Thank you. Come, I will show you

our new house.

RangaKanna...

Kutty: Yes, appa.

Velayudhan: Arrange the table, help Sanamma arrange things and

change into your new pant and t-shirt.

(Sanamma was their domestic help and she was the one who took

care of Kutty after his mother passed away. She was an old

woman who spoke very little and hailed from a small village in

Tamil Nadu.)

Kutty: Ok, appa.

Velayudhan: And Ranga, also prepare the song that you had

planned for Taatas (Grandfather in Tamil) birthday.

Kutty: Poem appa, it is a poem.

Kuttys grandfather is on the wheel chair but seems to be very

agile. He has a specific gaze and sits with his jaws dropped with

saliva falling on his shirt, the new shirt that he got as a gift on his

birthday. It hardly mattered to the old man. Kuttys grandfather

had slipped while climbing the steps of Tirupati and certain things


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remain irreparable in old age. After that, the man was stuck to the

wheel chair.

Velayudhan: (pointing to the computer in Kuttys Room)I bought

it from the town. It cost me 20,000 rupees, but Ranga should get

the best.

It has all the latest technology.

Army uncle: But these days they have electricity & internet

problems in villages. (Trying to be a bit critical)

Velayudhan: (with pride) here is the UPS. It will never shut down

and we have the BSNL connection. Their tower can be seen from

our terrace. The internet connection never breaks. The tower is so

near. (Points to the tower in some arbitrary direction)

Kutty brings the cake and he recites the poem for his grandfather.

Velayudhan: (looking at other relatives) Ranga wrote it in English.

My dear grandpa

And his evergreen smile


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I remember sitting on your shoulders, when you were seventy

And I was five,

Today, when you turn eighty

You are short of 20 more years

To make a history in our family

(Kutty smiles. Others look at him, expecting more words to come)

Kutty: Poem over.

(They all clap for Kutty and he blows off the candles on the cake.)

Meena Aunty: Very good kanna, very good. Where did you get

this idea?

Kutty: My English teacher helped me in school.

Meena: Aiyyo, I am so happy for you kanna. Last week in my

school, we had a poetry competition and the children came up

with some lovely poems. You should also participate next year.

Kutty: (feels a bit shy)

(Light changes to the other part of the house, where they are

having dinner.)


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Suresh, Velayudhans youngest brotherstarts a conversation:

Suresh: Anna, there is still one and a half year left for Rangas

board exams. Why are you planning to send him for coaching

classes now?

Velayudhan: Yes, but he needs to start his preparation from now.

Moreover, he has to make his career in the field of science and

technology, where one needs to study day and night. It does not

happen overnight. Coaching classes will make him serious about

the board exams.

Kutty: (is eating silently... does not even look up)

Meena Aunty: Ranga how is your preparation kanna? Are you

liking the coaching classes?

Kutty: Good Aunty. I am studying until late night. (Looks at his

father)The coaching classes are a bit far but the teacher is really

good.


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Suresh: (smiles...) Anna, I must say, that after Akkas (Rangas

Mother) death, you have taken good care of Ranga and his

studies.

Velayudhan: See Suresh, everyone has something to lose and

something to win but life has to go on. Ranga has been a

wonderful son. He is very hard working.

Army Uncle (interrupts): And Suresh coming to science, the option

of further studies is far wide after taking up science. He has the

liberty to do whatever he wants. Moreover, everything

interrelates to science. Just look at the jobs created for people

from science & technology. Otherwise, he will end up like other

boys in this village, who keep playing that stupid volleyball and

apply for some government job or some arts degree after school.

Look at Vetri Selvans son, he finished his college, went to foreign

countries and then lived in bigger cities like Bangalore, Madras.

Now he is back to America, well settled with his family.

(Whispers) I heard even Vetri is going to visit them next year.

Vetri Selvan was the village Panchayat Head and owned vast land.

His son, Pathy was the first boy from the village to study abroad


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and Vetri gained a lot of respect from fellow villagers because of

his sons achievement.

Army uncle: Vetri is lucky. His days of retirement will be in peace

and his son will be quite prosperous by then.

Suresh :(( laughs)from when did you start supporting jobs and all,

the dreams of going to a foreign country and settling down. You

were always keen on advising people to join the Defence forces,

right?

Army Uncle: (in a defensive mode) I still do. I mean, I always

wanted to but I could not clear the final round. Working with

Defence Forces is a different life altogether.

Suresh: (sarcastic) it happens. At times, one likes to push their

own dreams on others, if they have failed in achieving it.

Army Uncle: Suresh, I guess, we better not get into this argument.

We will never agree with each other on this. Getting into defence

forces is not that easy.

Suresh: I was not arguing. I was just making my point clear on this.

Since, you were talking about Vetri, his son and days of

retirement. I think people in this village are just jealous of Vetri.


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Velayudhan: Hmmbut Vetri will have to pay for his bad deeds.

He used to bribe the college & school principals for his sons

admission.

Army uncle: I have heard they are Dalits. They get privileges.

