1
Aland of people who once earned
a living by fishing or diving for pearls
A society that had
braved many torments
But when oil was struck
changed it all in one fell swipe
The world called it the
'Camel to Cadillac' phenomenon
An abrupt and overnight leap
from backs of camels into
...plush interiors of Cadillac's
The most expensive of cars those days
As oil changed fortunes
beyond recognition...
...colorful tales of this gold yielding soil
drew aspiring youths from afar
'Visionary gifts of rulers fused
seamlessly with aspirations of local society
Culminating in an evolution of
an enchanting city with magical pull...
Today's Dubai City
that spellbinds the beholder
Each morning, before we get into our cars
we'd have got a call from back home
Mother would have spoken
about rains and hot breakfast
The word rain evokes great
nostalgia to us, Malayalis
Is this earth or blissful heaven'?
Or just a mrorld of illusion'?
Is it the shore of a distant dream?
Bewitching siren
Alluring sweetheart
She's a city, effervescent
An ever brimful goblet
Under embowed arch of her sky
the sun and moons shone vibrant
Unwavering gaze, caresses like waves
Filling us with fervor as vast as the sea
Singing, dancing in unison with all
Her mesmerizing eyes merge days and nights
Travelers like short lived bubbles
As a rhythm of joy rises slovwy
A lifetime is not enough for this ecstasy
Is this earth or blissful heaven?
Or just a mrorld of illusion?
Is it the shore of a distant dream?
No means to lure away this beloved
Ever enchanted watching her loveliness
Sweeping one and all
with her spirited ardor
Often fades away yet remains a shadow
To clasp, hug and embrace in fervor
From deepest of depths
to be swept ashore at davm
Is this earth or blissful heaven'?
Or just a mrorld of illusion'?
Is it the shore of a distant dream?
Bewitching siren
Alluring sweetheart
She's a city, effervescent
An ever brimful goblet
Under embowed arch of her sky
the sun and moons shone vibrant
N aray an'ett a'?
N aray an'ett a'?
Switch it off please
Allow us to get some sleep
Satheesha
Answer the phone
Satheesha
Answer the phone
Who is this?
When?
And.,':
No
I'll inform
Okay
Who was it?
- Dad's not well
- Oh God, and...?
Nothing to worry
Let me ask someone else
Najeeb?
Venu'ettan called to say
dad was ill
Satheesh, I am there right now
What happened to dad?
He's gone
We'll do the needful here
But you must now
take charge over there
Don't tell your mother now
- lsmail'kka will be here soon
- I'll call you later
What's happening advocate?
I've informed the Company
The PRO will bring his passport
- Have you informed his family?
- Yes, I called his son
- What about the police?
- The ambulance will soon be here
The body must be sent back to
his home tovm as soon as possible
How come lsmail'bhai is here?
Narayanettan and lsmail'bhai first
came to Dubai in the same Pathemari/dhow
It's me
The guy in Gulf whom
we are working for...
...kicked the bucket
Can we begin work
for your other client?
This work will be stalled now
Better to work elsewhere
Did he have to die nomf?!
Nuisance!
Quick! Get in
'56th Meeran Sahib
Foot Ball Tournament'
It's the last exciting fight for the 7th
Meeran Sahib ever rolling trophy here
When the curtains fall on the last
day of this football competition...
...who will win this trophy?
Today we shall know
who will win this
A neck to neck fight, equally matched
the 2 teams are playing it out here
Narayanan has scored!
Em
E
Move away my dear
We'll die together
Govind a'?!
You don't have to kill yourself because
I asked for the money you owed me
Ivvill go away for now
But I'll be back if
you don't pay up in 2 days
That day I'll be the one
to jump into this well
This time we are the winners
of Meeran Sahib Trophy
Narayanan was our star player
Oh! Let me see it?
Oh! Let me see it?
Not bad at all
All of us can now boil
and eat this for dinner
Instead of working in fields
and earning...
...playing football matches!
This trophy can go in there!
3 daughters to be brought up
Star player my foot!
They won't allow us to
watch the Kuthu Ratheeb (ritual)
They pierce themselves with
a knife and slash their tongues
You'll feel faint
just watching them
No one eats until
the ritual is over
Uncle is not
saying anything
I asked around
There's a guy Velayudhan
Who ferries people from
Chettuva in a Pathemaari(dhow)
We must meet him
Go, they must be
mraiting for you
Give this to sister
Moideen's uncle is leaving to Persia
These are offerings to God
to make sure he lands safely
What about Narayanan?
He must have eaten
from their house
Didn't you?
Did you eat my son?
- I did mother
- Didn't I tell you?!...
...he would have eaten from there
This is not like going to
the Chetuva mosque fair
The voyage takes days
maybe months...
...or not reach there at all
This is the mighty ocean
I am aware of it
I have heard
But once we reach, our
families will be free of poverty
If it will help our family
and siblings live a better life...
are prepared
to cross this ocean
You must take strong
decisions like this in life
When I was young,
I've often watched...
...Ummer sahib's boat go past
That day I took a decision
Fathemubarak is the
outcome of that
I transport people from here
and return with goods from there
If a calamity occurs, I promise
I will be among those who perish too
That's a promise
The whole tovm knows the fee
I charge for transporting people
Pathemaari will set out
next Friday
Get ready with
both money and your minds
Sir, our wage
Please give quarter Anna more
Why do you need a photo of this?
