Let's Talk Life.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Life is all about challenges…but as they say when all doors close….there is one window always open and this is where you are sure about the divine presence that governs you and has got me so far , says Prasad Iyer, Sr. Account Director (MX Advertising) and Professor ( Media Planning at KCCMS)

He lives life to its fullest, he is an opinion leader, he is smart, he has his own style, he is professional but at the same time has the best sense of humour. He is that kind of a personality who is loved by all his students and even the CEO’s of big companies. I have been his student during my post graduation and his was the only lecture we all use to wait for. Possessing a knack of understanding every student, being strict when needed and at the same time partying makes him everybody’s all time favourite. Let’s Talk Life with Sr. Account Director and Professor Prasad Iyer, .where he talks about his career journey from Client Servicing Executive to Sr. Account Director, his teaching experience( Media Planning) and his immense love for life

Kindly tell us something about yourself ?

My early life has not been a life of luxury…its been meeting necessities…which my parents never ever made me realise…despite not having the best of luxuries and conveniences that a child used to yearn for…I have been fortunate enough to have been educated in a convent…St. Francis D’Assisi High School,Borivali…like for every child I too yearned for all the Childhood fancies..celebrating birthdays in class, calling all friends at home for birthday parties ( the children types ), sporting shoes, having the best bites for my tiffin while in class…( jelly cream biscuits..wafers..etc..) all these were hopes that I would want to realise while I would have chocolates that would be distributed in class for someone else’s bday…Yes..those days were full of those childish dreams and I wanted to be a me too with everyone else..when that was not the case in reality…the one thing that I always treasure from my parents from then till now is the element of being grounded…”realise the fact..what can be afforded..what is needed..what is a luxury…” fortunately that’s what has made me what I am today….My parents have always instilled the learning of “Being wise and Humble”. Yes..in life this does not always come up to your favour..but this gives you an identity…My Childhood has been that of immense playing in the outdoor’s…till dusk…it was fun…no inhibitions…no etiquettes…just be yourself with your friends and make the most of your time…As a student in school…I was average in my studies….But was lucky…my parents were not demanding…there was never ever stress or pressure of any kind…to perform..to be the no.1…I consider myself to be very lucky….i had that independence…I will vouch this was the basic foundation for my persona…Till date…I survive on that…

Schooling happened…college started..nervous, that was me.. to step into a class of girls and boys as I was from a boys convent….and it was difficult for me for the 1^st two years as I didn’t even know how to start a conversation with girls and my responses were in pure mono – syllables…as in only when I was spoken too and those were rare occasions…but my saving grace was I was a very average college student in looks and in studies too..so had a limited set of 3-4 friends ( all boys ) who used to hang out only in college….and once lectures were over back home…that was indeed the routine…typical school like…degree was the time when we all opened up and had a big gang of boys and girls ..by then had become comfortable in my conversation with girls too….It was during degree started representing college for Debates and elocution and fortunately got a few accolades for the college too on a inter collegiate level…took up the responsibility of a coordinator for English literary Association….

Completed Graduation…got in to a Multinational as an Accounts trainee ( I am allergic to numbers ) and survived for 2 years that’s when I realised…accounts and finance is not for me….so enrolled for the advertising and communications course in KC while working - as I felt I could relate to communications….this was a tough decision as my career’s two years were already spent on finance…and It already pinched me as a late starter for advertising…but nevertheless…had to do it…post completion of my course….took almost one-and-a half years for me to get a job in an agency as my resume reflected finance…but I could nt avoid it..as I had to show I was working…and I had to be honest…my first job as a client servicing trainee started….and yes that’s when I realised a client servicing job in an agency is thankless….you slog….you run around…you run…errands…you do research…you spend time on libraries digging data..as google was unheard of then or rather unfamiliar…so life as a trainee client servicing is indeed tough…Sunday was a big luxury..tho it used to pass so quickly that u didn’t even realise it as a holiday…
“Life is all about challenges…but as they say when all doors close….there is one window always open and this is where you are sure about the divine presence that governs you and has got me so far…….” ..I firmly believe in the fact…”THIS TOO SHALL PASS It’s all about Sharing, caring and giving.”

What are you currently doing professionally?

Currently am serving as a Senior Account Director of MX Advertising Pvt Ltd..with a career spanning 12 years in advertising…and I believe am still learning, crawling as everday is a new experience with clients..within the agency…within departments….everyday is a challenge…

What made you choose this career?

I realised just a diploma in advertising will not help me further in my career…I realised needed to get into management studies…enrolled with welingkars for masters in marketing management and earned the 3 years degree…life was tough pursuing the management degree and also serving in a agency as a servicing guy..but had to go through that routine…Sundays weren’t spared either….it was work and studies without anytime for yourself..Leave aside family and domestic functions….but the only thing that I could stare at that time was my future in advertising and immediately after completion of the course got into an other agency as an Account manager…

What is an exact role of a Client Servicing Professional?

A client Servicing executive ( CSE ) is the face of the agency for the client…a CSE is as good as the product or product development manager for the client…he/she is the primary interface for the agency and they are the clients representative for the agency..the y need to be completely aware of their brand….their competitors…what next could be suggested…how to be economically viable while suggesting proposals and make those work for the brand…..he/she needs to have info on their finger-tips and they should be good communicators…handle pressure…be sensitive to their clients needs…understand the client…..to become a professional client servicing executive….it should take 3-4 years because you need to get the experience of servicing brands across all categories…

What has this job taught you?

My limited experience in servicing clients have taught me that you should have an open mind and be simple and realistic with the Client…Be honest about deadlines and justify your plans/actions politely..not by being loud or being assertive…understand even the client harbour their own pressure…do not get carried away and talk what cannot be done…..be practical..be realistic…always respect the client coz he knows his brand better ……this is purely my reading and it has helped me survive besides being appreciated from clients….

You are a visiting faculty at K. C. College of Management studies teaching Media Planning.. Talk about that?

Teaching at KC has been a enriching and a insightful experience…such brilliant bundle of talent waiting for their right opportunity….enthusiastic kids..Brimming with ideas…they drive you with energy and you learn from them….as a teacher..i do not believe in reading out from the books….i believe in being practical…giving them current scenarios of clients and the way they work out strategies for their brands….believe more in sharing professional experience and make them mature about what is in store for them and preparing them for their survival in advertising….i believe you cannot act as a teacher when you are dealing with such a age profile….you need to relate to them..they can understand..they know what is right…its being the right guide….that is it….and confession….teaching bright kids is a stress buster….makes me feel light..makes me feel..I am one of them….

You are a balance of a fun loving and dedicated personality, does that help to crack clients?

Yes I am fun loving…and you cannot service your clients if you are that serious kinda guy…you need to be light hearted sensible..Sensitive…it helps and you can cut across serious conversations in a light manner…that is what communication all about

Can people from any Bachelors degree opt to become a Client Servicing executive?

Yes am of the opinion that people from any stream for servicing..They need to have passion for advertising there are many personalities in advertising who come from many different streams…

Challenges that you faced during your journey? How did you overcome them?

Have faced many challenges..many egos…there are times when have been insulted by the clients…have heard a mouthful…also had the experience of coming to the agency and telling we shall no longer be servicing the account from tomorrow…..it fully depends on how you handle the situation and look forward. Advertising teaches you composure..patience…humility..that too while you are in servicing…be positive and move on is the mantra here….

· Advantages of choosing your career?

Advertising also has its rewards……international trips..Parties…where you let yourself down…have fun…..

Apart from your job, what do you do in your past time?

My pastime is country songs, hip hop, ghazals and Illaiyaraja and Rahman classics. I do non fiction….For a change there is one fiction which I have read thrice and that is Mario Puzo’s the God father……truly inspiring….

What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?

My Nothing is impossible moment was when I had to present my agency as a pitch in 5 minutes over a concall and that was the deciding factor of bagging that account..and delighted that I was the account came to us….over a concall…just by letting your work to speak for you and assuring the client of the confidence. The point here is pure conviction…

Lastly what advice would you give to the aspiring Client Servicing executives who want to make their mark in the field?

My only advise to aspiring client servicing people…”Be yourself…Accept what cannot be done..do not over commit and under deliver..Rather be honest…Do not try to fake or put on..Simplicity in behaviour and communication is the key…” this is purely my reading and it has worked so far for me.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Bringing my ideas alive, giving them a physical form, being able to create something beautiful and unique gives me a high, says Madhurie Pandit, Home Decor Artist.

She is talented; she is independent with respect to her thoughts and ideas, she a perfect example of a modern woman who is well connected to her roots and a creator of some extraordinarily beautiful artwork. Let’s Talk Life with home decor artist Madhurie Pandit, where she talks about her journey of her creative life, love for her artwork and her venture Maddie's Fingers, The Arty Ones.

Kindly tell us something about yourself?

