Pune-based BIG Animation, a part of Reliance Big Entertainment, has completed 13 episodes of their much anticipated high-end 3D animated television series Little

Based on traditional tales of Krishna's childhood adventures, the series is an outcome of seven years of research and two-and-a-half years of production by the studio's 280 plus team in collaboration with The India Heritage Foundation. The 23-minute episodic series has been created in English, but has also been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

BIG Animation's CEO Ashish Kulkarni said, "Krishna is the most known and revered brand with a cult following across the world, beyond the people of Indian origin. Secondly, the series has been created using state of the art 3D computer generated character animation in a manner that combines Indian design motifs with classical Western styles."

While the primary target group is children in the age group of 7-9 years, the product is positioned as a family entertainer. Each episode is parcelled as one story carefully integrated as two themes, one soft, and the other full of action, running parallel in each episode. Scripted by Emmy Award winner Jeffrey Scott, directed by Vincent Edwards and R Balasubramaniam, the music for the series has been done by Varaprasad.

"The design team at BIG Animation left no stone unturned to research every style aspect of the land of 'Vraj', where these stories took place 5,000 years ago. The backgrounds, art direction, colour keys and all other elements of detailing were thoroughly researched upon unearthing every possible reference and finally deciding on the designs that will suit the contemporary formats."

SOURCE

http://www.biganimation.com/littlekrishna/little_krishna.html

http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14878255

LITTLE KRISHNA

Little Krishna is the darling of Vrindavan, the land of peace and tranquility, which is constantly threatened by the malice of evil king Kamsa. While Krishna is busy with his endless pranks and mischiefs accompanied by his friends, Kamsa remains restless for he is aware that Krishna is his nemesis. As in the past, a prophecy had threatened Kamsa that his evil reign is over, and a savior will descend on earth to make Kamsa meet his worst adversity in life, which is his death. The only objective of Kamsa's life therefore, was to find his angel of death.

Sworn to see the end of Krishna, Kamsa relentlessly sends his trusted aids, the ferocious demons to Vrindavan in order to kill Krishna. But Krishna is born to be a savior as he crushes the deadly demons one after another with heroic poise.

While the episodes of "Little Krishna" capture an epic canvas on screen with the colossal battles of good against evil, it never misses to touch the emotional chord of the narrative. While lapping up the affection of his parents and the admiration of the common mass of Vrindavan, Krishna manifests his mesmerizing charms with his soulful enchanting flute that compels every living creature to dance to his tunes

Action, adventure, heroic valor, selfless deeds, emotional trysts, mischief's... all packaged in a compelling story telling underlines the hallmark of the "Little Krishna" series.

SOURCE

http://www.biganimation.com/littlekrishna/little_krishna.html

http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14878255

The Return Of Hanuman

The Return of Hanuman, a series and not a sequel to the country's most successful animation film Hanuman (as projected through film), makes all tinsel town eyes glued to the box office barometer. The reason is simple and straight as Bollywood sees a promising future in the animation world in coming years. In 2005, the super success of 'Hanuman' made the entire film industry peep into the intricacies and technicalities of the animation world. It resulted in success of animation techniques in many films but full-fledged animation films in child-fiction segment like 'Krishna', 'My Friend Ganesha' and 'Bal Ganesha' failed to create the austerely charm of 'Hanuman'.


The Bollywood trade as well as and the producers are pinning hopes on animation films as their second best resort to hi-profile multi-starrers. The big hike in star prices and lack of available dates has focused all attention on the animation industry but the discouraging results of tell other stories.


Anurag Kashyap's directed 'Return of Hanuman' is presumed to be the costliest warfare in this genre. Kashyap has so far had a mixed year with critically acclaimed docu-drama 'Black Friday' and a washout in the form of poorly conceived 'No Smoking'. 'Return of Hanuman' holds major significance for him as well as for Bollywood as the latter is banking on the country's most successful animation film.