Velayudhan: Bloody liars, he is a Brahmin. He made all this

tamasha to get a Scheduled Caste certificate for his son to get a

merit seat in a government college.

Suresh: But, it seems to have paid.

Velayudhan: (gets rebellious) what is the use of this wealth, after

he has lost his identity, his community, his caste. How can a

Brahmin think of converting into a Dalit for the sake of one silly

admission?

Kutty(is still eating in silence, with his head down)

Suresh: Anna, Brahmin is just an identity. Who cares after all?

Army uncle : Very true. These days, it is more about compromises

than fighting for your rights.

Suresh: And, whatever be the case, after all there will be a time,

when we will be running around for Rangas admission in the city

colleges. Filling up forms, standing in queues and getting


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signatures from various departments. We will have to bribe them

to get the work done.

Velayudhan: Ranga, kanna. Now it is time to get back to studies.

Go to your study table and start preparing for your exams.

Kutty: Appa, can I show Suresh uncle my new game on the

computer?

Velayudhan: Ranga, all this can be done later. You should study

now.

Ranga: Ok, appa. (Keeps his plate and leaves)

Velayudhan: Suresh, do not talk such things in front of Ranga. I

dont want him to get scared of big cities and the people there,

things like bribing and all.

Suresh: No Anna, I was just telling you my views on this.

Velayudhan: Hmmm. That is fine. We shall not discuss this further.

Army Uncle: (washing his hands) Suresh, nowadays most of the

things are online. There is no need to stand in a queue. Even

railway tickets are done online.

Suresh: What are you saying? Last week, my friend filled up the

form for his train ticket and had to stand in the queue for 4 hours.


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These web sites cannot bear too much load. Moreover, internet is

only for people who know how to use a computer. Nothing can

happen in our country without filling a form.

Army Uncle: I have really given up arguing with you.

Velayudhan: Stop this. We shall talk on all this some other day. I

have kept your mattresses in the room. We will talk tomorrow.

Good night.

The family members exit and there is a spotlight on stage right

and Velayudhan goes and sits on an easy chair.

Starts reading the newspaper:

In the front page:

Parshvanathapuram creates history, tops third time in a row.

Kavi Kamban, 17 year-old boy of

Parshvanathapuram village tops the high

school board examinations. His father, Mr.

Kamban has organized a huge celebration in

the village and has offered to make a school

in the village. According to Kavi, It was

sheer hard work and dedication that has


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helped him achieves this feat and compete

with other schools in the district. His

father believes that competition is very

important in ones life to excel and learn

new things. Mr. Kamban will be awarded a

cash prize of 1 Lakh and this will help his

son in pursuing higher studies.

Velayudhan keeps the newspaper aside and looks at the audience.

One huge veranda, my son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and all

our relatives. Ranga will make us proud and the whole village will

be singing songs and make him feel like a king. He will create the

history, and that Vetri Selvan will be just looking out of his

window. He would not even dare to come out. Elephants will ride

my son through the village ,at the Shivalinga temple; there will be

a statue of our family. Ranga, we are proud of you. I will finally be

retired and living peacefully.

Ranga will discover the new technology of farming and sowing

seeds through computer with a click of a button and I will be able

to take care of all my fields sitting over here. I will have a satellite

station on my rooftop. I will tell the villagers about rains, fog,


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heat, humidity, spring, autumn, winters etc. etc. The satellite will

have the Kutty family name inscribed on it. He should set an

example for other people in this village.

(And slaps his thigh.to kill a mosquito)

This village will be free of these dirty rogues flying all around. All

the villagers will look up to the Kutty family for answers to their

problems.

Goes off to sleep on the chair.

Scene 2:

(Kutty comes out of his room dressed up in well- ironed, crisp

school uniform. It was the first day of his board exams)

Velayudhan: Ranga, all the best kanna for your first exam. You will

do well. (Applies sandalwood paste on his forehead)

They both walk down to the school.

(There will be background music here, mostly to be played on a

percussion instrument and flute, which gives the eerie feel of a

village.)


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They pass through different people in the village who are busy

with their work and we see Parshavanathapuram and the people

of the village.

His father keeps smiling at every passerby, he was very happy.

Other boys in the village were also heading for their board

examinations. Every family in the village wanted their child to top

the exams and create history.

This was a great moment for Velayudhan Kutty, as he believed his

son would be the topper this year, and so did others.

Velayudhan: Ranga, check your pencil, pen, scale, eraser.

Kutty: I have checked. I have not missed anything.

Velayudhan: Write until the last bell. The teachers should feel,

you know all the answers very well. You have worked hard for one

year. It should show in your answer sheets.

Kutty: Appa, this is board exam. The schoolteachers will not

correct our papers.

Velayudhan: But still, dont stop writing until the last bell.

Kutty: Ok, appa (leaves).


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Velayudhan: (turns and shouts) and kanna, take Lord Shivas name

in your mind before you start writing.