I am a Marathi Mulgi from Mumbai. Qualified to be a Software engineer, but artist by choice. That’s me Madhurie Pandit :D

My educational qualification reads PG in E-Business from Welingkars, B.Sc (Chemistry) from Bhavan’s College, Andheri and Software Engineer from Aptech... Fancy, isn't it? But this journey wasn’t so easy and probably that’s what made it interesting.

I was born in a conservative Maharashtrian familly. My father was very keen on me studying in Marathi Medium School. Early years of my childhood were spent in Girgaum studying at Chikistak Samuh Shirolkar High School. My father was alumni of this school. I finished my schooling from VWA High School, Andheri. Then I went on to study BSc (Chemistry) from Bhavan’s College, Andheri.

I loved drawing / sketching and always was someone people would come to, to complete their botany / zoology journals in college. I would gladly do it but used to ensure that someone with better handwriting than mine, wrote my physics and chemistry journals, because I never found time for it. J

During college days, I also did my Higher Diploma in Software Engineering from Aptech. Being a vernacular medium student, I found it extremely difficult to cope up with complex spellings etc. initially. So unlike all my classmates who read Novels apart from study books, I was reading cartoon comics with simple English to improve my vocabulary. I used to keep English dictionary handy to understand correct spellings and meanings of complex words. Later, I graduated to reading news papers and fashion magazines.

Slowly but surely I was getting there.. It was a lot of hard work but I m glad I never gave up. In 2013, I passed out my PGDBA (E-Business) with flying colours.

My father was very good at drawing. My early memories of making Diwali Rangolis with him laid the foundation of my arty side. I got my drawing / sketching genes from him.

I’m passionate about art. Basically, a self taught artist who discovered different style of making Warli art and now I am experimenting with pencil / graphite / charcoal sketches and stippling. Of late, I am also trying my hand at poster / acrylic / oil colours.

What are you currently doing professionally

I’m an entrepreneur, my own boss. I have converted my passion for art and love for Warli art into a small venture which makes Warli home décor products. You can see my work on

www.facebook.com/maddiesfigerstheartyones

What made you choose this career?

I have always hated office politics and people who enjoy playing it. It’s like a pig fight, you can’t get out of it without getting dirty. So after I gave up my job for doing PGDBA (E-Business) from Welingkars, I wanted to be my own boss. That’s how Maddie’s Fingers, The Arty Ones was born.

What is art for you?

For me art is a form of expression. Art is like a friend who brings out the best in me. It is my getaway from stress. I can sketch for hours together without having the need to talk anyone. It brings a lot of inner peace.

Talk about Maddie's Fingers, The Arty Ones?

It was a love at first site with Warli Art. Needless to say, I wanted to have this art in every nook and corner of my home. But when I went shopping, there were hardly any options. So I decided to make my own home décor products. I started making colourful Warli patterns and since then there has been no looking back. Created a brand, Maddie's Fingers, The Arty Ones. I opened my first online store on www.craftsvilla.com/maddiesfingerstheartyones. People loved my work and personal assignments started coming in from friends. Started getting invites from other online portals to open shops on their websites and purchase requests from retailers from other cities.

You make beautiful handmade articles for Home Decor, what inspires you the most?

Bringing my ideas alive, giving them a physical form, being able to create something beautiful and unique gives me a high and that is my inspiration.

Did you take any special guidance/ coaching for it?

Not really, it has been DIY all the time. Remember, I told you I got arty genes from my father?? :P

Apart from this, what do you do in your past time?

I love to sketch. Have been trying my hand at pencil and charcoal sketches. Learning new techniques of shading… Stippling is my all time favorite, it needs a lot of patience which is definitely not my strong point J but it yeah, I m loving it.

I am most happy when I m shooting… iPhone 4S is my weapon. Oops, did I sound like a goon?? Hehehe, I meant Photography… J I have an eye for detail. Nature photography is my favorite and my Instagram account will vouch for it. Besides that I also do my own product photography.

Advantages of choosing your career?

I am my own boss, no politics, no blame games, flexible working hours, what more can one ask for?? But at times I do miss corporate life.

How do you promote your designs/ art?

I promote my art majorly on social media. Apart from that I have lovely friends who keep liking and sharing my work. Nothing like word of mouth publicity, isn't it?? This is where my work is listed.

Facebook : www.facebook.com/maddiesfingerstheartyone

Instagram : http://instagram.com/mads73

Pinterest : http://www.pinterest.com/MFTAO/

The Future of Design (TFOD) : http://www.tfod.in/Profile-maddiedpandit

How much time does it take to create a piece?