'Return of Hanuman' alienates itself completely from the concept of mythological animation drama projected in 'Hanuman'. The film has a contemporary modern world outlook where Lord Hanuman wishes to return to earth through the mischievous adventures of a modern day kid. 'Hanuman' had a huge success thanks to the engrossing narration that collaged effectively with impressive animation techniques and heart-throbbing music.

Earlier, 'Vaah Life Ho to Aisi' tried to mince and mix mythological characters and fictionalize it humorously in modern world decorum but results were neither promising nor encouraging. 'Return of Hanuman' takes all sorts of liberties in both characterization as well as narration in trying to rejuvenate these formulations. The film projects the voice over of many present day celebrity characters to evoke hilarity in the execution. It succeeds to a large extent in the first half but the second half is a bit dragging when the "asurs" from "Shukra Graha" attack planet earth.

Generally speaking, the success of an ideal animation film depends upon its impressive animation techniques, well-sketched caricatured characters, enthralling narration, crisp dialogues, imposing background music and finally tight screenplay that can crisply describes the entire eventful happening in the two-hour plus package. "Toonz Animation", the mastermind behind all animation wizardry delivers substantial work in executing of many enthralling scenes. The chirpy talk between Hanuman and Narad is hilarious while the caricatures of Rahu and Ketu are aptly designed. The film entertains but the fervor is restricted to some well-executed sequences.

'Return of Hanuman' starts off with Lord Hanuman showing great interest in visiting planet earth in the form of an ordinary human being. The song "Aasman Ko Chhukar", a fun-filled track where he experiences all the seven wonders of the world along with playing all major sports is the biggest highlight. The film picks up brilliantly and now it's all shouldered on the basic plot of the film. Lord Hanuman is blessed by Lord Brahma to return to Earth in the form of a kid called "Maruti". It's all due to the Shukracharya's curse that Earth has become hell and it's all up to Lord Hanuman to save fellow human beings from the ultimate disaster of baddies and "pralaya" (the final destruction of earth).


The scene where 3-month-old Maruti seeks admission in school evokes great laughter and is animated well. Maruti starts going to school and his peculiar adventures start taking place when he accompanies gloomy kid Minku. The football match sequence is another enthralling animated move that really sets the pace of the film. It is followed by many wild and madcap escapades where Maruti pulls himself and his friends out of trouble. The insatiable appetite of kid "Maruti" turns headache for the entire village. It even separates his bosom friend Minku and Munni from him.

The mysterious bunch of bad guys (One eyed man, Gabbar Singh, wolfs etc), hostages all men of the village and now captures Maruti in their evil web. The savior comes in the form of "Vaanar Sena", led by dude monkey who had voice over of Shahrukh Khan. The self-proclaimed Gabbar Singh along with "One eyed man" is defeated by "Vaanar Sena".There is some breathtaking "Matrix" style of animation where Maruti saves himself from volley of bullets. There is also amusement in the voice over of stars like Raj Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan for the main villain of the film.

The scenario shifts towards "Shukra Grah" where "Shukra TV" announcers (sportingly funny) spread the news of loss of magical wand. Rahu and Ketu appoint two of their army men (in form of bees) to capture this magical wand from earth. The climax of film is all about fight for this magical wand and the final fight between "asurs" and Lord Hanuman on earth.

'Return of Hanuman' is an impressive piece of fiction with some finely delivered hilarious moments in the first half and enthralling moments in the second half. If compared to its predecessor 'Hanuman', it won't be as enterprising or bankable as far as the box office reports are concerned. The concept of mixing present day humor in mythological characters may be difficult to digest for every body while the low promotion has also failed to create buzz for the film. Tapas Relia's music is the highlight but the fun is simply restricted to enthusiastically fictionalized "Aasman Ko Chhukar" and to some extent in "Dhishum Dhishum". "Toonz Animation" has delivered potential animation work but it's still not up to quality mark depicted in 'Hanuman'. It was believed that 'Return of Hanuman' would be setting new records in Indian animation industry but the most successful animation flick 'Hanuman' still leads the show.

Krishna animated movie

Mythology has always enchanted audience world over and that too in various formats. Religious gatherings, books, comics, television, movies...you name it and you would find a way in which great stories from the past have been passed on from generation to generation.

