Page 68 - Mann Ki Baat - English May 2022
P. 68
‘Ramayana : The Legend of Prince Rama’
A 30-year-old Indo-Japanese an animated format could truly
animated film on the ancient depict the majesty and grandeur
Indian epic being remastered of the Ramayana.
in 4K
A total of 450 people, including
Ramayana is an epic magnum excellent animators from Japan
opus that has stood the test of and India worked tirelessly to
time, depicting the life and trials create more than 1,00,000 hand-
of Lord Rama. 2020 marked the drawn celluloid pictures. Sako
resurgence in the popularity then spent months researching
and interest in this ancient epic the narrative and studying
through Ramanand Sagar’s clothes and architectural
classic rendition re-telecast on aspects, meeting academics,
Doordarshan. archaeologists, and historians.
Hon’ble Prime Minister's visit to He was guided thoroughly by
Japan brought to light a deep, Indian animators about the
interesting connection to this ancient Indian customs and
great Indian legend. On his visit, traditions showcased in the film
he met Atsushi Matsuo and such as “how people in India
Kenji Yoshi of TEM Production wear the dhoti, how they wear
Company in Japan, who will the saree, how they groom their
soon release the remastered hair, how children respect each
4K version of the Japanese other within the family, and
animation film based on what the tradition of blessing
Ramayana released in 1993. The is, waking up in the morning,
luminaries behind the epoch- offering salutation to the elders
making, 30-year-old Indo- of the household, seeking their
Japanese creation are Japan’s blessings.”
famous film director Yugo Sako,
Now, after 30 years, this animation
and India’s iconic animator,
film is being remastered in
Ram Mohan.
4K. This project, likely to be
About 40 years ago, in 1983, completed soon, comes off as
Yugo Sako travelled to India and an exciting news shared by the
came to know about Ramayana Hon’ble Prime Minister, filling the
for the first time. Ramayana hearts of Indian cineastes with
touched his heart, after which pride to see this timeless epic
he started researching deeply come to life, yet again.
on it. Mr. Sako studied 10 distinct
versions of Valmiki's Ramayana,
all in Japanese. Despite his To watch the trailer of
Ramayana: The Legend of
background as a documentary
Prince Rama,
director, he believed that only scan the QR code
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