Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

One for the records

Reji Syne and Mochita talk about their special Onam programme on Amrita TV that won them a mention in the Limca Book of Records

CELEBRATIONS OF YORE `Udayamritham' had 50 folklore artistes participating in the show that was telecast on the day of Thiruonam

Taking a break from the interviews and `talkathons' on the small screen, Reji Syne, director of `Udayamritham,' a breakfast show on Amrita TV, decided to focus on the Onam celebrations of yore and its close connection to traditional art forms and agrarian practises in Kerala.

The 55-minute show, which was shown on Amrita on the day of Thiruonam, has won them the recognition of the Limca Book of Records, which has recognised it as the longest single shoot in non-fiction on the small or big screen.

Shot in the picturesque environs of Arangottukara village in Deshamanagalm, Thrissur, the episode absorbed the celebrations of an Onam that may soon be history.

Fifty folklore artistes participated in the show, most of which was filmed in front of Varakkappally Mana in Deshamanagalm. Thirayattom, Pulluvan Pattu, Pannan Pattu and Thumbi thullal were some of the folk art forms that were shown.

Says Reji, "A rehearsal of the entire show was done to get the right sequence. Since so many artistes were working, one mistake would have meant having it start again as we were determined to capture the entire episode without a break."

Holding the show together was anchorperson Mochita, Reji's wife. Mochita, who won the State award for the best anchorperson, skilfully knited the whole show without a hitch.

On the spot recording

As no dubbing was planned, the entire show had to be recorded on the spot.

She says, "Since a written script was not possible for a show of this kind, I had to do homework on the folk arts of Kerala.

Then I interacted with the artistes to learn about their beliefs and customs. So, as we moved on the each art form, I gave a brief introduction of the art form to familiarise viewers with what was happening on the screen. For instance `Kudachozhi,' believed to safeguard the grains from harm, is a quaint tradition that clearly points to Onam's agrarian roots."

Mapping this rich melange of customs and celebrations was cameraman Prasanth S. who says that it was an unforgettable experience for him.

"Most of the time, I was walking backwards. So, I had two assistants guiding me and helping me navigate the 750 metres around which we had planned the shot. Walking through a paddy field, we went to the house and then around the house to a narrow country road.

My arms felt like lead after a while. Since we began the shot at 5 p.m., it had to be shot before the sun set.

But it was a challenge and now there is a sense of achievement," he says.

The filming process was documented in video and photographs as proof of the success of their venture. Reji and Mochita are now planning similar ventures that will document Kerala's social and artistic roots.

S.N.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail