Adline Ravikant

Adline Ravikant:  I worked with Ravikant for a story time in 2002 and each of his antics is still etched on the mind. He is a walking disaster and a very definition of a jerk. Owner of a small regional agency that released dealer panel advertisements for major brands or those erratic appointment advertisements, Ravikant is rich beyond his competence. Adline Advertising is one of the oldest agencies in the city and started by his father. That could not compete with even later entrants like R K Swamy or even Fountainhead can be wholly ascribed to the sons’ ineptness.

Ravikant was stocky built, fair Brahmin complexion, standing little over 6 feet, sturdy, and a pronounced nose. His mouth was his biggest handicap; prone to shout over trivials and hyperactive as to be ridiculous. He was so distrustful of his employees that he would ask them to call from the client’s landline to verify whether they had in fact gone there. Ravikant’s failing was that he was so petty that he tried to squeeze every advantage but always losing the bigger picture.

A man obsessed with pennies can never get the pounds.  

Ravikant was a practicing Brahmin and which meant that he did his monthly “tharpanams” and on those days he would be pompously late. I can recall one incident when he drove us – Peter, another executive and me- in his Esteem for a client meeting. As a time-filler, he said,” I know the Mahesh of Royapettah Chit Fund and how he swindled crores of rupees from gullible public. He declared bankruptcy and yet moves around in his Mercedes and still residing in his posh bungalow in Chamiers Road”. Peter would whisper into my ear,” He is envious and if he had a similar opportunity would even be a bigger crook. All these Brahmin bastards are such criminals”. Bang-on for the observation of Ravikant and on the community, I have not yet given up hope.  

I had to accompany him on a train to Mumbai for a client meeting and I made no pretense of any servitude by seating at least 4 cabins away. On return, we were took a midnight Air India flight – those are the cheapest, by the way – and here too I sat on the other end of the craft and on disembarking ran as fast to the auto stand as possible and avoid his attention. Ravikant generates that kind of cussedness with this miserly ways. Even on the midnight haul, he ordered for a dinner when almost everyone was content with a Frooti.  

His hyperactivity meant he would be running here and there for no apparent reason or fiddling the car-belt when seated or ask for some inconsequential file. The moment he comes to the cabin like a whirlwind, the very air would get animated. Ravikant to his credit slugged very hard into the nights but just did not seem to grab the business opportunities. Adline was empanelled to public sector companies – Indian Railway, or ONGC, or LIC- and those businesses came with a lot of greasing and lobby. For once he was perspicuous,” I go to an official’s home and from the look of it know whether he is corruptible or not. Even from the furniture or flooring or even curtains, the corrupt man leaves his mark”.  

The unfortunate thing about this joker was that even the family too had given up on him; never took us seriously as he rattled away. His younger brother Mr.Chandramouli looked after the Mumbai branch and unlike the Chaplainesque brother was savvy in his dealings; his censures were one-liners and even Ravikant had to listen. I chanced upon him after 7 years at Thiruvanmiyur temple and we were so close that for any evasive action. I offered my hand and said,” Hello, do you remember me?” Ravikant said without warmth,” Who can forget you?” I ruminated as to what he could have become had he only been a little normal.

Verdict: Tamas

Lesson to be learnt: Keep peace with such characters even when there is a tendency to ridicule.