Kutty: (nods)

(It was the first time that Kutty was in front of invigilators and

teachers, whom he had never seen. The answer sheets were

different. He kept on mugging up his roll number, which was a 12

digit long number, fearing that if he loses his hall ticket, at least he

will remember his number. We see kutty taking his seat in the

classroom and his father waiting outside.)


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ACT 1

SCENE 2:

(The sound of the temple bell is crossfaded with the sound of the

fire alarm bell in the plane. The lights change to upstage on the

platforms.)

Kutty is holding a cigarette lighter in his hand and has gone

completely rebellious in the plane. The other passengers start

moving away from him.

Kutty: Now, now. I want the plane to land right now.

Airhostess: Sir, we are trying sir. Please sir. Give that to me.

(Pointing to the lighter)

Kutty: No, no. First, you have to land.

Airhostess: Sir, we cannot land now. We do not have the

clearance.

Kutty: Emergency landing. That is what you said right, during the

instructions. Do that, emergency landing.

Airhostess: I will try sir, but first please get back to your seat.

Kutty: (in anger)No, no I said Firstland.


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Passenger 1: See, see. This is of no use. Listen listen...

Kutty: You shut up. Old man!

Airhostess: Sir, you can be jailed for doing this.

Kutty: I will be happy there. You first land and I will go to the jail

on my own. (Puts on the lighter.)

Airhostess: Sir, sir please. I will speak to the captain again. Please

calm down sir.

Kutty: See, if you do not listen to me and act smart, then I will

open the exit door.

Airhostess: Please, please. Be patient. We will land.

One of the passengers clicks his photo.

Kutty: Why did you click my photo?

Passenger: I am seeing this for the first time.

Kutty: How did you all land up here?

Passengers: With our shoes. (chorus)

Kutty: These gigantic shoes?

Passengers: Well, shoes that help you fly. People call it flying

shoes.


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Kutty: So does everyone have this? Why are we all here in the

same plane?

Passenger 1: Yes, everyone has it. Everyone who is a failure in this

society gets this power.

Passenger 2: People knew about my failure and I just could not

step out of my house.

Passenger 3: I want to go to a place where noe one knows us..or

our past.

Kutty: But, where were we going?

Passenger 1: We all were going to a place, where no one knows

us.

Airhostess: Sir. We will land in sometime from now. Please be

seated now. Please sir, its a request.

Kutty: But, now we all know each other, no point going to the

same place. Can we go to some other place?

Airhostess: (angry) Sir, we are going back to the place from where

we left.

Kutty: So, where are you taking us?

Airhostess: Sir, back to the place from where we left.


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Kutty: But where and the news?

Airhostess: What about the news?

Kutty: Is it true? I mean, how do they know that I have failed?

Airhostess: Sir, your father had approached them. He is also

waiting for you at the airport.

Passenger 2: You were just unlucky, my boy.

Airhostess: Twenty minutes to go sir.

Kutty: (in fear) Oh God! Madam, madam. Can we turn the plane

to some other direction?

Airhostess :( sarcastic)Oh! Is this a request? What if, we dont?

Kutty: Please, please. I am sorry for all this. But, can we turn the

plane like 180 degrees and go to the other side.

Airhostess: We cannot. We do not have the permission.

Kutty: Why do you need permission to turn the plane?

Passenger 2: These planes should not allow children below 18.

They have this adrenalin rush in their blood. Blow up the plane,

open the exit door; turn the plane, bloody restless lot.


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Passenger 1: (in a stern voice) give those shoes back, before you

leave and dont even think of running away from home again.

Kutty: (removes the shoes and looks at them) who owns these

shoes?

Airhostess: Give it to me. I own these shoes.

Kutty: You? How can you own them? You are also flying like us.

Airhostess: Look at my shoes(pointing to her shoes). They are like

any other shoes. Flying shoes are meant for few people. We

decide who needs it the most.

Kutty: So, will I ever get back this power again?

Airhostess: Never. Dont even think about it. Go back and study.

Please your father.

Kutty: I dont know how I failed. I cant go back to my village now.

Airhostess: That is why, you were given this power but you

screwed it up .

Kutty: Ok..ok.. I am sorry.. can we ..can we like ..go to the place

where you were taking us.

Airhostess: (furious) Silly boy. Dont act innocent now. Who

created all the drama?


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Kutty: Oh. I was a bit nervous. I was quite happy when I boarded

and you were good too.

Airhostess: Every passenger on this plane wearing the flying shoe

is our guest. We keep them happy.

Kutty: (feels guilty) I am sorry. Madam.

Airhostess: It is ok. You are young. We are sorry for giving you this

power (and leaves) .

Kutty: Will I never get this power again?

Airhostess: I dont think so. The chief decides that.

Kutty: Who is your chief?

Airhostess: He is in the cockpit . You cant go there.

Kutty: What is his name , atleast tell me that?

Airhostess: He was known as Army Uncle before he joined us. He

is now called as the chief.

Kutty: Army Uncle?

Airhostess: Yes.. Be seated. We have reached.


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Lights fade out slowly and we hear a feeble sound of the

announcement of the landing in the background.