Bollywood too has been contributing in its own way to this endeavor and though the volume of making films revolving around mythology may have diminished, the concept is still being kept alive by some entrepreneur film makers. After the phenomenal success of 'Hanuman' last year, Hindi film world would again witness one of the greatest heroes of all times, Krishna, albeit in the younger days of his life.

Though there would hardly be a soul who may not be aware about the stories revolving around Krishna, it is always entertaining to hear [and see] them all over again. This becomes especially exciting when it is presented in an animation format, which in turn becomes highly appealing to the kids.

'KRISHNA', a richly animated, musical feature film tells the story of Lord Krishna's birth, his childhood spent in Vrindavan and his slaying of Kansa, the evil ruler of Mathura. The film features various adventures of his childhood, including his clashes with demons like Pootna, Trinavarat and many more. This animated feature also brings to life Lord Krishna's naughty aspects like stealing butter, and other adventures.

Another enchanting aspect of Lord Krishna's life of playing the flute and bewitching the 'gopis', who become eternally devoted to him and indulge in Ras Leela, is beautifully depicted in this entertaining feature. Lord Krishna, as a very young man returns to Mathura and finally overthrows his evil uncle Kansa, thus bringing to an end this fascinating story of his birth and childhood days.

‘Krishna’, the 1st Hindi animated feature film on Lord Krishna is a Jayantilal Gada presentation and is produced by Shethia Audio Video Pvt. Ltd. The film, directed by Aman Khan, was 2 years in the making, with the skilled and colorful animation done by Media Solutionz.

The film features melodious music and songs composed by Rajendra Shiv. The soundtrack of the film features leading singers of the industry like Kailash Kher, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, Alisha Chinai and Kumar Sanu. The haunting compositions have an everlasting flavor and shall definitely appeal to all. The background score by Bapi-Tutul lifts the scale of the film further, thus enhancing the viewing pleasure. All in all, the music of ‘Krishna’ is one to stay in the minds of listeners for years to come.

A highly colorful and entertaining feature film, the film is released all over on 29th September 2006.

Hanuman Music Rocks!!

Much has already been talked about India's first full fledged animation movie 'Hanuman' that has released all over this Friday. While the visuals have already made an impression and got the movie in the limelight, its music and the background score has been one of the prime reasons that makes the viewing of 'Hanuman' an enriching experience. Though there are multiple tracks by composer Tapas Relia and lyricist Satish Mutatkar in the album of Hanuman, almost all of them are mainly used as a part of the background score.

1) Mahabali Maharudra [Vijay Prakash, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Palash Sen, Kailash Kher, Madhushree, Sneha Pant ]

Album begins on a thunderous note with a high energy title track 'Mahabali Maharudra' and the impact of the track lives up to the title. The number is quite powerful and coming together of artistes like Vijay Prakash, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Palash Sen, Kailash Kher, Madhushree, Sneha Pant only gives the track a grand appeal. Each of the singers get an even role to play in the song and appear in the specially shot music video of the number [that appears towards when the end credits roll]. This well written track by Satish Mutatkar is a good amalgamation of semi-classical music and grand orchestra that gets the album a good kick start.

2) Jai Hanuman [Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan]

Since the album is for the movie 'Hanuman', it is inadvertent that all the songs would be focused around the great hero. 'Jai Hanuman' is about the 'mahima' of 'bajrangbali' and its the modern day treatment that makes it sound different from hundreds of other routine 'bhajnas' that you hear in albums about GODs hitting the stands every second week. Also, the presence of Kailash Kher and Shankar Mahadevan who have a distinct style of their own adds on an extra zing to the track

3) Akdam Bakdam [Shravan]

Shravan sings the best track of the album 'Akdan Bakdam' that has been designed specifically for the kid. Highlighting the games that 'Hanuman' played as a kid and his mischief and pranks, it is highly entertaining as all the factors from rhythm to rendition to the background chorus and above all the musical arrangements make it highly appealing to the children. Add to it the great visuals accompanying the track and rich colorful background and the song could give competition to any other children's song.

