A FILM idea -- that almost made it.

In 2004, my wife and I spent 8 weeks in India. It’s music made a deep impression on us. Contemporary. Rock. Traditional. Fusion. Music was everywhere; the villages, the streets, blaring from lorry radios in the earphones of every motor biker, in every restaurant, every hotel.

At a performance of a traditional story dramatized by children in a village, a young girl sang with a voice so rich, warm and wonderful, she sounded like young Deanna Durbin. Some of you will remember.

One night at 2 AM, a week later, sitting on the john (closed) , for 2 hours my pen scribbled this concept, born full bloom.

“SING ME A GIFT”

Helicopter shot passing lush countryside. Traditional Indian theme music. Car on road. Theme music and natural sounds.

Car Interior. Prakash the driver, light skinned, in his mid 30’s is dressed in Western Garb. The passenger, Mahesh, darker skinned, same age is dressed in Indian garb

Traditional Indian Music comes from car radio. Prakash presses button to change station to Rock music. Mahesg presses station for Traditional music. Prakash presses for Rock. Eventually, they compromise. Traditional until lunch. Rock after. Mahesh plays harmonica along with traditional music. Prakash looks at him, smiles, drives on. Helicopter looks down at car. Super title:

“SING ME A GIFT’,

Roll cast names and production credits. Final listing is

“introducing 10-year old …. singer’s name".

Car drives to upscale restaurant. As guys exit car the front door opens and Uncle George with open arms and ingratiating smile greets them, dragging them into the restaurant, calling:

Uncle: “Mama, looks who’s here.”.

Mama (Mahesh’s aunt) come from kitchen, wiping hands on towel, Hugs, kisses. Mahesh introduces Prakash and they all sit at large table.

Diz,. to kitchen where Aunt and helper prepare food, lots of cutting and chopping, boiling pots etc.

Diz. to Aunt, Helper, Uncle carry food trays filled with many small dishes + Nan. In center is a banana leaf is fried chicken, mutton and other traditional foods. As they finish meal, all become aware of the sound of a Sitar playing and young girl singing.

To a question, Auntie says that it is her father and a neighbor girl he has been teaching. But now in his 70’s, father no longer played with groups in the villages. Like others in his group he retired; but thought Lily was special and he was teaching her how to sing correctly.

All go out to listen. In backyard, under a tree, father In 70’s, partially blind, is playing sitar and Lily is singing voice exercises, as he nods head in encouragement.

Lily – is the most photogenic 10 year old girl Singer in India. She is to be a grand discovery. They continue exercise. Prakash whispers to Mahesh to get tape recorder from car. Gets, returns, records the music.

Aunt says: “Enough practice. Sing that song I like, papa you know the one. You used to sing it to me.”

Father: “You mean this?” (He begins to play “ “, a song much beloved by all India. Lily sings along.

Song finishes. They chat. Mahesh learns about the father’s music days. Father tells of his cousin who lives on the other side of town, also a great player.

Lily takes P & M there. Lily, impressed riding in their car gives driving directions.

Greetings. Lily introduces musician to P & M; they talk music. He plays for them. Very well. Shares reminiscence of days when folk musicians and dancers went from village to village in ox- carts, playing along the way. P/M learn of another player in the village of ______, which is in the direction their headed. They agree to stop and pass on cousin’s regards.

A Jealous Relative has been listening, sizes up Big City guys, with idea of how to make some extra rupees.

After leaving Lily at her home, they head for ________ village

Jealous relative gets cousin and asks what P/M were doing. When he hears they’re interest in the music, he says they want to exploit the players.

He: “Watch, you’ll see.”.

P/M Stop in village. Inquire about ______. At grass thatched small house they meet “him” and pass greetings, Talk turns to old days of village music. Man brings out old instrument. He tunes and begins to play. Village kids stop to listen as do adults. Prakash starts taping music, while Mahesh photos people.

Goodbyes. Farewells. P/M on the road again. Car interior.