ACT 3 / KUTTY SATELLITES

This Act can be staged on both the levels and the set & lightings

will signify the change of place and time. The reconfiguration of

sets is the maximum in this scene.

SCENE 1

Velayudhan Kutty is on his easy chair and has a laptop in front of

him. He has grown older, white hair and engrossed in some

important work. We see a Satellite Antenna above him (upstage)

on which Kutty Satellites is inscribed, which signifies the terrace of

their house.

Velayudhan: (takes out his mobile and makes a call) hello .

Hello.

I have emailed that file to you. We need the same type of seeds. I

have checked it over here. It is possible to grow in our land. We


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will make all the provisions. I will send you the estimated cost

involved. Thank you, good day.

We see him attending numerous calls.

Velayudhan Kutty relaxes on his easy chair and puts on the

television.

We hear about the latest revolutions in the field of science &

technology.

News report:

Kutty Satellite Images & Agricultural Research Company has

helped farmers gain confidence in sowing new seeds and

estimating the profits. A revolutionary concept of forecasting the

result of seeds they have sown and the exact time duration for

them to ripen. Next week, Mr. Ranganathan Kutty, CEO of Kutty

Satellite Images & Agricultural Research will take us on the

journey of this achievement and their strategic tie-ups with rural

villages in India. The vision of making technology accessible to

every human being on this earth.


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Also, on their achievement of featuring in the cover page of the

renowned magazine Ideas that Changed the World.

Velayudhan closes his laptop and relaxes on his easy chair.

Velayudhan: Yes Vetri, you were talking about some partnership.

(Vetri Selvan had come to meet him and is seated on the chair

opposite to Velayudhan)

Vetri Selvan: I just thought of meeting you. Actually, my son

Pathy is coming down from America today. Is Ranga, free to meet

him anytime this week?

Velayudhan: What is it that he wants to discuss?

Vetri: He can just meet Ranga. I mean after all they are like

friends. Moreover, he plans to settle down in Parshvanathpuram

now.

Velayudhan: (sarcastic) Oh ho. But, why settling down in

Parshvanathapuram?


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Vetri Selvan: Because, we were missing our own people, our own

land. Moreover, you and Ranga have set a great example for the

people of this village.

Velayudhan: I see. So, what is Pathy planning to do now?

Vetri: Well, he is also planning to start his own venture. He has

good experience in software now.

Velayudhan: Software. Hmmm. He can work with Ranga on one of

our ideas to develop multi-lingual software for villagers.

Vetri: Oh, he would love to help you.

Velayudhan: Not help Vetri. We can give him a job. He will be our

employee.

Vetri: See, Pathy might not be too happy about a job. He is

planning to do something on his own.

Velayudhan: Entrepreneur huh!

Vetri: Now, he wants to work on his own. He wants to work for

the people.

Velayudhan: See Vetri, we are looking for someone to help us in

the fields and helping people of other villages to use our

technology.


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Vetri: That you need to speak to him. But, I am moreover free; I

can help you with the fields. We can be partners.

Velayudhan: Who is talking about Partnership? I am offering your

son a job in my company and if you are also willing to work, then I

can work out a position for you.

Vetri: See, I am old now and a job will be tiring. I want to live a

good retired life.

Velayudhan: But your son can join us. We need a good team.

(Vetri is contemplating in his mind)

Vetri: Ok, Pathy can work as an employee and we can look

forward to a partnership.

Velayudhan: How can you suddenly think of a Partnership after so

many years?

Vetri: I was wondering, you might think of having a partner. I

mean, we can work together on a partnership basis.

Velayudhan: Hmmm. Do you still have contacts in the politics?

Vetri: Yes, I know a few of them but they are almost on the verge

of retirement. Why politics all of a sudden?


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Velayudhan: See, we are yet to get a few clearances on our

business plans and the usual license and all. We need to bribe

them. Ranga and I are going to Delhi next week for finalizing on

this.

Vetri: Bribe? You are talking of bribing. (surprised)

Velayudhan: Times have changed Vetri. I cannot stand out alone

and change the way they work. Moreover, pressures are

mounting on us. As a company, we have strong competition.

We are ready to bribe these politicians.

Vetri: We need to meet them once and see what their

expectations are.

Velayudhan: If you can get this done, then we can start thinking

on partnership terms.

Vetri: But, this will be a tough one. You have to keep them happy

all the time, even after they retire.

Velayudhan: That is why someone like you can help us. You have

an experience in politics and retirement (laughs).

Vetri: My age of playing mind games and politics is gone. I mean

now, I am very low profile on all this.


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Velayudhan: We need a few strong contacts to help us expand.

Once it is done, then we wont need to do it every time.

Vetri: I am shocked. You have changed a lot.

Velayudhan: See, I dont want Ranga to fall into all this. Let him

innovate and design new things. I will manage the company and

these politicians, papers and procedures.

Vetri: But, he needs to learn this someday. It is a bad world

outside.

Velayudhan: I know Vetri, but right now, I cannot ask him to fall

into all this.

