CHANDAMAMA TAKES CHARGE

A handsome young man in a bright track suit does some cart-wheels and then decides to walk on his hands. Next he chats up the child artistes, shares a laugh with the crew and when the monitor flickers miserably, sets it right with one tug at the cable... could he be the court jester of the unit, you marvel. “That’s Vidhur, my youngest son. He’s a computer engineer in the States. He plays the title role of Chandamama and also produces the special effects of the serial,” reveals Kamini Kaushal with pride. “And that gentleman there,” she points to a distinguished chap sporting a neatly trimmed goatee, “is Rahul, my elder son who used to be a professor in Media & Mass Communication in the States. Now he is in India and is helping me with this production. He runs the show for me.”

The serial is a family do for the Kaushals. “Mama takes care of the emotions, Vidhur the SFX and I crack the whip here,” sums up Rahul good humouredly.

After four children’s serials, Kamini Kaushal seems to have perfected the recipe for home-made kid shows. “Other than cartoons and some hired American shows, there are no programmes for children on TV in India. They are compelled to watch irrelevant film-based programmes. So we thought of making a good, entertaining show based on the popular story of Chandamama, the eternal friend and benefactor of children. Of course, we’ve given the traditional tale a modern, funky look through computer graphics,” Vidhur explains.

Chandamama can take on any form he wants to help children out of tight spots. His spirit travels on a space-ship manned by puppets. ”Each episode depicts a different story and is full of fun and wonder. I am sure kids will love it,” insists Kamini Kaushal.

The shot is ready, it’s time for action. As the sun beats down mercilessly, the gentle breeze from the Arabian sea providing welcome relief, things get hectic on the sets of Chandamama. Debu Deodhar, the noted cinematographer, takes his position on the trolley. A young girl races after a gubbarewala squealing delightedly, “Mera wala blue!” Moreover, she finds that all the coins and pennies from her piggy bank can’t buy her the coveted balloon. So she sets out to raise enough money by carrying a heavy bag for an overburdened lady-traveller. As the young girl drags the heavy bag, Chandamama appears from nowhere. He picks up the bag and carries it for his little friend. All the shots are okayed and lunch is called for.

Over crisp dosas and piping hot sambhar, which incidentally is his pet food, Vidhur talks about his work in the show. “This is my third trip back home for the serial. First we evolved the concept, designed a storyline that would provide a good mix of emotions and special effects,” he explains.

While travelling on the plane, he took some shots of the fluffy clouds from the window which they will be incorporating in the serial. I have also procured some exclusive footage from NASA of the aerial shots of the Earth, the close-ups of the Moon’s surface showing the craters in their full splendour. With all this and the media package I have worked out wonderful special effects giving the spirit of the moon a human form.” “Computer gives a fluidity to the visuals. Nothing is stiff. It makes my job all the more exciting and enjoyable,” Vidhur enthuses.

Rahul enumerates the practical difficulties in selling a children’s serial, “Ever since mainstream programming has gone commercial, advertisers are putting money only on popular entertainment shows. Who wants to sponsor children’s shows when children don’t have the purchasing power? Though DD has gone commercial, it still has vestiges of social responsibility so they have given us the go-ahead for 52 episodes. Got into all this trouble of producing an authentic Indian kids show only to provide an outlet to mama’s creative urges and the emotive element that connects her directly with a child. My brother is skilled in an area which forms a natural symbiotic relationship for mama’s show. So here we are,” he smiles gently, “with all the bells and whistles”.

As always Kamini Kaushal will be dubbing for all the puppets. Co-scripted with Achala Nagar, produced and directed by Kaushal herself, this is her fifth consecutive serial on DD after Chand Sitare, Gaft Show, Panchatantra and the ecology-show, Hari Bhari Phulwari. “I want to go on air after I’ve 10 episodes ready. We are shooting the third episode right now. I’m hoping for a Sunday morning slot,” Kamini says.

“At the rate I’m flying back and forth I don’t even have the time to feel the jet-lag,” grins Vidhur who’s on a long vacation from Stafford, US now. And all for a good cause too.

Chandamama fired up our imagination when we were children, this hi-tech avtaar of the Kaushals should excite today’s discerning lot similarly. Puppets on a spaceship and a Chandamama with a sack full of SFX should be good enough for the new kids on the block.