Desmond Rimakisan:
A documentary SCRIPT
Opening Scene
Music fades in.
Narrator:
Nestled in the vibrant hills of Northeast India, where tradition and aspiration collide, begins the
journey of Desmond Rimakisan—a musician, mentor, and survivor of changing tides. This is the story
of a man whose life is defined by melody, struggle, and resilience.[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond (voice-over)
Desmond:
Talking about my music, I started at a very, very young age when I was in school, but back then we
had no big platforms—just small ones, school weeks. I was a little shy, but my spirit was restless.
[amazonaws]
Narrator
Though the stage was humble, Desmond’s ambitions grew. College competitions and city festivals
awakened his dreams, gifting him his first prizes and a new sense of purpose.[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond
Desmond:
I remember in 1988, there were so many singing competitions—not just in college, but in the city, in
my village. We participated everywhere. My first inter-solo singing competition—I won first prize.
Another competition at State Central Library—I won third. I remember the 300-rupee third prize; it felt
heavy in my hands, my first real accomplishment.[amazonaws]
Narrator
Yet, the music industry was less forgiving than the applause. There was no internet, no social media
—only magazines, local radio, and pure luck. Desmond recalls the era of cassettes, the struggle of
expensive CDs, and the heartbreak of piracy.[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond
Desmond:
Selling cassettes was popular—4,000 copies in two weeks was normal. But then CDs came, better
sound, but more expensive. It was hard to switch, and soon piracy came. People ripped our albums;
we couldn’t sell anymore. The market declined. We stopped making albums. It was heartbreaking.
[amazonaws]
Narrator
His music thrived instead on the energy of live performances and festival stages. Rain, mud, broken
equipment, and endless roadblocks only fueled his perseverance.[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond
Desmond:
We performed in fests; we had to carry the speakers ourselves, set them up, fix them. Sometimes,
only two of four speakers would work. But I’m thankful for these struggles—they taught us, and now
we share these experiences with the younger generation.[amazonaws]
Narrator
Today’s artists face new digital battles—streaming, social media marketing, competition for viral fame.
Desmond marvels at, and sometimes mourns, these changes.[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond
Desmond:
Young musicians today struggle differently. They have internet, MGMP, social media—but getting
millions of views, constant releases, staying relevant, it’s a new kind of fight. We only knew how to
produce music, not how to market it.[amazonaws]
Narrator
For Desmond, versatility and continuous learning are keys to survival and artistry. His legacy is a
message to every young performer: know your craft, remember your roots, and never stop growing.
[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond
Desmond:
Don’t just focus on the audio, but master marketing and production. Collaborate. Remember your
roots. If you have talent for English music, go ahead; in fact, strive for what helps you and your future.
It’s about collaboration, about producing beautiful music together.[amazonaws]
Narrator
Today, Desmond invests in the future—mentoring and teaching at his small village music school,
launching new projects, and encouraging the next generation to dream and study music.[amazonaws]
Interview - Desmond
Desmond:
I have a small music school in my village. We’re starting a piano class in June. However small the
effort, it’s my way of giving back. I encourage the young to study music; it widens their horizons.
Opportunities open up when you learn.[amazonaws]
Narrator
Desmond’s journey is unfinished, an anthem dedicated to those who believe, aspire, and create
against all odds—reminding us that music is more than sound; it’s a journey through life, struggle,
and joy.[amazonaws]
Closing Scene
Music swells.
Desmond:
If I’m still able to create, then you can too. It’s not just about making money or getting recognition. It’s
about loving your craft, experimenting, inspiring. Thank you for listening.