The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”
– Alfred North Whitehead
All through my journey there have been several mentors, confidants, colleagues, and superiors who guided me on the right path to happiness and success. I wish to acknowledge their contribution and thank them for their inspiration.
Primary and Secondary School
Teachers who fostered the competitive spirit and patiently kept me on the right track, especially through trying times.
1965: Primary School
I.M. Pathan Sir (Class teacher from Std. 4 to 7 Div. A)
His relentless efforts and inspiration ensured that I was aptly moulded to face the challenges successfully.
Prahlad Iccharam Patil Sir (Class Teacher of Div. B)
He instilled competitive spirit. Which lead to having a genuine competitor, inspirer and a friend for life-Bapu Patil.
1971: New English School Shendurni
Santosh Pundalik Patil Sir (Drawing Teacher): Nurtured drawing skills and encouraged the inner potentials.
E.P. Choudhari Sir (Class Teacher Std. 8th Div. E)
B.S. Jadhav Sir (Class Teacher Std.9 to 11-Div. D)
B.B. Patil Sir (English & NCC Teacher)
US Gujar Sir (Civil & Vocational Guidance Teacher): He inspired to go for a career in art/drawing and opened new avenue called JJ Institute in Mumbai.
School mates, who have been my moral support throughout and even today…
Gulab Kabra (Late), Satish Jain, Santosh Suryawanshi, Bapu Patil, Datta Bhamere, Sudhakar Shinkar, Prakash Thakur, Sarala Jain, Pushpa Jain, Indu Jain and Rekha Patil.
Transitional Times...
1975: Sir J.J Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai
Teachers who instilled creative spirit and paved the way to a distinctive career, through motivation and career guidance.
Prof. D.Y. Acharekar (Late) : Learning of complex 2D subject made easy and supported in early years at JJ.
Prof. Yande (Late) : Inspired to look at things differently to create out of box ideas.
Prof. V.V. Sathey (Late) : His introduction to Clarion Advertising for summer job was an eye opener to know what future holds as a career in advertising. It was a turning point in life of Bapu & me.
Prof. V.S. Nibre (Late) : Motivated and supported in every way to learn photography and processes.
Vishwas Yande Sir
Sathey Sir
Nibre Sir
Workplace mentors and colleagues
Opportunity, motivation, and challenge. When the three combine effectively, you have a potent mix for success.
1979 Da’Cunha Associates
Sylvestor Da’Cunha: Managing Director, Da’Cunha Advertising
He laid a path into Advertising world by hiring me straight away during 1979 annual exhibition at JJ, without even going through my portfolio or certificates.
Bharat Dabholkar: A creative genius who sparked off creativity in everyone around.
Sylvester Da’Cunha
Bharat Dabholkar
1980 Lintas: India
Madhu Gadkari (Late): My stepping stone into Lintas.
B.V. Patil : True inspirer to instil the realisation of ‘I CAN”. My Guru, mentor and ever-guiding source…even today!
B.V. Patil- The bond from Lintas days and continues...
Alyque Padmsee
Usha Bhandarkar
Alyque Padmsee
Usha Bhandarkar
Alyque Padmsee : Privileged to be in Lintas, during his era. He inspired, guided and motivated every team member.
Usha Bhandarkar : Instilled core concepts of strategy, planning, ideation, film making, pre/postproduction, events & conferences, and people to people interaction.
Kiran Khalap
BR Sharan
Kiran Khalap : A creative genius with highly successful advertising career. Few creative produced in our association in early years at Lintas; even today ‘The words speak thousand pictures’.
BR Sharan : A true friend and a companion who taught me various aspects of successful creative communication.
Beyond Borders
Sheikh Saud Bahwan (Chairman, Saud Bahwan Group)
A visionary, humble, and a caring person who created a huge business empire and a vast team of dedicated people.
