‘I come from a country that gave world the word ‘Om’-Resul Pookutty

‘I come from a country that gave world
the word ‘Om’: Resul Pookutty

LOS ANGELES:
Sound engineer Resul Pookutty became the third Indian to bring
Oscar glory for India by winning the award for sound mixing
in “Slumdog Millionaire” here on Tuesday.

“I dedicate this award to my country. This is not just
a sound award but a piece of history that has been handed
over to me,” a beaming and emotional Pookutty said while
dedicating the trophy to a billion Indians.

“I come from a country and civilisation that gave the
world the word that precedes silence and is followed by more
silence. That word is ‘Om’. So I dedicate this award to my
country,” said Kerala-born sound technician.

Pookutty shared the honours with colleagues Ian Tapp and
Richard Pryke.

“This is unbelievable. I share the stage with two magicians,
who captured the noise and cacophony of Mumbai to create the
soul stirring artful sound of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’,”
he said.

Oscar award a
‘Shivratri gift’: Resul Pookutty 

T’PURAM: “This is a Shiv
Ratri gift. It is absolutely incredible,” an elated
Resul Pookutty said after his triumph at the Oscar awards
for sound-mixing in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

Pookutty, the first Keralite to bag the honour, also
said he would continue to work from India and had no
plans to shift to Hollywood.

“This a historic moment for Indian cinema. When
it was announced I could not believe it. This is a Shivratri
gift for all Malayalis,” Pookutty told Malayalam
TV Channel Kairali-People from Los Angeles.

The man from a remote Kerala village said this was
a moment for him to gratefully remember all those who
had supported him — his fellow-villagers, teachers,
family members, his two little children and the city
of Mumbai which helped him to come up.

Pookutty’s village of Vilakkupara in Kollam district
erupted in joy seeing him receiving the award in television.

“We have been stuck before the television for
quite some time. It was with great joy that everybody
received the news we have been waiting for,” a
villager said.

Pookutty has also won a BAFTA and a Cinema Audio Society
(CAS) award for best sound mixing in ‘Slumdog’. He is
the first Indian to win the CAS award.

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