Tales

of
Kutty
December 2010
A Play in Three Acts Chanakya Vyas
1

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.

2


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




3





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.



4





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.
5

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.
6

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 sambaar adulteration, 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
7

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
8

Here is the boy, sleeping next to me
Other passengers came running to his seat
The air hostess in fear: please get 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
9

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,
uncles age, and aunts age. 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.
10

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.
11

(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.
12

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.
13

Velayudhan: (feels obliged) Oh, Thank you. Come, I will show you
our new house.
Ranga Kanna...
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
14

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
15

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.)
16




Suresh, Velayudhans youngest brother starts 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.
17

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
18

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.
19

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
20

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.
21

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
22

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,
23

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.)
24

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).
25

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.)









26

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 First land.
27

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.
28

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.
29

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.
30

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?
31

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.

32

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
33

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.
34

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?
35

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.
36

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?
37

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.
38

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.
39

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?
40

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?
41

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.
42

(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?
43

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:
44



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.
45

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
46

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.
47

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
48

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.

49

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.

50






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.




51


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.
52

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 (Meenas elder 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)
53

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.
54

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
man Just talks big things -- Ranga will top the district Ranga is
good in this He thinks he knows everything about me Idiot
periya talaivalli
55

( 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.
56

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.
57

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.

58

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.
59

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.
60

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)
61

We see Kutty coming out of his house in a vest and shorts.
Kutty: De joseph how was the match da?
Joseph: You idiot, dont know 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.
62

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.
63

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?
64

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.)