Cartoon Network celebrates Janmashtmi

Media News

MUMBAI, August 9

Cartoon Network, India’s number one kids channel, promises to make the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtmi even more special for the Network viewers with the Indian television premiere of ‘Krishna: The Birth’ on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Produced by Hyderabad-based Green Gold Animation Studio, the 75-minutes long, 2-D animation movie, Krishna: The Birth traces the birth of Lord Krishna, the revered avtaar of Lord Vishnu. This is Cartoon Network’s second acquisition from Green Gold Animation Studio, the earlier being Vikram Betal in 2005, and is the first of the four planned Krishna series to be showcased on Cartoon Network. ‘Krishna: The Birth’ takes the count of local animations acquired and showcased by Cartoon Network to twelve, with four of these launching in 2006 itself.

Anshuman Misra, Managing Director, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are extremely enthused by the response of our audience to local animations acquired and telecast by Cartoon Network over the years. Airing locally produced shows is one of the cornerstones of the Network’s localisation strategy and helps us contextualise the content for our Indian audiences. With the launch of Krishna: The Birth, the Network reiterates its promise of acquiring and showcasing over four local Indian animation products within this year itself, taking the total tally of home-grown animations acquired by Cartoon Network to twelve! I am sure that this absolutely riveting and charming animated version of the birth of Lord Krishna, will be enjoyed by both parents and children, who have grown up listening or watching this enduring tale.”

Rajiv Chilakalapudi, Managing Director, PMI Green Gold Animation Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to be working with Cartoon Network and are thrilled at getting the opportunity to animate a personality such as that of Lord Krishna. Krishna gives us the platform to showcase Green Gold’s Creative and technical strengths in Animation. Since its inception Green Gold has been focused towards the development of original intellectual animation properties with the assistance of powerful digital animation software tools while pushing the boundaries of constant innovation. ”

Debuting as part of Cartoon Network Theatre on August 16 at 2:00 p.m., ‘Krishna: The Birth’ is the enchanting tale of the miraculous birth of Lord Vishnu in the form of baby Krishna to Vasudev and Devaki. The story is set in an era when the human race was overburdened by the demonic forces of different kings posing themselves as the royal order. Perturbed by this disorder and chaos, the predominating deity of the Earth, known as Bhu Devi, and along with other Gods approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu promised them that he would take birth on Earth as Krishna, who would destroy all evil on the planet before the dawn of Kalyug. Krishna: The Birth’ chronicles the events and incidents accompanying the birth of Lord Vishnu as Krishna.

As mentioned, ‘Krishna: The Birth’ is part of a four-part series acquired by Cartoon Network, detailing the life of Lord Vishnu as Krishna on Earth. The first four parts of Krishna would cover the birth of Krishna, Krishna’s Childhood, Krishna’s Teenage, and Krishna killing Kansa. The first part of this series, ‘Krishna: The Birth’ has been worked on by over 100 animation specialists and it took almost a year to make the same, from the stage of pre-production, with production taking 6 months.

Green Gold Animation is a sophisticated digital animation and graphics production company, which, since inception has been focused towards the development of original intellectual animation properties with the assistance of powerful digital animation software tools while pushing the boundaries of constant innovation.

Launched in India in 1995, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS) Cartoon Network is the leading kids’ entertainment channel, reaching more than 26 million viewers. Cartoon Network India was the first international kids’ channel to acquire locally produced programming like Pandavas – The Five Warriors, Sinbad – Beyond The Veil of Mists, Ramayana – The Legend Of Prince Ram, The Adventures of Tenali Raman, The Adventures of Chhota Birbal, Vikram Betaal, Akbar Birbal, Son Of Alladin and The Legend Of Buddha. Cartoon Network has also launched successful, innovative, and integrated on-ground events, such as Hojaye Shuru – The Beyblade Championship, Join The Powerpuff Generation, Toon Cricket, Toon Yatra, Next Big Toon, School Is Cool, Save Dexter’s Brain, etc.

Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.