Kutty walks in from the room with a laptop in his hand and he

smiles at Vetri Selvan.

Vetri: Hello, Kanna. Congratulations.

Kutty: (in a tentative manner) thank you.

Vetri: I was just talking to your father on your plans and how we

can work together.

Kutty: Ok. When did you come back from the States?

Vetri: Oh, I returned last month. You know Pathy, my son; he is

coming down to Parshvanathapuram and will settle down here.


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He is keen to work over here. I also decided to come back to

Parshvanathapuram.

Kutty: Oh, I see. What is Pathy planning to do now?

Vetri: He is a computer engineer. He is brilliant with the

technology. You should work together (Looks at Velayudhan,

prompting him to speak to Kutty about their plans)

Kutty: But, I need time to decide on that. I mean, whether I need

more people or not.

Vetri: (in a casual tone) you can take your time. In the meanwhile,

your father and I have started working together on few things.

Kutty: (looks at his father and takes him aside) Appa, you could

have at least spoken to me once.

Velayudhan: Oh Kanna, Vetri is planning to help us in obtaining

the licenses and other Government related activities. We need

someone like him and Pathy is a very good computer engineer. It

is a win-win situation for us. Dont worry.

Kutty: Ok, but for that license, we have already applied. What

help do we need?


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Velayudhan: You will not understand all this. Pathy is coming

down in the evening. You both should sit and talk on your

technology plans.

Kutty: Ok, appa.

Velayudhan: Vetri and I will handle all this.

ACT 2

SCENE 3

(Lights come on downstage and there is background music of

children coming home from school)

Kutty is walking out of the examination room after the last exam

and looks very happy. Kutty is walking back home with his friend

Joseph and they plan to have a volleyball match in the evening

with the other village boys.

Kutty: You should also come with me to Devarajapuram.

Joseph: podda de (Tamil slang) ..I dont want to waste my time

travelling here and there. Why are you going there?


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Kutty: My uncle and aunt live in Devarajpuram. They will be taking

me to the science exhibitions and summer science project in the

city.

Joseph: Aaah, thats all. You will be missing all the important

matches of our village team.

Kutty: I will come back once it is over and what about you? You

will keep playing volleyball all your life.

Joseph: De, I dont want to go into science, engineering, rockets,

engines and all. I am applying for the Railways, like my father. Tell

your appa, you want to stay back.

Kutty: But joseph, my appa will not allow me to stay here for two

months and just play volleyball.

Joseph: foolish fellow, we will be practicing day and night. Tell

your appa that you are doing some science project here with me.

We will show him something in the end. How will he know, what

we did.

Kutty: My Appa is very smart. He cant be fooled easily.

Joseph: you should decide and let me know by this evening. I will

be the captain and we will finalize the team today.


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(Joseph is walking away)

Kutty: Da joseph, da joseph

Joseph: I want to know your final answer by evening.

(Lights change to the home setting and we see Velayudhan

reading the newspaper)

Velayudhan: Kanna how was your exam?

Kutty: Good appa (keeps his bag in the study room under his

table.)

Velayudhan: It was your favorite subject Science. I am sure you

will get good marks.

Kutty: Hmmm... (is waiting for the right time to ask his father)

Velayudhan: pack your bags, we will be taking the bus in the

evening to Devarajapuram, and I will stay there for two days with

you.

Kutty: Appa, can we go after a month?

Velayudhan: Ennada... (In Tamil - What?)

Kutty: After one month.

Velayudhan: Why? What will you do here for one month?


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Kutty: There is a match with the other village boys and Joseph

wants me to be in the team.

Velayudhan: Kanna, these matches will keep happening. You can

always come back and play. That science fair is once in a year.

Army uncle has planned everything.

Kutty: (is silent)

Velayudhan: Also, take your books. They might be helpful.

Kutty goes to his room and starts packing his bag. In a fit of anger,

he takes all his books and the bag was all the more heavier to

carry. It was like taking his schoolbag for a vacation.

ACT 3 / Scene 2:

Velayudhan Kutty & Ranganathan Kutty are dressed up in a suit

and addressing to the media in a press conference. It was the

official launch of Kutty Satellites and the listing on the National

Stock Exchange. It was the first venture from Parshvanathapuram

to have an IPO and to be listed on the Stock Exchange. Velayudhan

Kutty adjusts the mike and starts addressing the press:


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This is a moment of Pride for the small but prosperous village

called Parshavanathapuram. There are revolutions taking place in

every corner of the world but how many are useful to the

common people. Very few people have benefitted by these

revolutions and my son Ranga decided to revolutionize the way

farmers have been working in our country since ages.

He has lived the dream of the whole village. Many boys today go

to the big cities and study there, but they never come back to the

village and help their people. They have forgotten their people,

their culture, and their roots.

With this conference, I urge every young boy in the village to

come out with innovation, new technology, a new idea that

should change the lives of people.

A reporter interrupts in between:

Reporter: But sir, dont you think the resources are limited?

Velayudhan: Everyone has to fight for it. We also fought.