P: “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

M: “That there’s something wonderful about the traditional music, like I’ve been trying to tell you.”

P: “More than that. Those musicians and others like them are a

National Treasure. We should bring them together and let them play for all of us – like they once did in the villages.”

M: “You mean, like in a concert?”

P: “Exactly. A recording or a concert with all those old musicians who you and I have to find. And Lily. She’ll be wonderful. A little girl – carrying forward the tradition of Indian music. Yesterday & tomorrow.”

M: “Great idea. Let’s sell it.”

Car on highway, drives out of scene.

Diz. to Big City Office. Prakash in boss’ office, plays the tape. Sitar music from tape recorder.

Boss: “So – it’s village music. We’ve heard it all our lives”.

Lily begins to sing.

Boss (perks up) Really listening now: “Wow, where did you find her?”

Prakash: “When we stopped for lunch at Mahesh’s uncle and aunt’s restaurant.”

Boss: “She’s wonderful.”

Prakash: “She is. But, so are all the old musicians who played with Mahesh’s aunt’s father. They’ll all be gone soon. We should bring them and Lily together and record them. They deserve it.”

Boss: (Ponders)” Not bad. Actually a very good idea. What do you want to do about it?”

Prakash: “I want to find those from the original group still alive and videotape them. Have them tell their stories and have them play.”

Boss: “Okay, I like. Go do it. How long do you need?”

Prakash: “With no problems and say we find all the players, maybe 2, at most, 3 weeks.”

Boss: “Alright, you have 3 weeks. But, this is just between Mahesh, you and I. Bring back some good stuff.”

Prakash: “Yes, sir.” (Shake Hands. Prakash leaves office.)

The next 8 scenes are unscripted. They’re created wherever the musicians are found. Suggest: All musicians be pre-selected, former professionals who performed together and placed in selected villages and city sites.

After the long finding sequence…

diz. to a very modern film edit bay, On stands are 8 - 26” TV Screen + One 50” screen. Also, in the center of the room is a large audio mix table. Each musician screen is frozen.

Prakash: “Okay guys, hold it down. Petcha, are you ready to roll all screens?”

Petcha: “Ready.”

Prekash to the sound mixer: “What about you, my twelve fingered genius, Ready?”

Mixer:”Ready.”

Prakash: “All right, let’s do it. A one - and a two and roll tapes.

“Sound Mix. Take One.”.

We hear a cacophony of noise. Mixer slides track control and sounds begin to balance, become less strident, more balanced. All screens are rolling with musicians playing. More balancing. It’s beginning to sound good.

Prakash: “Okay, introduce Lily”

Girls voice enters. Wonderful addition. Everyone in the room reacts positively to the now beautiful mixed sound track including the Girl’s voice.

Mahesh takes out his harmonica and begins to play along. All continue to be very impressed. Door opens. Prakash’s boss enters. Stands and listens. Smiles. Also impressed.

Boss : “Great Prakash. And you, too, Mahesh. That’s wonderful. Can you put that track on a video along with each musician’s single performance, ending with the girl?”

Engineer: “No problem.”

Boss: “Prakash, bring me the video tape when it’s ready. I have a call to make.”

Boss leaves. High Fives All Around.

Boss in his office talking into phone.

“Sonia, tell him it’s important, I need 15 minutes. (Pause. Listens) Tomorrow 9 AM. Good. I’ll be there at 8:30, It’s that important.”

Prakash in glass enclosed office. He’s on the phone and isn’t happy with what he hears. He’s agitated. Storms out of his office, calls Mahesh,

“Come on Mahesh. We have a problem we need to settle. Call your wife. Tell her you won’t be home tonight”.

Prakash sticks head into Boss’ office.

“Boss, you’ll have to make that meeting alone tomorrow. Mahesh and I have a little technical problem to handle. No big deal, but we need to deal with it right now. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.”

Interior of Car.

Mahesh: What’s up, Prakash?