Mehli Irani (Personal Secretary to the Chairman):
Amazing persistence of achieving desired results by hands-on co-ordination with principles, business partners and senior staff.
R.M. Parakh
Ashok Pande
R.M. Parakh: Financial Advisor
Ashok Pande: Marketing Director
Pravin Bhargava: Advertising Manager
A friend and brotherly Boss. He was the key reason for my decision of relocating to Muscat. Great motivator who had the knack to identify and promote individual strengths by creating right opportunities.
Pravin Bhargava
Partners in Success
The contribution of everyone mentioned herewith has helped me evolve into a full-fledged advertising professional.
Khalid Mohammed Al-Said (KMA Productions)
In 1993, no video facilities existed except Halley Studio at Al Amerat, Muscat or in Dubai.
Khalid had just started his set up ‘KMA’ production. Our association began with making 30 Sec. basic Classified TV Commercials from static images and prospered to full-fledged video filming, editing of TV commercials and films for product launches, motor shows and many more.
Riyadh Zadjali (Model Co-Ordinator)
In those days, local people were reluctant to appear as models in ads since it was considered below their dignity. For the first time ever, male models were featured in an ad for Good Year Tyres. Riyadh was the reliable source to provide male-female models and as such he set up his own modelling agency.
Riyadh Zadjali (Model Co-Ordinator)
In those days, local people were reluctant to appear as models in ads since it was considered below their dignity. For the first time ever, male models were featured in an ad for Good Year Tyres. Riyadh was the reliable source to provide male-female models and as such he set up his own modelling agency.
Hemant Shanbhag (Photographer) A friend and a freelancing photographer who was very much a part of our team.
Zubair Shekh (Photographer) Several major campaigns featured model-photographs shot by him.
Said Al Harthy (Photographer)
The emotions captured in his photos enabled us to create outstanding campaigns.
Photography assignment with him for the entire 1998 Toyota Vehicle range brought back the memories of photography sessions with Vilas Bhende – a renowned photographer who used SINAR camera with multi-lighting for a range of Detergents, Personal Products, Leather Goods of Hindustan Lever Export Catalogue – and achieved exceptional results.
Said Al Harthy delivered world-class results to complement a brand like Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan.
Salah Al Zadjali (Singer, Musician)
The creation of ‘Toyota Obsess’ jingle was a landmark achievement and highly appreciated not only within the SBG Group but became favourite of people of Oman. Our business association turned into bond of friendship of respect and still continues.
Salah Al Zadjali (Singer, Musician)
The creation of ‘Toyota Obsess’ jingle was a landmark achievement and highly appreciated not only within the SBG Group but became favourite of people of Oman. Our business association turned into bond of friendship of respect and still continues.
KT Babu (Businessman)
A true gentleman who made a humble beginning through his small screen-printing setup.
He grew exponentially to establish huge businesses in Muscat, Dubai, and India.
All through this remarkable journey he remains a simple and humble person.
Chandran (Fabrication Set-up)
All-in-one fabrication support house for any type of work, right from a small name-plate to displays, exhibitions with dedication and smile. More than a supplier, Chandran was like a friend in every need.
Shankar (Pint-Production Expert)
Print-technology expertise of Shankar, helped to achieve unbelievable result of spot colour to almost a 4-colour effect. His support on pre-press process, always assured excellent quality results.
Shailesh Mendon (Film Editor)
Talented, dedicated and open minded. His editing skills helped to create many outstanding commercials, product launch films, film for SBG HR Department. The film created on Renaissance Day of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, was highly appreciated.
Prakash-Imagine Technologies:
A friendship that transformed into a mutually trustworthy business relationship. The doors to his production unit were open to me at any given time; thus enabling me to meet critical deadlines.
My Inspirations!
I am most grateful to the God for giving me such a lovely family.
They have been my on-going source of inspiration and pushed me to do more and better.
And off course, the strong support of my wife all along in those ups and downs of life, which made sailing easy through every difficult situation.