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Reporter: But sir, there are enough opportunities in the big city

and there are enough jobs created for people?

Velayudhan: I am against the idea of being ignorant of ones roots

and people. People are just running after big fat salaries and jobs.

Reporter: Sir, probably you are saying this because you are in a

dominating position right now. What about the common man, the

middle class?

Velayudhan: Well, we were the same even when we were not

famous. You can ask my son.

Reporter: But still, how can you expect everyone to take up

something revolutionary?

Velayudhan: I am talking of the ones who are a little bit ambitious.

(Velayudhan gets angry and starts losing his temper.)

Reporter: But, you are also against Industrial Development in

villages?

Velayudhan: Not against. However, I have a few questions. Why

should these big companies get land for cheap in villages? They

want to set up manufacturing plants and sell the goods to the


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other countries. They earn ten times of, what they have invested

and the villagers get peanuts.

Reporter: But they also create employment opportunities.

Velayudhan: Just giving a job to the villagers is not enough. They

should also take care of them, as they do in big cities.

Reporter: For that, the Government is responsible and not the

private company. The people elect the government and it is their

duty to take care of the people.

Velayudhan: How much can the Government do? They also have

problems. These big industrialists have lots of money but that is

spent on all unwanted things. We know that corruption exists .But

one should not succumb to it.

Reporter: How do you plan to solve this?

Velayudhan: Well, all the villages should have schools and good

teachers just like our Parshavanathapuram. Education is the root.

Reporter: So are you trying to say, your village is the most

prosperous village in the country today?

Velayudhan: See, dont put words in my mouth. Please ask

reasonable questions.


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Reporter: Ok, why not take this as a model and go to other

villages?

Velayudhan: Certainly, we will.

Reporter: Whats next on the agenda Mr.Ranganathan Kutty?

Kutty: Well, we are planning to expand our reach. I will be

monitoring about 100 villages in the next quarter and see how we

can help them with our technology.

Reporter: We heard that you are still awaiting a few license

approvals from the government for the satellite-based research.

Kutty: That would be done in a months time. After all, our plans

are genuine.

Reporter: Still Mr.Kutty, the villagers will have trouble

understanding the new technology. Do you think, educating them

first will be a bigger role?

Kutty: Certainly, that is why we have a new member in our team,

a very dear friend Mr.Pathy.

Velayudhan: Mr. Pathy is a highly experienced Computer Engineer

and he will be handling the part of educating the villagers about


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our technology. He is the son of a respected and kind-hearted

person from our village Mr. Vetri Selvan.

Kutty: Yes and he will be heading one of our teams.

Reporter: Mr. Kutty, tell us about your upcoming innovations and

plans?

Kutty: Well, we have developed a device under the guidance of

my father that helps in climbing coconut or areca nut trees. The

palm climber consists of two metal loops that are meant

for holding the legs.

In addition, one of our most awaited innovations is the floating

toilet soap. As we know, that many villagers go to the pond or the

lake for bathing and most of the time, they lose the grip of the

soap and the soap sinks into the water.

So, apart from Satellite based technologies, we are also coming up

with small but useful innovations.

Moreover, science is about quest of a human being. It is only in

science, that an innovation in one country can also help people of

other countries.


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Reporter: Sir, all your employees are from Parshvanathapuram. Is

the company consciously not employing people from other

places?

Velayudhan (interrupts): See, Madam. We are like any other

company but yes, we need people who are dedicated and have a

dream in life. Moreover, we would work with people, whom we

know personally.

Reporter: Any plans of operating from bigger cities?

Velayudhan: No, we are quite satisfied with Parshvanathapuram.

We will not move to bigger cities.

Reporter: Mr. Rangathan Kutty, any word of advice to the young

generation of our country who are keen on taking up science.

Kutty: Well, my father always encouraged me to take part in

science projects and that is what creates the interest in science.

Books are merely theoretical one should have a practical

approach to science.

Reporter: Very true sir. Thank you for your time and your

patience.


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Stage Centre light comes on:

Kutty Family & Vetri Selvan Family posing for a photograph with

the Kutty Satellites logo on the top

Ranganathan Kutty holding the award for the remarkable

innovation in the field of Science & Technology, awarded to him

by the publishing company of Ideas That Changed the World.

We see all of them smiling and a photographer shouts from

outside: Oru Smile (Tamil One Smile Please)

They all smile and we hear the sound of the camera.


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ACT 2

SCENE 4:

(The stage is set up with different props to create the ambience of

a science exhibition and the props are basic props, which are used

to create other objects)

This will be a scene with the chorus acting as other visitors to the

science exhibition.

We see Kutty with Army Uncle & Meena Aunty and Kutty has a

notebook and a pencil with him to take notes, as advised by his

father.

Army Uncle: Ranga, look at this. This is the first model of an

electric water pump. We had a similar motor in my Taatas

(grandfathers) house. Draw it in your book.

Kutty: Army Uncle, is there a toilet over here?

Army Uncle: I told you to go to the toilet before we were leaving.

Did I not tell you?