This jewel belongs to Moideen's aunt
She gave it to us to raise
money for us to go to Persia
Pledging this will not raise
enough money, so we are selling it
When we get enough money
we'll buy a replica and replace it
That's why we need a photo
Shall I take leave?
Okay mother
I'm leaving
Father?
Shall I go?
See that things are
done very quietly
Yes, the police
can cause trouble
Yonder, a league away
is my home with my dear ones
Oh breeze from the sea
don't snuff out their flicker of flame
Instead, dry their tears
that stream dovm their face
dry their tears
that stream dovm their face
Upon waves that shimmer
like molten gold of Arabia
With sails of dreams high aloft
set sails the pathe maarillaunch
- Mother!
- Iliyas...
- Iliyas...
Nodding leaves of coconut trees
bid farewell to departing men
Oh little eagle of my town
lead me on in my journey
Silvery moonlight tell me more
about those unknown shores
When I return from my travels
be sure to welcome me home
Back with bushels of gold and pearls
All from lands beyond the ocean
Look
This is what is left
of the rice
Reserve half of it
Even then it will last
for just one more day
Who knows ow many more days
to the shore
Are there cool streams sweet
as honey, bubbling with surf milky?
Or thorny paths, scorching stones
strevm aplenty along the way?
How did my evergreen dreams
wilt away like a bunch of blossoms
Surging waves of aspirations
swell to crash beyond oceans
Back with bushels of gold and pearls
All from lands beyond the ocean
Take care of him
I'll fetch some mrater
Iliyas...
Iliyas...
Looks like a storm is brewing
All of you go inside
Babu...
Iowerthe sails
Go in all of you
Fast
Everyone get inside fast...
Velayudhan... pull the rope...
E
E
Pull the rope hardly...
I'll do it...
I see land!
Come up here
Ask all of them to come
Do you see that rock?
That is the adayalapara(identifying rock)
Hide there and don't let
the cops catch sight of you
After sundown, you
can swim across, okay'?
Now jump!
JumP
Please stop...
Moideen?
VWIen did you come to know"?
Any idea when
they'll bring the body?
Don't know anything
His only desire
had been to finish...
...building his house
and shift there
May be he felt a 6th sense
that his days were numbered
He was suffering from
so many ailments
I'd told him last time itself
not to go back to Dubai
I had been to their
house this morning
It was unbearable to see
Nalini and the kids grieving
I hung around for sometime
and came away
What can I say
to console them?
Let me go meet them
Close the lid properly, okay?
Here
I'll give the kid a candy
No use staring at the phone
Someone must call from
the other end, okay?
There! Won your
prize for mraiting!
Of course they're here!
Hope you are alright?
It's Narayanan
We waited so long
We thought you wouldn't call
How can I not call after
asking you to come there?
Too many people here
Has mother come?
Yes, I'll give the phone to her
Mother
Narayana! My dear son
How's the pain
in your leg, mother?
Much better! I go to
another doctor now
Has monsoon set in there?
Not yet
We must replace the tiles
on the roof before the rains
The walls need plastering
Sure, we'll do it
Did you send
some money to Nirmala 'Z
Ivvill mother
There is absolutely no change
in Prabhakaran's condition
He's bed-ridden
My ill-fated daughter!
What else can I say
Your father's death anniversary
falls sometime next week
I do remember mother
Narayana, hope you are okay?
There is no need to slog
ignoring your health, okay?
I'll give the phone back to Nalini
Tell me, how are things with you?
I got all the things you'd sent
through Moideen'kka's man
I have kept aside some
chocolates to take home, okay?
Our Ramesh is now
going for typewriting classes
When are you coming back?
I want to see you
Me too
I can't go on like this
All alone
You have the whole family there
I am the one alone here
isn't it, Nalini?
When will you come?
Ivvill... soon
You must go meet Nirmala
She has no one but us
Covey my regards to all
I'll call again later
- Okay
There's still hours to go before
the Muezzin calls for prayer
Are you testing the resistance
of those poor people who are fasting?
Serving all that delicious food
right before their eyes
After so many days, they won't
fall for such temptations
Kader'ikka, I am taking
the key of the post box
Yes, please take it
The 3 new boys from Cheruvathoor...
...were supposed to come here
-I didn't see them, son
Hope they were instructed
clearly to come to Khader Hotel
It's amazing the hordes of people
who land here from back home
People back home think
Aladdin's genie pops up...
...to provide them with
all they wished for in life
So many letters
People who come to collect it
must be giving you good business
I don't mind if
I didn't get business
I just hope they don't sit here
and read those letters full of woe
That box is a storehouse of
complaints and demands
This one is for you
Mammalika's new
cassette has come
This is from Nirmala
Mother just told me
All assets Prabhakaran
ovmed has been sold
I must send her some
money right away
The contents of all these letters
will be the same... only names differ
I have taken loans
from all possible means
We'll somehow raise it
It will be possible
My 'ammoochinga' has set his eyes
on 2 acres of coconut grove
- What's ammoochinga?
- Wife's father
Was the word ammayichan
disfigured into ammochinga?
What do you usually
call your father in law?
If he doesn't keep his dowry promises
you can call him anything
The new cassette has come
Lord! My prayers have
been answered
The film Thacholi Ambu
wouldn't have run so successfully
Please replace it
I am borrowing some
detergent, okay?
Very little
This is for Ali
Ali has gone to make a call
hearing about problems back home
What problems?
There was a shootout at Malappuram
against supporters of Arabic language
3 people are believed to be dead
We met some of our
people from Malappuram
Why didn't they mention this?
This happened today
When something
happens back home...
...people here are more worried
than the ones back home
Howlong have I been asking
for a scent
You're always indifferent
towards my family
Mammalikka?
What is Fous'ithatha saying?
Nothing
Won't I have the desire to go home...
...and be with my parents?
For my respected...
...and dear husband to read...
...this beloved wife Mites...
Packing a box like this
is actually an an
So you are an artist, eh?
Where were you?
I went to the tailor to get
my newpair of pants and shirt
I was delayed there
Hey! You look
like a bridegroom
- How many pairs did you buy'?
- 4 shirts and 3 pants
Didn't you buy
shoes and a belt?
That was ready long back
What about sun glasses?
I have one with me
You can have it
But you must return it to me
after you come back
When we go well dressed like this
people back home think...
...that's how mre-'re always
They don't realize
they are just pretenses...
A kind of revenge
This is for Najeeb
- This is for you
- What is it?
Pi sta
I have only seen it in shops
But never eaten them
These are chocolates and
this to be given at my house
If I'd knovm you guys
would gift them to me...
...I'd never have spent
money buying them
Dear friends, after 3 years
of toil in this desert
And going home the first
time after marriage
We have decided to give
Pallikkal Narayanan a memento
For which Mammal'ikka
is cordially invited on to the dais
WW
ES
I have also planned my trip
in December anticipating all this
I'll drop you at the airport
before I go on duty
Write it big and clear
Dubai-Bombay
Pallikkal Narayanan
- What is your name?
- Narayanan
Come
What's in this?
Household items
Clothes and such stuff
Keep it here
Open it
Once opened it'll be
difficult to repack
- What is in there?
- Nothing expensive
- Gold biscuits
- Not at all sir
Really?
Open it
- I said open
- It's difficult to...
Open
There are so many items
You'll have to pay a heavy duty
They are just small items
Do you have any
Dirham on you?
Give me one more
Okay
You can go
Our land is so special
Nothing to beat its beauty
There were so many people
vying to come pick you up
I avoided them saying
there wasn't place in the car
It's quite easy to reach
Bombay from Dubai
But getting here from
Bombay is such a pain
I stayed overnight at a place
called Tanker Mohalla in Bombay
Bombay is quite
a weird place isn't it?
Our Hamid's brother was picked up
by a guy who pretended to know him...
...and stole all his stuff
He was lucky to be alive
People discretely spy our
names on our baggage...
...pick us out and
talk calling us by name
At times quite shocking
They say that soon we can
land directly in Trivandrum
Well, we can say so
only after it happens
Afterall it's our country
That's true
You can stop here
Maimoona
Do you remember us?
- Where is Hamsa?
- Gone for his job at the mill
Isn't he Basheer?
He looks big enough
to be married
Mother!
Brother-in-Iamf?
- He's become fat
- Eats a lot brother
Why did you come out here?
Anyway I'm coming in, isn't it?
I did tell her not
to come out bother-in-law
I'll hold this
Smitha, my dear child
- Hope you are fine, sister in lamr'?
- Very fine
Didn't you say you
were leaving only at 8
I went a little early
Don't fuss
we'll go together
to see him off
I shut my shop for 5 days
in the event of his home coming
Just help me with this,
These are stuff to be
delivered to various friends
Is that all he's got?
Ask him
Be quiet
What is that brother?
Pista nuts
Give it to every one
Pista?
What's that?
Greetings
Do you know how long
I've been waiting, Bala'?
I was a bit busy at the shop
It's festival season
- Have you put on weight?
- Yes a little
This material is for boys
Howmuch will he need?
Maybe one meter
Then cut what
you want from this
What about Ramesh?
We'll give him material from
what I've got for older people
Here
Give some to Narayanan
Why does he want'?
He's eating them 24:'?
Let us also know
what it tastes like
- lsin't it sister in law
-yes
It's Brut
Spray
Brother, for you a Hero pen
A saree for sis-in-law
Pushpa, here's a saree for you
This one for Nirmala
Can't youremember once in a while
that we both are lonely here
Except Chandran none of you
comes here
We are ladies, how can we step out
of the house as we like
You go inside and rest
Don't let Pavithran see you work
Even we have given birth to few
No one is so caring like Pavithran
Pushpa, add chilly
that's what Narayanan likes
Give some tea for
Sudhakaran & Pavithran
When I was carrying Sudhi...
my husband brought me here...
and never came this way
for two months
Remember the priest
at our temple here?
He always asks about
your well being?
Shouldn't we give him
at least material for a shirt 'Z
Sure
This is your 1st visit
after your marriage
You must give a few gifts
to Nalini's relatives too
If what you brought is not enough...
at least buy something from here
Is it gold?
For whom?
Give me your hand
This is not for you to sell or
pledge in times of difficulties
I must see this on your hand
the next time I come here too
These letters are for
people living around here
I can post some of them...
but fewl must hand deliver
There is a packet labeled
'Naushad Kodungallur'
Bring it here
This is for this 'Naushad'
If the others see it
you won't get anything
That's why I did this
Mother asked me to make sure
everyone in house got something
I've brought the umbrella
and torch your dad wanted
Will you be able to help
Ramesh get a job in Dubai?
When did you come?
A few days ago
I heard you'd come
nearly 2 weeks back
Busy making up for
lost time with your wife, eh?
At home they complain
they hardly get to see me
I go out early morning
and return late at night
By the time I deliver
what others sent through me...
That's been my job for
past two weeks
I haven't been able to visit
even my wife's house
Here, this is for you
This is the 5th or 6th time
in 16 years you're coming home
Every time you
bring me some thing
Gives quite a good feeling, okay?
Will someone like me be
able to earn a living there?
If I ovmed a shop like this here
I wouldn't want to go anywhere else
Really!
Where is our Velayudha'etan?
You mean launch Velayudhan?
He's here
It was near Muscat
his ship ran into trouble
By the time he could
get someone to repair it...
...strong winds sent it
smashing against a rock
He lost his launch, goods
and everything else
He's lost all his old glamour
Can I have a cigarette please?
- Look, our Narayanan
- Hey, you here?
Here take these
You needn't buy cigarettes
I just lost a buyer!
Tell us, what's happening?
A few days is all
I have as vacation
What news could
I possibly have?
Why don't you come
visit our football court?
We are conducting
a tournament this year
The winners' trophy
can be your contribution
Make it a memorial in your
dad's name... a rolling trophy
We'll think about it later
Where are you off to novlf?
Trissur, to see
Jayan's film Karimbana
I am also coming
Ages since I sawa movie
E
E
Narrate the story
afterwards, okay?
What are you two up to?
Jackfruit from
our own backyard
Must be ages since you've
seen or eaten jackfruit, isn't it?
How is Prabhakaran'?
Manipal Hospital is said
to have the best doctors
I'm thinking of
consulting them
Chandran was looking for you
Go, make him some tea
Dig where it needs to be dug
Look, that area is full of weeds
Dig deeper
The place gets overgrovm with
grass and shrubs so quickly
Were you looking for me?
You are hardly here and
now it's time to return, eh?
It's difficult to make ends meet
selling coconuts and pepper
I was thinking why not
set up a provision shop
Jalaja's family has agreed
to loan me an amount
I'll sell some of her goldjewels
You must give me Rs 25000
Rs 25000?!
You can if you try
Both of us have a share
in this property and house
But I don't need
a house for myself
My wife is the only child, so
their house belongs to her
Not only that, our house
is the result of your toil
I'll do the needful
Just send me Rs 25000
Will this tooth powder be enough?
I've packed some beaten rice
The food for your train journey
can be prepared in the morning
Mother, you sit quietly
They will do all this
This was given at Lolappan's shop
This is from one of my
room-mate's family here
I'll keep it with other letters
I have to deliver there
Are you asleep?
No, just lying dovm
Just think of the promises
you made before you landed
I haven't been able to
even talk to you properly
I am not going
because I really want to
I feel like an animal being
taken to the slaughter house
Then why do you
want to go back?
That's impossible!
Life of a migrant
is like the jackfruit gum
The stickiness
will never go away
Has mother gone to sleep?
I'll just peep in and come
Sit my son
You're never able to sleep the night
every time, before you return, isn't it?
Can I lie dovm here
with you for some time?
In Dubai, when I lie on my bed
I feel you are beside me like this
I've to go back once more
Our problems will all be solved
Next time I come
there's no going back
This is what you said
the last time you came
How many families here
live together in unison?
I'll forget everything
once I go back
Back there, where is
the time to think of all this?
Don't run around
in this condition
Give me that bag
We'll consult Manipal doctors too
Everything will be alright
Smitha' kutty
See you next time okay?
No need to get out there
Have this
Latchman?!
A tea to room 106
My flight is at 5.30 am
Is there a bus to the airport?
There is a bus at 12
If you want to catch that...
...you'll have to come
and wait here by 11.30
Don't blame me
if you don't get it
He is the man
I told you about
a m m
m
I am Majeed
My house is at Kathiroor
Can you do me a favor?
Please give this to my house
It's just a doll
The shop opposite the bus
stop belongs to my friend
You can give it there
This is his address
I know this shop
I will give it there
You must do me
one more favor
Please don't say it was
given from Bombay
Say it's from Dubai
Okay, I will
What happened?
I pledged my house, sold
my wife's and mother's jewels...
...and gave it to the
agent to go abroad
When I reached here
I found he'd disappeared
My whole family will commit
suicide if they come to know
My daughter Ayesha had
wanted a doll from Dubai...
...that blinked its eyes
In this Tanker Mohalla,
we get any Dubai product
I earn a living supplying tea
2 paisa commission
for every tea
Take it easy my friend
May be God has
other plans for you
I am beginning to
lose faith in Him
The more tests He puts us through
the greater care He will bestow on us
Hey friend!
I have enough
to reach the airport
- Have this
No please!
- It's okay
- Keep it
What is your name?
Why do you ask?
As a boy I have learned by-heart
the many names of the Lord
I want to know if your
name is one among them
My name is Narayanan
When you come buy me
a colour photo
All thekids in my class
are going to Kannurto...
It's just 2 days
since you returned
You've already
bought a new suitcase?!
They were selling it cheap
on the subway footpath
My return maybe in 2 or 3 years
But my suitcase is ready
I must start filling it up
with goodies from tomorrow
Like crows building their nests
But whatever we give our
families are never satisfied
Complaints range
from size to numbers
Or she got but I didn't get, etc
Neither can we give this job
Where the heck were you?
I went around Deira
and bought a suitcase
E
Evil/W?
E
E
- No, I got out early
- Come with me
- What for?
- We have to go
- Where?
- Come I say
What is it?
We just got news from back home
Narayanan's mother...
It happened 3-4 days ago
Come, let's go back to the room
You go, I'll come later
No
Don't be alone here
I'm alright Moidu
You go, I'll come later
I want to be alone for sometime
Mother!
Please go
What is it?
Najeeb had called
The flight is at 3.30 am tomorrow
It will reach around 9 am
It will be here after noon
Here
Now throw
That's the way
Father!
Mother!
Father is here
Mother!
Father is here
Father has come!
Father?!
Both of you are playing, eh?
Don't you have to study?
Hey! Narayanan'ettan!
Why didn't you tell us
you were coming?
I arrived all these years
with lots of noise and fanfare
This time just for a change
I thought I'll come silently
You didn't utter a word even
when you called 2 days back
- Okay, then I'll go back
- That's not what I meant
It was only yesterday
I decided to come home
How can I inform you
the day before that?
- Dad, did you buy the auto?
- We'll buy it by and by
The ball you brought
last time is inside the well
I am quite fed up getting it
out of the well now and then
It wasn't me
It was him
Didn't I ask you to get
that well covered with a net?
Good Lord!
Narayan'etta
- Have you gone thinner?
- No! You're imagining it
E
E
Are you studying to
make things bad?
You are always with this
'lime you stopped reading all this
Both the boys are
with Nirmala'edathi
Sathish is very fond of her.
All are grumbling
that you didn't bring gifts
It's been only 6 months
since I last came
I was quite lavish then
But when you come from Dubai...?
I don't pick up things
from the foot paths of Dubai
I just mentioned it, that's all
It's time to renew the 'VISA
I need a big amount for that
Don't tell anyone...
I need a big amount for that
...I didn't come
to renewthe VISA
I am not going back
All these days my status as a
Dubai-man's wife was great
Nowl can't claim even that
Are you asking
me to go back?
The kids and I are
not your only dependents
Your widowed sister
and her daughter too are here
Howvvill they manage
without your support?
Chandra'etan and his family
are better off than us with his shop
Are you planning to
open a shop here?
I must find myself
a suitable job
How much longer must I struggle on a foreign land
I am not as healthy as I once used to be
I too wish to be a
part of family life here
Don't go if you don't want to
We'll manage with what we have
Don't tell anyone about this
Tell people I'm waiting for my VISA
I must find something to do here
If you watch TVwith
such high volume...
...you wouldn't know even
if the groves were stolen
Uncle brought the video cassette
Where is Narayanan?
He was out there
Didn't you see him?
I heard you were back
only this morning
What were you up to?
We just cleaned up the well
and covered it with a net
- I was about to come to your place
- Why this unexpected visit?
Nothing in particular
'l'lme to get my VISA renew
We heard unusual voices
And there he was
We went on a pilgrimage
Returned only this morning
Here, take this
Provisions
Blessed offerings
I was about to call you actually
Will you be here for some time?
Yes
My 'VISA may take some time
E
HWW?
A good marriage proposal
has come up for our Smita
They have met occasionally
- Where are they from?
- Quite nearby
The boy is employed
at the secretariat in Trivandrum
Heard they belong
to a good family
What is there
to think about?
Ask them to come
and let's talk it over
I want to be here
at least forthis wedding
I'll leave only after that
Howlong have
you been in Dubai
May be 32 years
He's one of the first from
our tovm to go to 'Persia'
In Velayudhan's launch
All those who went
that trip did well in life
Are your wife and kids in Dubai?
They are here
Arun, it's the in-thing for government
employees to migrate to Gulf on leave
If you have any such idea
better tell early enough
We'll fix the marriage on
the earliest auspicious day
Okay Chandra?
Sure, but what about
other matters?
Our family is of
aristocratic lineage
We have no particular demands
But then, being the niece
of a person in Dubai
I guess you'll conduct it
in a way worthy of you
Sure
Have your tea
Here's your change
What's the problem brother?
Arun's uncle and the
marriage broker met me
They are backing out
of this marriage proposal
Everything right up to
the wedding day is fixed
What's the issue?
They've somehow come to know
Nirmala has no property of her ovm
Who says so?
She can live in our house
for as long as she wants
That's exactly the problem
She can only live there
It's not her ovm, isn't it?
They should have enquired
about all this earlier, isn't it?
Nowwhen everything else is fixed...?!
They do have a point
I can think of
only one option
What's that brother?
Let's give up that
house to Nirmala?
Give that house?
What do mean, brother?
I am ready to Mite off
my share of it to her
Your share?
Remember, 15 years ago you took...
...Rs 25000 from me to open this shop
You maintain clear accounts
Agreed that I did take money
But in all these years,
do you know the mrorth...
...of provisions taken from here?
I have not kept account like you
Narayana...
We have given Nirmala a plot
of 8 cent in front of our house
I'll ask her to
bequeath it to you
You build a new house
worthy of your stature there
Do you think the old house
is fit for a person like you?
What did all of you
say all these days?
That he was toiling in Dubai
for the sake of his family here
Now look what happened?
What are you saying Nirmala?
From the time I remember
Narayanan has done just that
It only appears like that
for outsiders like you
He sends money every month
for Pushpa's son's education
There's so much more
important things to be done here
But such things will not
bring get him good name
Chandra'etan promised
to give up his share
He's not willing even though
am mlriting off my 8 cent to him
That's why I always say
adversity brings out true colors
This is a deliberate game played
by Chandra'etan and Nirmala'edathi
Otherwise how did she know it
even before you reached home'?
You speak as if
it's a game of football
They are actually tossing
our life around like a football
Brother does have point
She does not have
anyone other than us
Let the wedding plans continue
and allow her some happiness
Nowl'll tell you something
which will make you happy as well
I am going back to Dubai
You spoke the truth Nalini
People like me can't live here
We'll bequeath
this house to Nirmala
Let that marriage happen.
We'll build a house on
the 8 cent plot
A small house
Moreover, my guilt that I didn't do
enough for my ovlm family will clear
Smitha borrowed my chain for the function
She has not returned it
Anyway you have to give her
a gift for the wedding
Now don't bother asking it back
We carry our passports like
our life depended on it
Since I'd decided not to go back
I've forgotten where I left it
When is the wedding?
June 12th
Good Lord!
I'm going out
A few more invitations to be given
We have already
spoken to Chandran
You should have
seen to it earlier
I didn't realize
the VISA expires
Chandra'etan did explain
I just came to put in a request
Purely for my own peace of mind
I arranged everything to get
my 3 sisters married
But was not lucky enough
to participate in their weddings
Just 2 days
If xme prepone the marriage
by 2 days
I can also participate
My relatives live
in different parts
They have already made their
travel plans and booked tickets
Do I have to upset all that
just for you to participate?
Of course not! Your guests
are most important
I was foolish in asking
I didn't want to
have any regrets later
People like me
are destined only..
...to see from afar
such festive occasions
There are a few houses here
I must step in to invite
The funny part is...
...the person inviting
is never there during the wedding
Em
E
Okay then
Pull it ashore
Wdiim'?
E
Who are you?
I went to Dubai
years ago in your launch
N aray an an
The ocean continues
to provide for me
I'm not like those
who crossed over
One person toils while the rest
of the family enjoy the fruits
This happens only
in this part of the world
Hereafter, it won't matter
if you didn't come
They'll feel sad only if
your money-order stops coming
They will forget how
you sheltered them...
...from the storms and
tempests in life
Finally, stand like an old umbrella
in some corner of your house
Your life will
end only like that
Who cares what
happens to you?
I didn't see the wedding saree
- Where is it?
- Looks great
This saree will suit Smita very well
I was the one who insisted
You were all very doubtful
Are leaving already?
Why so early?
Anyway I have to leave
I thought I'll a bit leave early
Smith's wedding saree
How does it look?
Good
What about for the others?
Sure, everyone gets a saree
After staying back so many days
when I think you won't be there...?
If I did stay back, they'd
send me home forever
I just can't my dear
I have asked Sudhakaran
to send me a cassette of every event
It is a technology
for people like us
Chandra'ettan will soon
be here to drop you
That's not necessary
There are more important
things to be done here
So, I'll see you my dear
Bless you
I thought Chandran was joking
Are you going off when there's
a wedding in your own house?
Let the kitchen be
on the north side
It's convenient to have
the well nearby
Let not the smoke spread
to the wedding dais
Chandra'etan is a bit tight fisted
See that the lunch
does not lack in anything
We must serve good food to
people we've invited, okay?
See that the dais is strong
Can't predict when it'll rain
Use a tarpaulin if necessary
Clean up the entire place, okay?
Place tube lights
up to the main road
Our guests include
old people and kids
As I step out
on another travel
Leaving behind rain soaked villages
And sun kissed fields
With memories of faces
streaked with tears
I step out
on another travel
As I step out
on another travel
Please have a drink
It's very cold
Hope it's okay?
I got the bus late
Vasanthdedathi, have you
met the bride?
She's in there
Vanaja?
Go and play
somewhere else
I can't hear a single word
with all this noise around
I'll call Nalini'edathi
Did you see Nalini?
She's got a call
Hey! You were here, eh?
Take one
You boys sit in the bus
Do you recognize him
Narayanan's older son Satheeshan
He's in 6th grade
Younger one is Sudheeshan
In the 4th grade
Stop creating a racket
Sudhakara, isn't the bus ready?
Nirmala, ask them
to make it fast
Better occupy the bus
Afterwards you may
not find good seats
How's things going on?
How's things going on?
We were just leaving
Call me tonight
E
Him
In a temple
where fowers bloom...
...as a sacrifice ends...
In this desert dunes...
The heart burns in pain
To keep the flame of survival alive...
In houses perched far away...
I cross this great sea...
I step out on another travel
Suleiman'ikka has gone home
Ashraf has been told everything
My brothers-in-law are
pestering me to help them
It will be good if you can
Physical labor is a bit
difficult for us in future
Opening a cafeteria
is not so easy
All I have is a little gold
belonging to Suhra
And that too, they are pavmed
All that will turn out right
Money will come in somehow
Why don't you also pitch in?
To meet the expenses of
Smitha's wedding and VISA renewal...
...I'll have to continue here
for the next 3 years
After that I must lay the stone
for a house on that 8 cent plot
Suhra also called to say
there was an upcoming wedding
Even if they are well off
back home, the expenses...
...are always dumped
on our heads
I have to buy tea and sugar
It's only the 20th and you are
already running short of stuff, eh?
Whose turn was it to clean
the room yesterday?
Suresh for cleaning
and Yusuf for cooking
I knew it must
have been Suresh
Why this hesitation to
keep our domain clean?
The biggest relief
when back home...
...is that we don't have
to Q~up to use the toilet
Some people have
houses with 3-4 toilets
But must come back
and stand in queue here
The contractor is planning
to put in another cot here
It's quite congested as it is
What will we do
with one more cot?
It will become
a wagon tragedy
If we don't agree
he'll hike the rent for sure
This time Suhra and the kids
insisted they want to visit Dubai
Just bring them here
Talk of pot calling
the kettle black
We at least go
once in 3-4 years
How long was it since
you last went home?
