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**Tribute to Cinematographer Satya Hegde** Today, I am delighted to pen a tribute to an exceptionally talented cinematographer from the Kannada film industry — Satya Hegde. A man whose work has beautifully captured both the grandeur and subtle beauty of Indian cinema. Satya Hegde’s journey into cinematography was fueled by his deep passion for the craft. He pursued a diploma in Cinematography from Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic in Bengaluru, which laid the foundation for his successful career. His early work began under the guidance of the renowned B.C. Gourishankar. Through this mentorship, Hegde honed his craft and grew into a versatile cinematographer, capable of capturing the intricacies of intimate moments as well as the grandiosity of large-scale scenes. Throughout his career, Satya Hegde has collaborated with other celebrated cinematographers such as H.S. Venu, Das, and Rajan. These collaborations enriched his understanding of the craft and gave him a unique perspective that would shine in his later works. With more than a dozen films to his credit, Satya Hegde has demonstrated his mastery of lighting, composition, and camera work in a range of projects. One film that particularly stands out is *Myna* (Kannada), a recent release where Satya Hegde’s brilliance in cinematography is unmistakable. The stunning visuals — from the indoor shots to the breathtaking outdoor scenes, including the waterfalls and Castle Rock Station — showcase his immense talent. The film itself was a visual treat, and I believe it wouldn’t have been as captivating without Hegde’s exceptional eye for detail. His contribution to enhancing the narrative with his visuals, paired with the lovely editing and direction by Naga Shekar, made *Myna* a truly beautiful cinematic experience. Despite receiving accolades for his best work in a few notable Kannada films, Satya Hegde has also worked with popular directors and actors, consistently proving his mettle. Apart from *Myna*, I have enjoyed his work in *Duniya*, *Sparsha*, *Manasaare*, and several other films. Today, as regional films embrace the art of cinematography more than ever, Satya Hegde’s work continues to inspire countless young filmmakers and cinematographers. It’s heartening to see the growing interest among youth in pursuing cinematography — a field that demands both technical skill and an artistic eye. Regional cinema, including Kannada films, now boasts cinematography that rivals international standards, and Satya Hegde’s work stands as a testament to that progress. Cinematography is an art form that demands an innate sense of storytelling and technical mastery. In this column, I have always celebrated the talents of individuals across various languages. Today, I proudly salute Satya Hegde — a talented cinematographer who continues to shape the visual storytelling of Kannada cinema with his exceptional work. K. Ragavan 7-4-25 Until We Meet Again Next Week,

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Small Story 207. A Bond Beyond Time" Ram had always cherished his morning walks, but today was different. As he merged with his group at the VLS Hotel corner in JPNagar, he felt an unusual sense of warmth. It wasn’t just any group—this was a bond that had spanned two decades, with members aged 65 to 80, all retired and sharing stories of politics, civic sense, and life. For Ram, the group had become family over the past five years, since he moved to the area. The group gathered every morning from 7 AM to 8 AM, and their discussions ranged from light-hearted gossip to serious debates, always maintaining a sense of mutual respect. If one member didn't show up, the others would immediately check on them. Their camaraderie was unmatched, and they made sure no one was left behind, even in times of illness. The older members were especially cherished for their wisdom and experience, and their stories were filled with insight, making every meeting a learning experience for Ram. This particular morning, Ram had a surprise in store. As he opened his bag, he handed out sweet peda to everyone and asked them to guess the occasion. When no one could, he whispered, "Today, I complete Five years with this wonderful group." A wave of applause followed, and everyone appreciated Ram's thoughtful gesture. He spoke about why he was so drawn to the group. "It's the respect you show to elders and the willingness to help each other without any hesitation," he said. "One hour spent here is never wasted; it’s full of learning, kindness, and respect." After the meeting, Ram returned home to a warm greeting from his young grandson, who playfully said, "Today your day started off great, right?" Ram smiled and murmured, "True," feeling content and grateful for the bonds that had enriched his life. K.Ragavan 6-4-25

