MUMBAI: Creative Producer and senior television professional Amala Thomas, who was the very epitome of professionalism all her life, is no more.
The creative genius passed away on 17 March 2017 of a brief illness quite suddenly as she was very active. Amala is survived by her mother, sisters and brother, and the large number of friends whose lives she impacted in different ways, and the teams at all the production houses that she worked with and led so ably.
Amala was the Business Head for Television at NeelaTelefilms until her untimely demise.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Amala for the past twenty years. A thorough professional, it was her core value as a wonderful human being that made her stand apart. As the Business Head for television at Neela Telefilms, she led the team by example. Amala was extremely committed to her work. Once she took over a responsibility, I could rest assured that it would be done to perfection – she was someone I could trust without a doubt. Amala has left an indelible mark on all those of us whose lives she touched.God Bless her soul. R.I.P”, said her colleague Asit Modi of Neela Telefilms.
A post-graduate in Mass Communications from the University of Hyderabad, Amala had more than 20 years of experience in both the creative and technical aspects of broadcast television. She worked as a Senior Manager with broadcaster Sony Entertainment Television & subsequently as a Producer and Business Head with production companies such as Hats Off Productions, Show M and Shashi Sumeet Productions. She was known to adhere to exacting standards as a Producer and was a successful and popular team leader.
“Amala represented everything good about our television industry. Great ethics, intense commitment and fair practice. She was a beacon of light in situations that needed clarity. Her gentle yet strong demeanour made her a much loved colleague and loyal friend. I miss her terribly,” said Ravina Raj Kohli.
Amala was also a tremendous peoples’ person. She believed in the potential of her team members and helped them grow in their jobs even as she inculcated in them the high values that everyone aspires for.
A few years ago, Amala was responsible for bringing a unique educational programme called ‘Genius Mind Technology’ to India and worked hard for it to be adopted across schools here, hoping that it would help transform the lives of all school going children. She was also a guest lecturer at the University of Bubhaneshwar, Odisha.
A sample of her work abilities and relationships in the industry is available in the recommendations on her LinkedIn Profile.
Some of which are reproduced here: “Amala is an extremely good communicator and coordinator, qualities particularly useful for TV and Movie production. She is time conscious and result oriented.Most importantly she is very trustworthy and sensitive.” – Kunal Dasgupta.
“Amala Is an energetic television programmer and creative director. She has varied and unique ideas and works diligently at executing them. She brought calm, order and process to the business. She is an asset to any organisation she works for.” – Sunil Lulla.
“Amala is a good problem shooter and has the knack to extract the best from the team. She inculcated good work ethics among teams and her ability to guide and lead teams in an organized manner is commendable. She had good working relationships with the people she interacted with that naturally got her the respect she deserved.” – J D Majethia.
“For most of us, who have reported to her across the many responsible portfolios she has held, she was always the quintessential “GO-TO person” for just about everything. I have imbibed – a great deal of professionalism, commitment, punctuality and a ‘never say die’ attitude from her!” – Mohit Bakshi.
As those who know her remember her at her memorial meeting, their thoughts go back to the wonderful person that she was. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.