Kutty: That time, I did not want to go.


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Meena Aunty: Kanna, just few more minutes. Control it for some

time.

Kutty: But, they will have a toilet over here.

Army uncle: No, they dont have. (in a rude manner)

Army Uncle meets his friend in the exhibition and starts talking to

him.

Army uncle (to his friends son): So how were the board exams?

This is Ranga (Meenaselder brothers son); he finished his board

exam last week.

Friend: So Ranga, how much are you expecting?

Kutty: I dont know uncle. English was good. Maths was a bit

difficult for me. I made a few mistakes.

Army uncle: He has done well. Just a few mistakes will not affect

the result. He will top in our district.

Friend: That is good, but is the medium of instruction in English?

Army Uncle: Completely .Children in their school cannot use any

other language.

Isnt it Ranga? (Taps on his shoulder)


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Friend: There is also a small contest after the exhibition and the

winner gets some scholarship prize for putting up their project

next year. Your nephew should apply.

Army Uncle: Is it? Surely, he will apply. Is there a fee?

Friend: No, no. It is free.

Meena Aunty: (shouts)Ayyo, where is Ranga?

(Suddenly Ranga had disappeared and Meena aunty starts

shouting all over the place)

Army Uncle: Ayyo, meena. He is not a kid.

He must be somewhere here.

Meena Aunty: But how do we find him?

RangaKanna .Ranga. (She goes on.)

Army Uncle: (to the security guard) Nambala pasangad (our

son).15 years. Onglod height (your height), white shirt, blue

pant...paatingla(did you see him).

Security Guard: (says no with a hand gesture)

Army Uncle decides to announce it on the mic and asks the

authority for help.


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The volunteers arrange the mic and Army Uncle calls out for

Kutty:

Ranga. Kanna. Where are you my boy? Please come back to the

Exhibition hall moment you hear this. Have you lost your way? We

are waiting here at the hall. Come back fast.

(There is a slow fade out of light but the sound of the chorus is

alive and they keep whispering)

Another spot comes upstage, where Kutty is in the toilet. He

listens to the announcement in the speaker just above him.

Kutty (to himself): Ennada pandrarda (What can one do with

these people?). Oru 2 minutes silence tar-maatan (they cannot be

in peace for 2 minutes of their life), Adake mele..oru science

exhibiton.. enna paknom.. oru motor..oru machine..oru rocket..

physics paper onume pandlaye.. Finally after two days This Army

Uncle has all western toilets in his house.. I could not imagine

going there.. It feels like you are sitting on a chair to do toilet

God knows why Meena Aunty married him How can one even

love him? Even in dreams, Army uncle is scary Totally crack

manJust talks big things -- Ranga will top the district Rangais

good in thisHe thinks he knows everything about me Idiot

periya talaivalli


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( The announcement comes over again)

Varen varen( I am coming)

Kutty: Uncle

Army Uncle: Ayyo Kanna where were you?

Kutty: in the toilet.

Army Uncle: De Ennada (In tamil - What the hell), I told you there

is no toilet here.

Kutty: But there is a toilet. I just went.

Meena Aunty: Kanna, at least you should have told us no.

Kutty: I told you a few minutes back.

Meena Aunty: Sorry Kanna. I am very sorry. My heart skipped a

beat, when I could not find you.

Kutty: Sorry Aunty. Sorry Army Uncle.

Army Uncle: You do this again; I will pack you off to your village.

Come let us go home. We have created enough drama over here.

Meena Aunty: I think we should buy him a mobile phone.


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Army uncle: (gets angry) Aaama (means OK in Tamil) (in a

sarcastic tone)and then buy one for you also, then for the whole

family and then you people start disappearing at your own ease.

Meena Aunty: It is so easy to keep in touch.

Army uncle: (angry) Meena, we shall discuss this at home.

Kutty: Uncle, do you get ginger biscuits here?

Army uncle: You get everything very expensive.

Kutty: Please do not tell Appa about this.

Army uncle: I am going to tell him. Just wait and watch.

Kutty: Sorry uncle. I am very sorry.

Army Uncle: HmmmmBecause of all this, we also forgot to apply

for that contest.

Kutty: I do not like these contests.

Army uncle: Do not talk like one small kid.

Kutty: I wanted to stay at home and play volleyball.

Army Uncle: Ok. Then I will ask your father to take you back

tomorrow. What are you other friends doing?

Kutty: We have a volleyball match, so, they are practicing for that.


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Army Uncle: And that Raju, Joseph, Jobin and all. They are not

doing any science project.

Kutty: Joseph is applying for Railways and I dont know about

others.

Meena Aunty: Kanna, you should not think like them. Your appa

has so many plans for you.

Army Uncle: And make a note of whatever you saw in the

exhibition. Your appa will ask you questions.

Army Uncle: Meena, I dont understand this generation, they are

so frivolous. They have access to everything so easily and they

forget to value basic things.

Meena Aunty: Dont talk like this in front of him.Kanna, do you

want to eat ice cream?

Kutty: I want to go back home.