Actually we must
bring them here
Only then will they
understand our difficulties
If so, then Mammal'ikka's
sons-in-law must come here first
You not only got 4 of
your daughters married
Now you must take care
of their husbands also
- Is Narayanan there?
- He's here
Narayana, it's Chandrettan
- How are you'?
- I'm fine
What's happening there?
All fine
Smitha is with Arun
at Trivandrum
That's good
They are planning
to take Nirmala with them
Nowthey are looking out
for a convenient house
That's great!
She's never knovm
happiness in life
Arun is a good boy
Arun says the rent of houses
in Trivandrum are very high
It's the same here
Rises every other day
Arun suggests why not
rent out the house back home?
But Arun's parents
live there, don't they?
Not that house, Narayana
Our house
But what about Nalini
and the kids...?
It's their house and ifthey decide
to rent it out what can we say?
That's right
Just ask around will you?
I'll pay Arun whatever
is the rent in market
What is it?
Nothing at all
I am a tenant
in my own house
Didn't a Malayali guy
die here today?
Yes, go upstairs
Somebody died
here today, right?
Yes
Narayanafletan
But the body has
been taken away
E
E
E
E
Can I see any one
of his roommate?
Jose'eta
You can speak to him
Him
H
Can you give me the phone
number of your house owner?
Okay, note it dovm
I have been here for very long
but not been able to anchor myself
I stay at Sharjah with a friend
The line seems to be busy
Would he have allotted
it to someone else?
What's it?
When Narayanan'etan
passed away...
...a cot would have
become free, isn't it?
'Thought I can shift over
Nowit's ringing
If I'm lucky I'll get it
What audacity!
Like Nero playing the fiddle
\M1ile Rome was burning
I'll blow my top
if I stay there any longer
One guy has come to shift
into the dead man's cot
When did you
begin day time duty?
You look better after your
daughter-in-law started cooking
All your imagination
It's only because you're
seeing me after along time
I do get my meals on time
after Najeeb and his wife came
Why don't you
come over on Friday?
Hows your house
construction coming along?
They've begun the final touches
All the workers are from Bengal
Kerala is their gold mine now
Our own people are too lazy
Tunes have changed
It's 6 years since
Najeeb came here
In the time I took to build one
cafeteria, he has opened 8 of them
The small house I built
back home took me 15 years of toil
But in this short time, he has built
a palatial house on the same premises
Sometimes I feel, our efforts
were just a waste of time
We paved the way
for them, didn't we?
They don't have
any hurdles to cross
So success comes faster
I have a wish to fulfill
before I return home for good
I want to step on the soil
of Khorfakkan once more
They've come to meet
you, Narayanan'etan
Being a Friday
I knew you'd be here
I am Manoj
Satheesh's friend
Where are you from, son?
I am from Triprayar
We want an interview
from you for Gulf News
Interview me?
On the occasion
of celebrating 50 years...
...of expatriation we've heard
plenty of success stories
But we are making a program
on people like you mo...
...have not succeeded
in spite of so many years here
Did Satheesh say
my life was a failure
I did not mean that
I was just joking
Ask me whatever you want
How did you come
to this desert in the 1960's?
We came in Velayudhan's launch
and reached Khorfakkan
Wonder who the first Malayali
was to have stepped on this land?
Whoever it was it wouldn't
have been for sight seeing
Must be someone like us
on the brink of poverty...
...and with many sisters
to be married off
It looks like just yesterday
we swam across this ocean
'l'lme passed by
in the blink of an eye
At least we touched shore
Wonder howmany people who
came for livelihood sank in this sea
50 years
What did we achieve?
Our homeland prospered
when our people migrated here
Our hard work and toil
helped this country prosper
What about us?
But wasn't it this land that
fulfilled many of our desires?
Yes... and thus tomorrow
I shall leave this place forever
The days you spent with Nalini...
...or those I did with
Suhra comes nowhere...
...near the number of days
we spent together my friend
We've always been together
ever since we remember
Wind up your stay here and...
...return home as soon as possible
Must be dad
Tell him I'm asleep
He never stops talking, mother
Wants to know every
single event happening here
E
Em
What took you so long?
I was washing vessels
Where are the others?
They slept
E
E
What did you make?
Satheesh insists on meat
There was chicken in the fridge
and I made fish curry for Kuttan
There was chappati and puttu
Moreover left over
sambhar and rice was there
Moideen is coming home
What shall I send you?
One of your shirts
you wore for a day
Can you send it
without laundering it?
What is all this, Nalini?
Nothing! Forget it
Have you eaten?
I was having dinner
I'll call you later
I got in simply
just to look around
- How much does this one cost'?
- 500 Dirhams
Don't look at
the exchange rate
I'll come just before
I go back home
I'll get you a special discount
It's a general habit
with Malayali's
They convert Dirhams into
Rupees before buying anything
E
E
Do you recognize me?
No
That's not surprising
But I will knowyou
anywhere anytime
I have been searching
for you all these years
I think you got
the wrong person
Think back 30 years,
at Tanker Mohalla in Bombay...
...you placed some mone
in the pocket of a young man
I did not sleep that night
I felt a glimmer of hope
I mranted to meet you again
But you had left by the time
I came to that lodge
What you gave me was
self confidence to move on in life
This is my shop and I have
many such shops here in the Gulf
Ayesha is also here in Dubai
with her husband and kids
I'm very haPPV
I can't repay you ever
But tell me what can I do for you?
