Shooting has commenced on location at Eagle Studios, Noida for Galli Galli Sim Sim, the localized version of the award-winning children’s series Sesame Street which 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 Sesame Workshop, Turner, and Delhi-based producers – Miditech. Prakash Moorthy is the 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, 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,â€? 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.�
â€?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,â€? said Niret Alva, President – Miditech and Executive Producer of the series. â€?Galli Galli Sim Sim, with all its humor and interactivity, encourages children to explore the world outside their window.â€?
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like Dragon Tales, Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, Pinky Dinky Doo and groundbreaking multimedia productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. As a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, Sagwa, and Pinky products back into its educational projects for children around the world.