It varies from product to product depending on post designing work. A simple yet detailed Warli bookmark can be designed in an hour and complex wall art can take long. It all depends on the concept and design. And yeah, if I don’t get desired results, I start from the scratch :)

Do you have a team or are you the captain of the ship?

Currently, I am the captain of my ship, be it product designing, art work, post processing, marketing on social media… I do it all.

Challenges that you faced during your journey? How did you overcome them?

Oh, loads of them… searching vendors for post processing my design was the biggest challenge of all. Getting Customized packaging was another task. It took me a while to speak to my contacts and get their help for sample making. Product and packaging storage is another challenge but then applying just-in-time principle helps. Logistic partner was a big issue earlier; breakage was a regular affair which meant losing customer confidence and more efforts for the same income. But now I have signed up with Courier Company who are masters of E-commerce. Life is much easier now.

How many years does it take for one to be a professional in this field?

Art is a matter of heart. Every artist has his/her own style. If your art form is appealing then things become easy. But yeah, practice makes one perfect.

What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?

My friend Gina came up with the idea of personalized gifts for her buddies. She wanted something with Warli art but it had to be funky and witty. Now that was something I had never done earlier. It was sort of a fusion. I spent a few sleepless nights and Eureka moments to conceptualize a theme. She gave me names and one trait which describe her friends the best. After loads of late night communication on Whatsapp and exchanging ideas I was ready with final 17 designs. I got desktop standees made, gift wrapped and sent them to her. Her friends loved their personalized gifts. It was a super proud moment for me and Gina who had blindly trusted my designing ability. That was the day I started writing impossible as i-am-possible. :)

Lastly what advice would you give to the aspiring artists who want to make their mark in the field?

I am yet to reach a level where I can give advise to aspiring artists but all I can say is, YOU CAN, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN..

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Saturday, October 4, 2014

Musicians should keep practicing, keep listening, keep entertaining the audience and carry forward this great art by giving good music to the world, says Surel Ingale-Young Music Director

He is calm, he is focused, music has always been his passion since birth. Belonging from a music family with his father (Milind Ingale) being a renowned composer and singer, he chose to create a mark on his own. After getting recognition and awards as a debutant music director for a Marathi film, he is motivated to achieve greater heights. Let's Talk Life with young music director Surel Ingale, where he talks about his family, passion for music , his first film , awards, and his newly discovered love for photography.

Kindly tell us something about yourself?

I am currently studying BMM in KC college, I am in my last year now. I studied Arts in St.Xaviers college after passing out from school. I LOVE music, films, reading books, eating at different places, photography (new found love). I don’t like cheesy bollywood movies and songs :p I don’t like these item songs which all sound the same and are composed in the same 3 chords.

What are you currently doing professionally?

I am still a student so I am not doing anything professionally right now. But I do compose for short films as and when I get offers. Also I teach piano and keyboard privately and in “Music and Soul Academy” at Vile Parle. I have also interned as an assistant sound engineer at Yashraj Films and wish to study sound engineering further after graduation.

What made you choose this career?

As I am still studying, I have still not taken up any career. I wish to study further and then pursue a career. I plan and wish to pursue music production and sound engineering as my career in the near future.

You have been playing piano since the age of 8, what motivated you to be a music director at such a young age?

Although I started learning piano at the age of 8 I had never really planned to become a composer. I first started taking piano lessons from Mr.Mandar Parkhi who is my first piano teacher. My dad sent me to his place because he wanted me to learn some musical instrument and also I had shown interest in learning music since childhood. Gradually as I started understanding the basics of music I started developing interest in composing. But I accidentally got into composing professionally when I composed my first song for the Marathi film “Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta”. There is a very funny story of how I got to compose for that film.

Having a legacy of music, has it helped you in any ways to make a mark in the field?

I am the 6^th generation in my family who is in the field of music so that puts a great deal of responsibility on me to continue this tradition. My father or even my grandfather never forced me to take up music. My father always encouraged me to do whatever I felt like doing. But as I said music runs in my genes so it was bound to come up some day and I am happy that I am a part of this wonderful artistry. Having a legacy of music has definitely helped in a way that I can always take inspiration and learn from the music and musical knowledge that my family members have. If ever I have any kind of doubts or if I want suggestions while making music I can always ask my dad or grandfather. So in a way it is definitely a plus for me to have a musical background but also I would never use these contacts to get work in the industry. Whatever work I get I wish to get in on the strength of my own talent and hard work.

Your father Mr. Milind Ingale himself is a versatile singer and composer? Is he your inspiration?