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Small Story 206. The Myanmar Mystery Gopal was deeply worried about his son Ram's whereabouts. Ram had left India twenty days ago for official work in Myanmar. A week prior, Gopal had seen reports of a great disaster in Myanmar, which made him even more restless. His wife, Vedavalli, shared his unease, and they both skipped a meal, unable to focus on anything else. No one had anticipated such a natural disaster, and to make matters worse, Ram’s phone had been switched off for days. Gopal had no contacts in Myanmar, as Ram worked for RAW, and no one would give him accurate news. But at 5 P.M. one evening, Gopal's phone rang. It was Ram. "Hello, Dad, I’m safe. I never went to Myanmar. My mission was in Mumbai, and I didn’t want to disclose it earlier. My work is completed now, and I’m in Mumbai. Yesterday, I accidentally bumped into my college mate, Vasanthy, who works at a leading advertising agency. She insisted I stay one more day. I’ll be flying to Bengaluru tomorrow, as today is Sunday." Gopal and Vedavalli felt immense relief and happiness after hearing their son's voice. They thanked RAW for ensuring his safety and confidentiality. Ram, on the other hand, was glad that his mission had been completed smoothly. He hadn’t expected to meet Vasanthy again. She was an old college friend and, unbeknownst to him, someone he had once had a crush on. Vasanthy, too, was overjoyed to reconnect with Ram. She had lost touch with him after her father was transferred, and in an unfortunate twist, had accidentally deleted his number. Meanwhile, Ram had been transferred to Bengaluru. Their reunion meeting was nothing short of special. Vasanthy’s father, Mohan, was so pleased to see them together that he immediately proposed Ram as his son-in-law. Vasanthy’s mother, too, was delighted by the reunion, as she had worked with Vedavalli in the bank. The next day, Ram arrived in Bengaluru with sweets prepared by Vasanthy’s mother to meet his parents and present the marriage proposal. The natural disaster in Myanmar, which had caused so much anxiety, left Ram and his family praying for the victims' recovery. They also felt thankful for Ram’s safe return and his future with Vasanthy. Two months later, Ram and Vasanthy’s wedding was celebrated grandly in Bengaluru, with Vasanthy’s cousins helping to organize it in the beautiful garden city. The wedding was also celebrated in Mohan's native town, marking a joyous occasion for both families. K.Ragavan 5-4-25

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Small Story 205. Vedanth's Great Gesture After returning from the bank, Swamy called his wife Malathy. "I have good news for you. I met Nandhini, who got transferred from Tirunelveli." "Oh, good news! Did she talk to you?" asked Malathy. "Yes, she enquired about you. She will be visiting our house on Sunday," Swamy replied. After having his breakfast, Swamy sat down in his chair. His thoughts drifted back eight years to when he was working in Chennai for the Intelligence Bureau. His close friend, Vedanth, and his family were living in his apartment at Royapettah. Vedanth worked as a manager at a leading IT company, and his family consisted of his wife, Aarthi, and their only daughter, Nandhini, who was studying in the final year of her MBA. Swamy and Malathy didn't have children, so they often spent time with Vedanth's family. They admired Nandhini’s knowledge and behavior. One day, Vedanth called Swamy and invited him on a trip to Tirunelveli, Alwar Tirunagari, and other places. Swamy, who was about to retire soon and was expecting some important dignitaries from abroad, couldn’t join the trip. He wished Vedanth and his family a happy journey. After three days, Swamy received the shocking news that Vedanth and Aarthi had been involved in a tragic accident and had died, but Nandhini was in critical condition. With the help of his friend, Swamy managed to bring their bodies back and got Nandhini treated. After a month, Nandhini had fully recovered and had even secured a good rank in her final-year exams. Vedanth had owned a house in Tirunelveli, and Nandhini wanted to go there to stay in remembrance of her parents. She hoped to be selected for a job at the bank in Tirunelveli. Her wish came true as she was selected by a leading bank and posted close to her family home. For the past five years, Swamy and Malathy had visited Nandhini every year, but due to their pilgrimage journeys, they hadn’t been able to visit her recently. They kept in touch by calling weekly and sending their best wishes on various occasions. Today, Swamy was delighted when he saw Nandhini at the bank, now working as a manager. After reminiscing about the past, Swamy and Malathy invited her over for lunch on Sunday. Nandhini brought along two of her favorite sweets, Jangrey and Mysore Pak, and they shared a beautiful meal together. After a while, Nandhini gave Swamy and Malathy wonderful news: “Before my dad passed away, he made me promise that once I settled down, I would go and stay with you both, to take care of you until your last breath. He said that you two are now my parents.” Swamy, moved by her words, whispered, “Vedanth, you had great love and affection for me, and you asked Nandhini to be our daughter, which we had been longing for.” The very next day, Nandhini moved into their home, becoming the daughter Swamy and Malathy had always wished for. K.Ragavan 4-4-25

