06-15-2009, 03:53 PM
<b>Lord Krishna is still all-time favourite on TV, movies</b>
By Radhika Bhirani
radhika.b@ians.in
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entert..._100202978.html
June 10th, 2009-
New Delhi, June 10 (IANS) Lord Krishna is one of the most popular Hindu gods who is portrayed in multiple images as the naughty child, divine lover and eternal philosopher. And television producers and filmmakers are cashing in on his aura to woo audiences.
While TV shows like âJai Shri Krishnaâ on Colors and Nickâs latest animated show âLittle Krishnaâ have been entertaining viewers, the big screen has also been abuzz with animated movies like âBal Krishnaâ and âKrishna: Aayo Natkhat Nandlalâ in recent times.
Prem Sagar of Sagar Arts, which has been popular for producing mythological shows like âRamayanâ and âShri Krishnaâ, says it is the âuniversalityâ and âcompletenessâ of Krishnaâs character that makes for interesting storytelling.
âIt is not like only Krishna is the most popular mythological character being shown on TV. There are shows on other gods like Shani, Sai Baba and Maa Durga as well. But what makes Krishna stand out is the fact that he is complete in all aspects,â Sagar told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.
âHe has so many different shades to his character - romance, bravery, diplomacy, he was cunning, but positivelyâ¦He is an epitome of completeness,â he added.
Krishna is equally loved by devotees for his mischievous escapades like stealing butter and curds as a child, his romantic interludes with Radha and his sacred message of the âGitaâ to Arjuna on the battlefield.
Such a diverse nature in one person is what interests viewers about Krishna, says Nina Elavia Jaipuria, senior vice president and general manager of Nick India.
âKrishna is a prankster, a superhero, a lover, a musician - all captured into one and has immense universal appeal,â Jaipuria told IANS.
Lord Krishna was introduced on TV in 1987 with B.R. Chopraâs mega <b>mythological</b> <!--emo&:blink:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' /><!--endemo--> show âMahabharataâ and seven years later came Ramanand Sagarâs âShri Krishnaâ that was completely dedicated to the blue god.
People have since then endeared him as a character despite the flurry of âsaas-bahu sagas and reality shows that have seeped into the Indian television scenario.
Sagar says that people of âevery age, sex, society and income group identify with Krishnaâ and that is what has made him stay an on-screen favourite over the years.
According to Ashish S.K., the brain behind âLittle Krishnaâ on Nick, it is a wise idea to use mythological stories in an engaging and entertaining manner.
âIndian mythology has a lot of stories to offer. Many times people ask us why we make animation movies based on mythology only, but then we ask why not?
âWhen the animation industry was in its nascent stage abroad, even they made films on their popular folklores like âAlice in Wonderlandâ and âSnow Whiteâ - but that was because they didnât have any such mythological stories to tell.
âWhen we have these stories, why not take them to a wider audience through animation,â said Ashish, who is CEO of BIG Animation, a subsidiary of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG).
Sagar, who has been in the business of producing and conceptualising mythological shows for decades, feels the creation of such programmes helps bring kids and new generations closer to our culture.
(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in)
By Radhika Bhirani
radhika.b@ians.in
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entert..._100202978.html
June 10th, 2009-
New Delhi, June 10 (IANS) Lord Krishna is one of the most popular Hindu gods who is portrayed in multiple images as the naughty child, divine lover and eternal philosopher. And television producers and filmmakers are cashing in on his aura to woo audiences.
While TV shows like âJai Shri Krishnaâ on Colors and Nickâs latest animated show âLittle Krishnaâ have been entertaining viewers, the big screen has also been abuzz with animated movies like âBal Krishnaâ and âKrishna: Aayo Natkhat Nandlalâ in recent times.
Prem Sagar of Sagar Arts, which has been popular for producing mythological shows like âRamayanâ and âShri Krishnaâ, says it is the âuniversalityâ and âcompletenessâ of Krishnaâs character that makes for interesting storytelling.
âIt is not like only Krishna is the most popular mythological character being shown on TV. There are shows on other gods like Shani, Sai Baba and Maa Durga as well. But what makes Krishna stand out is the fact that he is complete in all aspects,â Sagar told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.
âHe has so many different shades to his character - romance, bravery, diplomacy, he was cunning, but positivelyâ¦He is an epitome of completeness,â he added.
Krishna is equally loved by devotees for his mischievous escapades like stealing butter and curds as a child, his romantic interludes with Radha and his sacred message of the âGitaâ to Arjuna on the battlefield.
Such a diverse nature in one person is what interests viewers about Krishna, says Nina Elavia Jaipuria, senior vice president and general manager of Nick India.
âKrishna is a prankster, a superhero, a lover, a musician - all captured into one and has immense universal appeal,â Jaipuria told IANS.
Lord Krishna was introduced on TV in 1987 with B.R. Chopraâs mega <b>mythological</b> <!--emo&:blink:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' /><!--endemo--> show âMahabharataâ and seven years later came Ramanand Sagarâs âShri Krishnaâ that was completely dedicated to the blue god.
People have since then endeared him as a character despite the flurry of âsaas-bahu sagas and reality shows that have seeped into the Indian television scenario.
Sagar says that people of âevery age, sex, society and income group identify with Krishnaâ and that is what has made him stay an on-screen favourite over the years.
According to Ashish S.K., the brain behind âLittle Krishnaâ on Nick, it is a wise idea to use mythological stories in an engaging and entertaining manner.
âIndian mythology has a lot of stories to offer. Many times people ask us why we make animation movies based on mythology only, but then we ask why not?
âWhen the animation industry was in its nascent stage abroad, even they made films on their popular folklores like âAlice in Wonderlandâ and âSnow Whiteâ - but that was because they didnât have any such mythological stories to tell.
âWhen we have these stories, why not take them to a wider audience through animation,â said Ashish, who is CEO of BIG Animation, a subsidiary of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG).
Sagar, who has been in the business of producing and conceptualising mythological shows for decades, feels the creation of such programmes helps bring kids and new generations closer to our culture.
(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in)