GALLI GALLI SIM SIM, the localized version of the award-winning children's series SESAME STREET, makes its home in India this year on leading kids' channels Cartoon Network and POGO. Nafisa Ali, chairperson, Children's Film Society, India inaugurated the GALLI GALLI SIM SIM set at Filmcity, Noida.
Joining the four colorful Muppet characters Chamki, Aanchoo, Googly and Boombah, who were unveiled in December, GALLI GALLI SIM SIM residents include human characters representing different genders, regions and religions.
GALLI GALLI SIM SIM is produced by nonprofit educational organization - Sesame Workshop, Indian kids' entertainment leader Turner and Delhi-based producers Miditech. Miditechs team includes: Niret Alva, president Miditech and exec. producer of the series; Pria Somiah, supervising producer; Julius Packiam, music director; Samir Chanda, art director; Sehba Iman, head writer; and Prakash Moorthy, head animator.
Based on extensive research with local educators, child development experts, artists and producers, each of the characters have Indian nuances both in their physical appearances, as well as their personalities. In addition to encouraging young children to learn basic cognitive and numeracy skills, the neighborhood friends will represent the vibrancy of India's multi-culturalism celebrating the diversity that are a part of children's every day lives.
While the overall series is designed to promote the joy of learning, appreciation of cultural strengths and fostering an understanding across differences is one of the five curricular theme areas (along with cognitive, emotional, social, and physical) for the project. Studio and animation segments will depict a variety of art forms and foster cultural appreciation. Various music styles will be featured in the series as well.
"Having successfully established two kids' channels in India, we have no doubt that GALLI GALLI SIM SIM will also appeal to young kids and become a part of every kid's life. Drawing on the resources of a highly talented Indian production team, and combined with Turner and Sesame Workshop's expertise, GALLI GALLI SIM SIM will be a unique television series that will be truly Indian, and engage and stimulate young minds as well," said Anshuman Misra, md, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd.
"We are making a bold run at engaging the tens of millions of young children in India around important educational messages to begin them on a lifelong love of learning," said Gary E. Knell, president/ceo, Sesame Workshop. "This collaboration with Turner and Miditech, recognized and renowned experts in kids' television and television production respectively, will ensure that we reach that goal."
"One of our goals is to demonstrate India's rich cultural heritage and diversity on GALLI GALLI SIM SIM through the colorful characters, engaging storylines, wonderful music, and new live action and animation films," said Alva. "GALLI GALLI SIM SIM, with all its humor and interactivity, encourages children to explore the world outside their window."
Ancillary materials are currently being developed for GALLI GALLI SIM SIM. Funding for the development phase was provided through the generous support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICICI Bank.
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1968, which changed television forever with the legendary SESAME STREET. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. For additional information, visit www.sesameworkshop.org.
Turner's Cartoon Network and POGO are the #1 and #2 television destinations for kids in India. Having shaped kids' television in India, with the launch of Cartoon Network in 1995, Turner created another milestone with the launch of POGO, a multi-genre channel for kids and their families in 2004. Recognized as the resident kids' experts with a 360-degree presence through successful on-air and on line activities, ground-events, promotional licensing, product licensing, publishing and the soon-to-be-launched theme parks, Cartoon Network and POGO, with an intelligent mix of live action, documentaries, movies and animation, offer a complete entertainment package for Indian kids.
Part of the Time Warner Co., Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. is the arm of Turner Broadcasting System. Inc. (TBS) charged with the sales and marketing of Turner's news and entertainment services in India and South Asia.
Miditech Pvt. Ltd. is among Asia's leading independent production companies, creating cross-genre content since 1992 for region's top broadcasters: BBC, MTV, NGCI, Discovery, Star Network, and Sony. Over the years, Miditech has built an enviable portfolio comprising widely acclaimed environment series, award-winning documentaries, popular fiction, entertainment and lifestyle and reality programs.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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