4) Jai Bajrangbali [Kinshuk Sen, Palash Sen]

This is yet another children's song that appears soon after 'Akdam Bakdam'. Usage of English words in the song makes it clear that it is mainly a song for the music album and is not present in the movie. A light entertaining song with lyrics that children can easily identify with, it is of the kinds that one hears in numerous kids albums.

5) Hanuman Chalisa [Nandini, Rashmi, Vijay Prakash]

In an album about 'Hanuman', the least one expects is the inclusion of 'Hanuman Chalisa' that is widely read across the world. One may also ask what's so different about it appearing as a part of the album. Well, this lengthiest track in the album turns out to be quite appealing as it is the musical arrangements that give it a contemporary touch. Fierce and subtle alternatively, this well sung piece by Nandini, Rashmi and Vijay Prakash can find a place in the collection of those who regularly recite 'Hanuman Chalisa'.

6) Theme Music and background pieces - Destroying The Ashok Vatika, Bridge Across The Ocean, The War Begins, Kumbhakaran, Raavan Goes To War [Swapnil Bandodkar, Vijay Prakash, Rajesh Jolly]

There are as many as six musical pieces that are either the theme tracks or appear during specific instances in the narrative of the movie. While one may not really play the album specifically for hearing these bac

Hanuman India no.1 Super Hero

Yup India own superhero movie Hanuman was released on 21st Oct-05. This movie was released on the time of Diwali festival so kids and everyone can enjoy it.

HANUMAN is about the extraordinary journey of this mythical superhero - from his days as an adorable, miracle-working baby, to his ultimate triumph in the army of Lord Shri Ram.

As a kid most of us use to read stories of our superhero, and now it like dream come true to see it on screen oh boy its awesome release…

But hold on it has very nice soundtrack composed by Tapas relia along with playback singers like Shaan and Sonu nigam. Hanuman’s voice has been dubbed by Mukesh Khanna.

Sahara One Motion picture is behind this movie, they spent around Rs. 2,50,000,00 for production and additional Rs.1,50,000,00 for marketing movie.

Overall rating 9/10
Animation and visual effects: 9/10

Frame by Frame, Animation Moves to India

If you have a date to go to the movies with a child this week, chances are good that part of the movie you'll see was made in India.The Golden Compass ,Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Incredible Hulk used digital animation that was created in Mumbai.

India is rapidly becoming a player in the global cultural marketplace, and animation is no exception. Los Angeles-based animation company Rhythm & Hues worked on the films from their Hollywood offices — and from the offices that they have opened in India. Employees stay in contact through daily video conferencing, bridging 12 time zones and 13,000 miles.

John Peskavich, sequence supervisor on The Golden Compass says that images are sent back and forth as revisions are made.
"It's tricky because you can't sit with the individual artist," Peskavich says. "But we can look at the shots together in real time."

Preshant Buyyala, managing director of Rhythm & Hues India, says the Indian office is not supposed to be an impersonal outsourcing center. He says that Rhythm & Hues opened its Mumbai office because the company was facing increased competition from abroad as countries such as Canada and Great Britain were giving tax breaks to their own animation firms.

"A lot of the work that we were working on was going away to the U.K. and we were finding it very, very difficult to compete," says Buyyala, who is of Indian descent. He says he suggested India as an attractive location for a new office because it is an English-speaking country with a competitive cost of living.

As faster Internet makes it easier to move large files quickly across the globe, Rhythm & Hues hopes to be part of the growing Indian animation industry. The Indian film industry is already huge, but it's almost exclusively live-action movies.

The animation business in India is expected to grow into a billion-dollar industry in the next few years, according to Pixel, a market research firm. Rhythm & Hues now has 200 employees in Mumbai and is opening another office in Hyderabad.

Animator Payal Danil says that working on Alvin and the Chipmunks has provided her with skills she hopes to someday bring to Indian films.

When work finished for Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Mumbai and Los Angeles staff used the video conference system to have an intercontinental wrap party.

But the animation crew in Mumbai has their work cut out for them — new films, including Mummy 3 are already lined up for production.