Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty: The beauty of Eid, what my mother made me celebrate, will never go away from my memory

Resul Pookutty, the Oscar-winning sound designer, has always had a deep connection with the emotions and memories that shape his art. For him, festivals like Eid are not just about rituals but about the essence of togetherness, the warmth of family, and the sensory experiences that linger for a lifetime. In a heartfelt reflection, he recalls how his mother ensured that Eid was a celebration of joy, inclusivity, and love—an experience that has stayed with him beyond the passage of time. As someone who captures soundscapes with remarkable depth, Pookutty understands that the echoes of childhood festivities are much like the sounds he crafts—timeless and evocative.
Resul, how are you celebrating Eid ?
I’m at home. I’m in Mumbai celebrating a quiet Eid with my family. My son, who is studying away, has joined me for Eid; he makes my Eid special today.
Do you still feel the same spirit of oneness that Eid used to be earlier?
Yes, the same spirit of togetherness and brotherhood is still there, and I make it a point to keep it that way. There are certain beautiful precedents my mother has taught us, and I strive to maintain her guidelines and make it happen.
So are you in a celebratory mood?
Personally speaking, 2023 and 2024 have been very trying for me. My kindest friends and their prayers helped me pull through it. For me, Eid is a reminder of all those prayers that came from unknown quarters and the strength it gave me. I’m humbled and grateful.
Your most precious Eid memories?
I remember during my childhood, when there was no alarm clock, my mother woke us up hearing the sound of a meter-gauge train running away in the distance. During Roza we children would wait the whole day to eat all the mouthwatering food my mother made for Roza break. Roza was about being able to eat that zabardast food, nothing else.
Sounds like a lot of fun?
During Eid, the previous day, me and my siblings would make rice gourd (we had to grind it with our hands in the manual grinder). And on Eid day my mother would invite all our neighbors from different religions and walks of life and feed them breakfast. She made it a point that we participate in it. It was like a wedding and the happiest moments of feeding all the neighbors with tasty food. The beauty of Eid, what my mother made me celebrate, will never go away from my memory. At home in Kerala, we still do this.
Your message on Eid?
Happy Eid to all. Compassion and brotherhood are the etiquette of every religion. Let’s embrace it and celebrate it.