For Baba

My grandfather, the late Mr. Pomu Das, to me, was the greatest storyteller. Every

night, post-dinner, I’d run down to his room faster than the speed of light. I’d wait for this magician of a man to conjure up a new world with his words. One day, he did the unthinkable; he showed me my first film - Aladdin. As you know, films were supposed to be bad for the eyesight and studies and humanity itself. Suddenly, a new dimension had been inaugurated in my mind.

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

Grandpa owned a video library. So, it was one film today, another the next day; you get the drift. I loved him already, but I began loving him a little more with each motion picture. Together, the grandfather-grandchild duo would lose itself in the joys and sorrows of these moving images. Around the same time, he began producing films. I accompanied him to work and realised that the actual process of shooting was slow, painful, hot and endlessly repetitive. He indulged in all that back-breaking work, but what always stood out to me was his tenacity, gentleness, humility and generosity. I knew I wanted to be like him. At 27, I’m not even close. I still live off the respect and affection that Baba earned through his journey.

I miss you, Senior Das.