Prakash: “You won’t believe this. But, ______’s brother says he won’t let him perform unless we sign a contract, because he represents his brother. In a pig’s eye, he does. We’re flying to ______________to get this settled right now.”

Mahesh: “You have to be kidding me. He pulled that? I’ll bet _” “_________doesn’t even know it.”

Prakash: “You’re probably right. But, we have to nip it before it becomes a big problem.”

Walking out of ______________airport into rental car.

Diz, They pull up to the home of ___________, jump out of car and go into building up to brother’s rooms They and brother argue.

"Lily" overhears the argument. She leaves the building, tells the guy’s wife what’s going on. Woman angry.

She : “It sounds just like ______ with his silly little schemes to make a few rupees. Let me talk to him.”

Woman bursts into room where Prakash, Mahesh and her husband are in loud argument. She stands there for a minute with her hands on her hips and with a stern, hard look tells he to back off or else he can get used to the bed in the extra room. After more back and forth, the problem is resolved. All smiles. Wife behind husband’s back smirks a “what-can-one-do” with hands out, palms up. Prakash and Mahesh smile, leave.

P/M’S boss in Big Boss waiting room, clock on wall says 9:30AM Boss is obviously agitated. He looks at secretary. She looks away embarrassed. Saving the moment, her phone rings.

She looks up, smiles and says: “Go in, he’s ready for you.”

Big Boss’s very politically correct major office. He’s behind desk looking very busy. Lots of paper to push.

BB: “So, what’s so urgent, you had to see me on this very busy day? It better be good.”

Boss: “I promise you it’s good. I’m not wasting your time.”

BB: (World-Weary Sigh): “Okay What have you got?”

Boss:: (Holds up tape – points to tape machine) “May I?”

Boss walks to video player and inserts tape. Screen comes alive playing the pre-mixed track with pictures plays.

Mixed track with girl singing plays as picture keeps changing from one musician to another. BB at first very busy, stops, recognizing this is good. Nods at Boss. Noss nods back and smiles. Restarts the videotape from beginning. In doorway, Sec’y + 2 others listen and like.

BB; “Goodness. That is wonderful. Who are they and who is that girl? She’s amazing. What a voice!”

Boss tells BB who they are and how the tape was made. BB tells boss that there’s an open date he’s trying to fill at ________(india’s largest concert hall) , and this group may be perfect. In fact, it could be a Tsunami fund raiser.

Diz. to Boss’ office. He tells P/M of big concert idea and they need to get started immediately to make the date.

Art Director’s office, all working on ad layout.

Secretary holds up phone. “Prakash – call for you”.

Prakash “Take a message.”

Sec.: “I think you better take this.”

Prakash: “Can’t it wait 5 minutes?”

Sec: “I think you want to this it’s about (father) __________.”

Prakash: “Hello. (Pause) Hello Auntie. What a nice surprise.”

(Listens face turns ashen). “Oh No! How is he? I see. I wish I could come right now. But, the concert – I’ll come visit right after it’s over.” (Listens).

Prakash (Continues) “Right. And listen, Auntie, give ____________my love and best wishes. Right. _______________. And Mahesh will pick up Lily next Monday as planned. ___________. Good. I wish all good things for you and ______________.”

Mahesh: “I heard. What’s the matter with _______________?”

Prakash: "Father fell and broke his hip. They’re operating this afternoon.’

Mahesh: “He’s a pretty strong old guy. I’m sure he’ll do fine.”

Prakash: “Auntie said she has him at ________________Hospital.

They’re great. They’ll fix him up like new. I know they will. But wait,

meanwhile … who plays Sitar in the concert?”

Mahesh: (thinking)” I have a friend to call. Give me a minute. I’m going to use your office phone.”

Prakash & Art Director:” Listen, add a line to the program. A dedication, near the top – “This concert was inspired by and is dedicated to ________. Add ___________village.

Art Director: “That’s nice Prakash.”