Yes of course the biggest inspiration in my life would be my dad. I have been listening to him singing and composing since the day I was born. What can be better than a professional singer singing lullabies to you every day while sleeping! And also I am largely influenced by his composing style and you can see that in the music which I compose. He always tells me to not let go of the melody whichever genre of music you are making. In fact the word melody is carved on his harmonium also.

Talk about your first movie as an independent Music Director?

As I said there is a story to how I got the role of composing music for the film “Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Asta”. The director of the movie Mrs. Mrinal Kulkarni who is a very well known actress in the Marathi and Hindi film and TV industry had first contacted my father to compose the music for her film which was her first film as a director. There were 2 songs in the movie and both were very situational. One was a romantic song and the other one was a very deep sad song. So my father had finished recording the first song which was the romantic song and he was working on the second song. So one day I saw the sheet of lyrics of the 2^nd song lying on my piano and I just tried to compose the first few lines of the song just for timepass because I had no other work to do that time. And a few days back my father had told me about this song being very difficult to compose as the lyrics were a bit complicated and not the usual lovey-dovey types. So I made my dad listen to the few lines which I had composed and he liked it very much and told me record it. By that time even he had composed a different tune for the same song but he personally liked my version better. So when he met Mrs. Mrinal Kulkarni the director of the movie he made her listen to both the versions and initially he did not disclose to her that one of them was composed by me. After she was done listening he asked her which one did she like better and she said she liked the second one which was the one I had composed and then he told her that the song was in fact composed by me and not him. So that’s how I got my first break and first ever song for which I got 2 awards this year in the “Best Debut Music Director” category. One was the “Chitrapadarpan Puraskar” and other one was “Sanskriti Kaladarpan awards”.

You are currently pursuing your BMM , how do you manage composing and studies?

Currently I am not working on a lot of musical projects as I am concentrating on studies. Also as I said I have not yet accepted music composing as a full time career as I wish to study further and then decide what career suits me the best. Also BMM is a very chilled out course and it always gives you that time which is needed to do any kind of professional work outside of bmm. And the work that we do outside is usually related to our course of study.

Apart from Music , what do you do in your past time ?

Apart from music I love doing a lot of things ! I am a huge movie buff and I watch 1 movie almost everyday. I also have a liking towards photography and thanks to my dad for an awesome birthday gift which he gave me last year, a professional DSLR so that I could pursue this hobby . I love to hangout with my friends and go for small holidays on weekends like we recently went to Pune which is like my second home now. I am also a big foodie and I love trying out new places to eat and especially sea-food restaurants.

Perks of choosing your career?

The best part of being a musician like any other creative field is being able to earn your living by doing what you love to do the most. Also unlike an office job here you don’t have any fixed working hours and you are not working under anyone’s pressure. But I think in today’s world being in the music field has more challenges than advantages due to the rising competition in this field. There are too many people trying to make their mark in the industry and trying to reach out to the audience. There is a constant pressure of failure and there is extreme lack of stability. An artist can earn huge amounts of money in one month but he can be sitting at home without any work in the next month. There is no stability or assurance of work. Sometimes even hard work doesn’t pay as many artists are fooled by record labels and event organizers with regards to payment of money. So in the end you have to keep in mind all these things before taking up music as a full time job.

Challenges that you faced during your journey? How did you overcome them?

I think I am still in that phase where I have to face many more challenges in life but I will tell you some of the challenges which I faced while composing for my first film. Being the youngest person in the entire group of musicians who worked with me was pretty challenging. You are always afraid of telling your opinions or making decisions in front of senior musicians. The singer who sang my song Mr. Ravindra Sathe is a very senior person in the industry so at first I was scared as to whether he would like my song or not and how he will react to it. But in the end he liked the song very much and made me comfortable during the recording by giving me the freedom to tell him what was exactly needed for the song. Also there was this pressure of working under such a big banner and anticipating whether people would like the song or not. But the biggest fear I faced was something which is not related to music at all. I was told that during the recording and during the music launch and film promotions I would have to talk to the media and give them interviews. And if you know me I am a very shy person and I am shit scared to talk in public or come in front of the camera. My mom helped me the most to overcome this fear. Being a journalist by profession she knows how a question should be answered and eventually I got over that fear after a few interviews.

What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?

I think my nothing is impossible moment was when I came to know to know that the director had actually liked my song and my song was going to get featured in a movie.

Lastly what advice would you give to the aspiring Music directors who want to make their mark in the field?

I don’t think I have reached a stage where I can advise other music directors but I think we all musicians should keep practicing, keep listening , keep entertaining our

audience and carry forward this great art by giving good music to the world.

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