Army Uncle: Ok. I will book your tickets tomorrow.

They leave and the light comes up on the upstage with sound

scape of flight announcements at the airport.


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ACT 1 / SCENE 3:

The plane has finally landed and Velayudhan is standing with

Ranga crowded by News reporters.

The reporters rush to them and one of them asks Velayudhan.

Reporter: Sir, how does it feel? (Adjusting his tie)

Velayudhan: How does it feel about what? Him failing or coming

back home?

Reporter: Sir, both.

Velayudhan: I am happy that he is back.

Reporter: Sir, what do you think about the flying shoes that help

you escape?

Velayudhan: This is rubbish. All bloody psychological, when I was

15, I never thought of failing or running away.

Reporter: But sir, all those people walking out there on the

runway (pointing in a direction to other passengers in the plane)

are also running away.


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Velayudhan: I think the Government has to take some action on

this magic thing. It is spoiling the young generation and mindset

of our people.

Reporter: Sir, but why does one fall into this whole game of

escaping?

Velayudhan: (angry) because there is competition. Only because

of competition, children like him (pointing to Kutty) will find the

purpose to study. Otherwise, they will eat, sleep and die in the

same village. There are plenty of them.

Reporter: Do children in villages have big dreams?

Velayudhan: I do not know about the children. But, at least the

parents have big dreams, aspirations and faith (looks at Kutty) in

their children.

Reporter: One last question: What would you want your son to

become (pointing to Kutty)?

Velayudhan: (gives a smile) Famous Scientist.


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The reporter takes calls out for his photographer and asks them to

pose for a photo.

Reporter: Little bit smile sir.

Sound of the camera and lights go off on the upstage.

ACT 2 / SCENE 7

We see Joseph with volleyball in his hand calling out Kutty:

Joseph: Kutty de

De kutty... (In strong Tamil accent)

We hear Kuttys voice: Ennada joseph. Naa ipo da vande

Devarajapuram inda(I just came back from Devarajpuram)

Joseph: Aprama vaada (then come) ennada panitrike (What

are you doing?)

Kutty (shouts): Oru Nimsham (Tamil One Minute)


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We see Kutty coming out of his house in a vest and shorts.

Kutty: De joseph how was the match da?

Joseph: You idiot, dontknow or what. That Raja, was hospitalized

one day before our match, so we postponed it. Now, I want you to

take his place.

Kutty: Ayyo, Rajas place. Will other team members agree?

Joseph: De, I am the captain.

Kutty: Ok. But today our results are out.

Joseph: Ayyo, so now you will go to the temple and pray or what?

You and your gods... Jesus save them

Kutty: But, why do you want to practice today?

Joseph: Four more days to go, not from today... from now.

Kutty: Two more hours for the result to come. We will start after

that.

Joseph: We will break in between and check our results. What will

you do for two hours?

Kutty: My appa.


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Joseph: Two months back also you were scared of your appa, now

also you are scared.

Kutty: Obviously, he will not change in 2 months.

Joseph: De kanna... (Puts his hand on Kuttys shoulder and gets

philosophical)he will not change. You have to change. You have to

change to bring a change in your life. Change is very important in

your life. Now you are also a grown up boy. And, let me tell you,

telling a lie sometimes to get your work done is fine.

Kutty: So, you also lie to your father.

Joseph: Sometimes da.

Kutty: So, that Railways Examination form and all was a lie.

Joseph: No. I have filled it up. I am also writing the exam next year

but I will purposely leave some questions. I will anyways not be

selected after that.

Kutty: Then, why are you writing?

Joseph: So that, I can play volleyball in peace.

Kutty: You are genius da.

Tell me a similar plan like this da Joseph. However, yes, my father

is very sharp. So, give me an intelligent plan.


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Joseph: De, your father is over smart.

It is easier for over smart people.

Kutty: Seriously?

Joseph: Yes, they only see the big picture. So, show them the big

picture.

Kutty: Like?

Joseph: Like, take up some science project, show that you are

working hard for it, make it look like this is your life, tell your

father about recent innovations etc. etc.

Give him the confidence that you are on your way to make a

history.

Kutty: Its tough da.

Joseph: Then forget it man. Everything is tough for you. You want

to do everything at the same time without any effort or lies.

Kutty: I have never lied to him before.

Joseph: Who is telling you to lie? After the results today, only two

outcomes are possible.

Kutty : Which are?


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Joseph: See, if you pass with great marks and top the class, then

stop playing volleyball.

In addition, if you score average marks, like not so good, not so

bad, then the scope of playing volleyball also increases. Then you

are in the right place. You can shape it the way you want.

Kutty: What if, I fail?

Joseph: Then God save you kanna. Better, fly off to some

unknown place on this earth, where no one knows you, no one

cares about you, especially, no one from Parshvanathapuram.

(Joseph is dribbling the volleyball and leaves. We see the light

changing to a tight spot fixed on Kutty and he is facing the

audience with a blank face. Click sound of the camera and lights

fade out with the theme music of the play.)

Documents

Tales of Kutty