Galli Galli Sim Sim makes its mark in India

Media News

New Delhi, February 25

Get ready to go on an adventure with some new furry and fun friends as Galli Galli Sim Sim, the localized version of the award-winning children’s series Sesame Street, makes its home in India. Shooting has commenced on location for Galli Galli Sim Sim, and the series will debut 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. Lead characters include: Jugaadu, who likes to find innovative solutions to fix problems, and does not view his disability as a handicap; Basha Bhaijaan, who owns a corner store and knows several Indian languages; his wife, Dawa Di, who is from North East India, and teaches dance; and Kabir, Basha Bhaijaan and Dawa Di’s son, who is an active and curious eight-year-old. Other key characters include: Col. Albert Pinto and his wife, Rukmini (Doctor Aunty). Col. Pinto, a retired army person, is an advocate for healthy living and civic sense. Rukmini, a doctor by profession, is a combination of contemporary and traditional wisdom.

Galli Galli Sim Sim is produced by nonprofit educational organization - Sesame Workshop, Indian kids’ entertainment leader - Turner, and Delhi-based producers - Miditech. To ensure high quality production values, Galli Galli Sim Sim is produced by Miditech whose team includes: Niret Alva, President – Miditech and Executive 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. And vibrant live action films showing children from different parts of the country will showcase activities from all walks of life.

In a congratulatory note, Honorable Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, said, “I am extremely happy that a revolutionary pre-school kids’ television series, Galli Galli Sim Sim, is launching in India. I am sure that the compelling educational content that the programme has to offer will change the face of young kids’ education in India, just like the globally renowned Sesame Street show has in many countries across the world. For me, Sesame India’s local version, Galli Galli Sim Sim, in days to come, will become an asset to Indian kids’ education as well as provide a new direction in teaching kids to love, understand and celebrate India’s diversity and rich culture. I wish Turner, Sesame Workshop and Miditech the best of luck in this landmark venture - Galli Galli Sim Sim.”

“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, Managing Director, 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 and Chief Executive Officer, 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 Niret Alva, President - Miditech and Executive Producer of the series. “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 of Galli Galli Sim Sim was provided through the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICICI Bank.

For mre information, contact:

Bhavana Lal

Turner International India Pvt. Ltd.

bhavana.lal@turner.com