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Small Story 204. Expectation is Dangerous Ramaswamy never expected that his son, Sivaram, would be promoted to the position of Manager at his office with only seven years of experience. Sivaram had been working as a Senior Assistant at a leading pharmaceutical company's distribution house based in Chennai. Ramaswamy worked as an auditor at an audit firm, while his wife, Parvathy, was a school teacher. They lived in the posh area of Annanagar, near the Thirumangalam metro station—a happy family who believed in respecting others and upholding values. One evening, Sivaram returned home from the office, carrying large boxes of sweets. His father loved halwa, his mother adored badhusha, and Sivaram's favorite was sonpapdi. After presenting the sweets, Sivaram received his parents' blessings. Parvathy, ever the practical one, suggested that Sivaram should marry this year without further delay since the promotion he had been hoping for had finally come through. In Sivaram's company, many of his seniors had more academic credentials, but Sivaram had an M.Com and an exceptional knowledge base. Ramaswamy was proud of his son's promotion, considering the tough competition in the office. Shankaran, the Managing Director of Sivaram's company, was a strict and disciplined person, making Sivaram's promotion at the age of 28 all the more impressive. Just as Ramaswamy was enjoying the moment, he received a call from his friend Venu. "Hey, I heard the news! Sivaram got promoted with an excellent package!" Venu exclaimed. "Yes," Ramaswamy nodded, "we are all very happy. How are you and your family?" "We're doing fine," Venu replied. "We were thinking of coming over to your house this evening for my daughter's marriage proposal to Sivaram." Ramaswamy was taken aback. "You're welcome, my friend, but Sivaram is already engaged. We've already fixed his marriage with a girl." Venu was shocked. "Oh, I'm unlucky," he sighed, ending the call. Parvathy, overhearing the conversation, looked at Ramaswamy with a knowing expression. "Do you remember a few months ago when you asked Venu’s wife for her daughter’s hand? They were looking for a groom with a high profession. I don't want to deal with people who set such expectations," he said thoughtfully. Ramaswamy smiled and nodded. "Sivaram will find a better bride, just like he never expected this promotion. People should judge a person's knowledge and capacity, not just their position. If you have the capacity, the position will come automatically." Sivaram, who had overheard the conversation, murmured to himself, "Dad is right." K.Ragavan 3-4-25

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Small Story 203 The True Friend – Muthu and Krishnan Muthu was completely disappointed that his friend Krishnan hadn't helped him with the job recommendation, despite Krishnan's uncle Pattabi being an authority figure in a company where there was a vacancy. Muthu and Krishnan had been close friends and understood each other well. After graduation, Muthu had managed to secure a job in a private company with a meager salary, which was barely enough to support his family. He had a sister waiting to be married and parents to take care of. Krishnan's uncle, Pattabi, was a consultant for various companies, and one of them had a vacancy for a marketing executive with excellent perks. Muthu had told Krishnan about this opportunity and asked him to recommend him for the job. But that day, Muthu learned that the position had already been filled. In the evening, Krishnan called Muthu and invited him for tea at their usual restaurant. Muthu arrived at exactly 5:30 pm, where Krishnan was already waiting. After exchanging greetings, Krishnan shared some good news—his marriage had been fixed to an IT professional, and he would be relocating to Bangalore due to a transfer at work. Muthu was genuinely happy for his friend and promised to attend his wedding. As they were about to part ways, Krishnan led Muthu to his car and asked him to get in. "Muthu, I’ve known you for more than six years. I admire your honesty, sincerity, and sense of family responsibility. When I mentioned you to my uncle for the job, he said that he only recommends candidates who are willing to pay a huge sum of money, as the company administrators are corrupt. So, I couldn’t recommend you for that job. But my fiancée, Vasanthy, said that her office needs someone with your background, and I’ve already given them your CV. You’ll receive your appointment letter in a day. Plus, you’ll be in Bengaluru with me soon." Muthu’s eyes filled with tears as he listened. "Krishnan, you’re a real friend," he said, touched by his friend's gesture. Two months later, Muthu, Krishnan, and Vasanthy were having tea at a popular Rameswaram cafe in Bengaluru. Muthu and Krishnan’s bond of true friendship had stood the test of time, proving that honesty and sincerity can build lasting relationships. K.Ragavan 2-4-25