The Hindu : Karnataka News : Government to extend subsidy to children's films

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 26, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Government to extend subsidy to children's films

By Our Staff Reporter

The Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh (extreme left), the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah (second from left), director Nanjunda Gowda (third from left), film star Vishnuvardhan (second from right), and former Kannada and Culture Director Muddukris hna, with children at the International Children's Film Festival, which was inaugurated in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE, FEB. 25. The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, have promised that the Government will extend subsidy and other assistance to deserving children's films in Kannada produced in the State.

Inaugurating a four-day International Children's Film Festival organised by the Bangalore-based cultural forum "Children's India" here today, Mr. Dharam Singh said the Government will support children's films on a par with the support being extended to feature films.

It is the responsibility of all those concerned in the cinema industry, and in the related fields, particularly the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, to promote the cause of children's films, he added.

Addiction to TV

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that in the absence of proper entertainment, children have either been addicted to or become dependent on television programmes, many of which are vulgar and morbid. Even adult viewers lack good entertainment. The Kannada film industry that once produced good children's films such as Makkala Rajya, Nagarahole, Simhada Mari Sainya, Bettada Hoovu, Chinnari Muttha and Dangeyedda Makkalu is now concentrating only on commercial feature films despite heavy losses, he said. On the lines of Andhra Pradesh, the State will also provide a subsidy of Rs. 25 lakhs and sops for films meant for children, produced in Kannada, he said.

The noted film artiste Vishnuvardhan said it is challenging to make children's films considering the IQ of today's youngsters. Children are generally keen on learning through logic and reasoning and refuse to be lured by the world of illusion. They have the ability to make elders gullible and at times outsmart them, he said.

IT influence

Pointing to the increasing influence of computer technology in education, he suggested that parents and teachers should give due importance to cultural activities in developing children's minds and bodies. In that direction children films with native and national themes will help children develop a new kind of creative consciousness with a broader perspective, the actor added.

The President of the Children's India and filmmaker, N.R. Nanjunde Gowda, said the festival is being held after a gap of two decades. He urged the Government to support those making films for children and hold annual festivals.

The president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, H.D. Gangaraj; the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, R. Ramalinga Reddy; the former Director of Kannada and Culture, Y.K. Muddukrishna; and several film directors and producers were present.

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