It all started when the publisher of this book, K.P.R. Nair, Managing Director of Konark Publishing Ltd., was watching on television the live Oscars ceremony on February 23. Like all Indians, Nair was also thrilled when the name of Resul Pookutty was announced as the winner for the Oscar for the best sound mixing for 'Slumdog Millionaire'. But when Nair heard Pookutty's acceptance speech for this award mentioning AUM, he made up his mind instantly to invite him to New Delhi to launch his forthcoming book by an editor, K. A. Francis on AUM.

'I immediately contacted his family in Kerala through a friend and made my request,' said Nair, 'when he returned to Mumbai, I contacted him personally and he was happy to come to Delhi for launching this book about the sound he talked about during his Oscar acceptance speech.'

During this speech, Pookutty had said, 'I come from a country and civilisation that gave the universe the word… that word is preceded by silence followed by more silence... that word is 'Om'. So I dedicate this award to my country. Thank you Academy... this is not a sound award... this is history being handed over to me.'

Born in Anchal, Kerala, Pookutty was the youngest of eight children and had a passion for films right from his young days. His father was keen that he becomes a doctor, but he failed the medical entrance examination and went on to pursue his film industry dreams after studying at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He also has a degree in law. Facing tough challenges, he started his career in 1995, and made his mark ten years later by designing sounds for films like 'Black' (2005), 'Traffic Signal' (2007), 'Saawariya' (2007) and 'Ghajini' (2008).

So here is an Indian — not a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Christian — who talks about the eternal sound going beyond the confines of all religions. Instead of the gushing and emotional speeches made by most Oscar winners thanking their parents and colleagues, here is an Indian sound engineer who utters the eternal sound of the universe.

After releasing the book, the ace technician explained why he chose to speak about the sound of OM at the academy awards. 'There was a shortage of time and I thought rather than thanking my wife and neighbour and dogs I need to tell the world about my civilisation,' said Pookutty.

But what about the Christian author who delved deep into this sound? Karathra Antony Francis is a journalist and a senior editor of Malayala Manorama Weekly with one of the largest circulation in India. His book — The Essence of Aum — The Principles of All Movements and Sounds in the Universe — and his divine paintings of Tantric symbols of potent energy are based on his quest for truth. His study and the guidance he received from a guru in Haridwar enabled him to write the book and create his paintings. He returned home to Kerala with a few sketches done by his guru. But he was undecided to paint these chakras as his guru had told him that the exact measurement is most important for these paintings to radiate their positive vibrations and bring the desired results.

Only with the advent of computers did he venture to start painting these 24 chakras displayed at the exhibition inaugurated by India's Minister for Defence, A. K. Anthony. 'Ten years back I got the confidence to draw them. Without a computer we can't get the accurate measurement, but if you have a computer, you can repeat forms exactly.' With confidence came proficiency, and says Francis, 'I have made Vishnu Padam (the Feet of Vishnu) and Lakshmi Padam (the Feet of Lakshmi) for 1,500 homes.'

While these two are the most popular ones, he has altogether a set of 24 chakras, which he paints using acrylic and pastel colours. 'I am not a creator. I am only narrating these ancient measurements,' says Francis, a renowned artist and recipient of the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy Award. President of the Kerala Chithra Kala Parishad, Francis is the son of the well known K.P. Antony, known as Antony Master, who set up the Universal Arts School in Kozhikode. 

Why is Francis so deeply involved in all these pursuits? 'It is the duty of a journalist to find out the truth,' he answers with a smile. 'I was seeking the spirit of Hinduism.' The book and the paintings, he says, are a part of his search 'to discover the origins of things.' So here is another Indian — not a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Christian — who is seeking the truth beyond the confines of all religions. Together, they provide the colour and energy to the composite culture that unites them.

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