The fact that you recognized
me is more than I expected
Come, let's sit inside
I am going for another
interview tomorrow
I'll leave then
Who was that?
Family member?
No, from my home tovm
I don't know him very well
What did he bring?
Bed sheets, blanket
soap, brush and some snacks
Neither a family member
nor an acquaintance
Yet when he came to know
someone was looking for a job...
...he's come with all those gifts
A true Gulf migrant
What he brought today would
be worth a day's wages for him
What's that Narayan'etta?
A gift from an old friend
Who is that?
Do you knowthe lights
shop in the mall I work in?
The ommer of that
showroom, Majeed
You mean Maker! KavunkaY?
He's as well knovm as
business tycoon Yusuf Ali
How did he become your friend'?
Just an old acquaintance
You are amazing!
Why then are you struggling
like this with friends like him?
I must get up early
I have morning shift this week
N aray an'ett a'?
Switch it off please
Allow others to get some sleep
N aray an'ett a'?
Please sit
I've shut dovm shop
Wonder when this will be over
Why don't we go
have something to eat
Better go somewhere far
All knovm people here
Are you going?
We were just...
When the box Gulf is opened
shouldn't the brothers-in-law be present?
The box that arrives from the Gulf
has a typical Dubai fragrance
Is there any family
on this shore mo...
...hasn't got a family member
I helped go to Dubai?
Hey! I forgot to mention
A launch is all set
to sail tomorrow
It will become an issue
if the police come to know
Anyone can go
It's free for everyone
on this shore
I don't want anything
Once they cross the ocean
they can return with gold and cash
Don't let the police get you
They have started
from the airport
It'll take about
2 hours to reach here
Since the body is embalmed
we can't keep it for long
Why don't we do this?
We knowhis greatest
ambition was this house
God did not give him a chance
to spend a night under this roof
Why don't we place his body
on the verandah of the new house?
True! Let his desire be
fulfilled at least in that manner
The one who crossed the sea
He who returned to this land
Satheesh
my is it set up there?
Brother said we'll
lay him down there
Uncle, why here?
I thought Moideen's
suggestion was right
Let's not do that
Moideen'ikka
We will soon
shift to live there
Do we have to begin
it so inauspiciously?
Let's not do it
And in case we wanted to sell it...
won't even get a good price
Don't
Oh dear moons which
came till the door and peeped...
Oh dear evenings that have closed
the doors in anguish
And the dreams that have
withered and faded half way...
Oh dawns
I step out on another journey...
In a temple
where fowers bloom...
...as a sacrifice ends...
In this desert dunes...
The heart burns in pain
To keep the flame of survival alive...
In houses perched far away...
I cross this great sea...
I step out on another travel
Chandretta I'll...
Then I'll also take leave
Is this the time to watch TV?
Narayanan'etan, since 50 years
has been living as an expatriate
How did you reach
this desert in the 1960's?
I travelled by Velayudhan's launch
and reached Khorfakkan
Reached Sharhah with the
help of an Arabic friend
We walked from
Sharjah to Dubai
Those days high rise buildings
were just coming up
Many of them you now see
will bear the sweat of my toils too
When we think we are toiling
for the sake of our loved ones...
...we don't feel the fatigue
We feel happy when the money
sent would have fulfilled a need
Most of us are
here only physically
Even my wife is unaware
of what my job is or my salary
Not because I'm ashamed, but
why tell them about hardships?!
When we send Rs 10000
what do our people think?
Out of the Rs 20000 we earn,
we send Rs 10000
But the truth is, we earn 7000
and take a loan to make up the rest
I have never helped anyone
expecting any favor in return
If you expect returns
for what you did
It's not love but
a kind of loan
Have you ever thought that in spite
of struggles you were unfortunate in life?
God bestows on you many
fortunes right from birth
To be born as a son
to a loving mother
To have loving brothers
sisters, their children
A wife who understands you perfectly
A friend who stands by you
throughout your life
When I think of all this
I feel I am very wealthy
Children see us
only as guests
Someone who visits them
occasionally with gifts
When we see other kids
we are reminded of our ovm
But how many kids
remember their parents?
Except few, can we really say that majority
of the immigrants are leading a happy life
Each person lives his life
within his thoughts
How can a person know
whether he is happy or sad?
It's not possible
I've often felt miserable that
I was not a part of my home life
When Chandra'ettan fell from
his two wheeler and was bed ridden
When Nalini couldn't eat
due to a bad throat infection
When Satheesh was
sick with jaundice
I felt miserable that
I couldn't be beside him
I have cried
I don't regret becoming old but...
...agonize that I am no longer healthy
to continue to support my family
Have you ever felt you must
achieve something in life?
If you are the cause for happiness
of people around you
If your parents sleep
at least one night in peace...
...and you are the reason for that
That is achievement
A person's success in life is based on
how much he has been of use to others
I was the reason my family
was brought back from poverty
I redeemed loans
got my sisters married...
...got my brother a means
for livelihood
Considering all this, have I not
accomplished a lot in life?
Successful man!
Narayanan'etan's replies tells us
he considers himself...
...a highly successful person
Nowtell us, are there
any more desires left in life?
If ever I am born again, I want
to be born again as Narayanan..
...to the same parents,
as brother to the same siblings As Nalini's
husband and father to my children
As friend to Moideen
and to the others
I wrant to be born once again...
that's all
To Lives that went dovm the Ocean's depths
in voyages for sustenance