Mahash in glass office, shakes head up and down “OK”. with fingers makes ok sign

Diz. to Outside Concert Hall, crowd milling and entering

TV New Man: “It’s amazing. The crowds keep coming. This free Concert really has attracted people from all over the country, all wanting to see their old favorites again.”

Concert Hall interior. Audience moving to seats. Closeups. Many people, in colorful, traditional garb. Some dressed Western style, Old & Young, dark skin and light.

Diz. to Hospital Room. Father in Bed. Auntie sitting nearby They’re watching TV, He’s pleased. She’s proud. .

Auntie:” Look, papa. They’re dedicating the concert to you. Isn’t that nice?”

Grandfather: “For what?. An old man and his old Sitar.”

Auntie : “I wonder who will play Sitar. I’ll bet he’s not anywhere as good as you”.

Grandfather:” I’m sure whoever he is, he’ll do just fine.”

Prakash walks to mid stage mic.

“Yameste! Welcome to what we hope will become an annual event. This is the first (father’s name) Native Musicians of India Concert, to benefit the ___________. Tonight, we are in for a special treat. Not only to again seeing and hearing some of our greatest musicians of year's past, who call India’s National Treasures. But, for the first time – and I’m certain not the last – you are going to hear the brilliant voice of 10-year old Lily_______, from the village of_______________.

Towards the end of Prakash’s talk, the music begins and audience reacts, moving to beat. Anticipation. Excitement.

Prakash: “Looks like I’m in the way here, so let the music play.”

Curtain parts and audience begins to “oh” and “ah” as they recognize that among the players is Ravi Shankar on Sitar. Various musician and audience cuts.

Diz. to Hospital Room.

Father; That’s Ravi. Look at that.

Auntie: (lightly)” Papa, I always said you were a tough act to replace.”

Back to concert. First number ends. Loud applause. Shankar steps forward, more applause.

Shankar: “Thank you. I’m humbled to be here in place of________. But, I’m also thrilled as I knew you will be, when you hear the magnificent singing voice of __________’s young friend. India, meet Lily _____________.

Prakash holding Lily’s hand walks to mic. whispering in her ear.

“Sing for Grandpa”.

As music begins, she pumps herself up, smiles and sings. Audience surprised. Multiple reaction shots inter-cut with shots of musicians. .Older couple holding hands. Man and son. etal.

Hospital Room. Father has tears. Aunt has tears but is smiling.

Aunt: “So beautiful. She sings so beautifully. What a wonderful gift”

Father: “She singing India a gift”.

Back at Hall applause is so great they take it from the top.

Shots of each musician with name and village. Begin final credit crawl.

For me, 2004 passed plus six months of 2005 while I became king of E-Mail, getting productions ducks in order. Friends provided Indian company contacts and I must have had either had E-Mail or phone conversation with them all, selecting three for final consideration. Next, came the search for an Indian dialogue writer which got locked in. Then, still iffy, finding a Music Director with a good Shankar relationship. Also finding the best source to begin the search for Lily. All while, checking funding and distribution sources in London, where at that time most Indian movies seemed to find their distributor.

When I felt I had sufficient information to reach for the moon, I phoned Ravi Shankar’s New York US agent. An introductory E-Mail, had brought a response and that short phone conversation where I learned Ravi would be in New York for an 80th birthday concert. The agent said, “submit a script and I’ll get to it Shankar.

Days crawled. Finally came word. They thought the script idea

worth considering and when he was in New York, we’d talk. It was to be a Monday afternoon. That Monday conversation never happened. What did happen was that Mrs. Shankar became adamant, “Ravi is getting too old. He’s traveling too much, playing too many concerts. He needs to cut back and definitely will accept no new ventures.

A year of dreams, of highs, lows, ups and downs. All that effort, all those phone calls, E-Mails and Special Deliveries around the world. All leading toward a tentative “Yes”, then a crashing, crushing definite “No!!!” Sadly, with that call, “Sing Me A Gift” died.

® - David Russell, 2007