Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)
With Inputs from Zita Usha Fernandes
Mangaluru, Nov 23: The first-ever Konkani children's film, 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa', has created history after it was screened in various film festivals including in the USA.
'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' was premiered at Atlanta, USA on July 2 in front of a gathering of about 2,500. It won Excellence Award at Headline International Film Festival of North America. This was the only film selected for National Children's Film Festival of the ministry of information and broadcasting at Jaipur, Rajasthan on November 16.
'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' was also screened at the prestigious Chowdaiah Memorial Hall in Bengaluru on November 13 to a packed house. The free-of-charge screening was arranged by GSS Samaj of Bengaluru under the chairmanship Dr Dayananda Pai. All the technicians, artistes and sponsors were felicitated during the programme. Noted film actor and director Suresh Heblikar was the chief guest of the function.
The movie has already got tremendous praise from press and public.
65-year-old Dr K Ramesh Kamath has directed the movie. More than 45 children and 15 leading Konkani artistes have acted in the film. Four leading child artistes Sarthak Shenoy, Shreyas Kamath, Samarth Shenoy and Spandana Pai symbolically represent the Spiritual, Scientific, Secular and Social aspects of the society (that is what 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' stand for: Aadhyatmik, Vaignanik, Jaatyateeth and Saamajik). Dr Ramesh Kamath has acted as Guru Satya Swami symbolising the Truth while Vasudha Prabhu from Mumbai and Zita Usha Fernandes from Mangaluru have acted as principal and headmistress of a model school. Tulu film stalwart Gopinath Bhat, Satish Kullappa Pai, Santosh Kullappa Pai and Dinesh Prabhu have appeared in very special characters. Famed magician Om Ganesh acted superbly and P R Nayak couple are also there in the movie.
Film has one patriotic song and music is composed by Diwan Giridhar and Konkani classical singers - Mahalakshmi Shenoy and Shankar Shanbhog have rendered their voices.
'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' film tries to mould the younger generation of the society to become future great citizens and leaders emphasizing the idea of national integration. The story comprises of both imaginary incidents and real life stories of people engaged in social service.
The highlight of the film is 'Snehalaya', run by the renowned social worker Joseph Crasta. Joseph himself has acted in the movie and narrates his own life story to inspire children to engage in social service.
Vedamurthy Chempi Ramachandra Bhat's 'gindi dance', Kogga Bhaskar Kamath's puppetry and children's Yakshagana are other highlights of the movie.
The film was shot in the beautiful locations of Kallianpur forest, river banks, St Mary’s Island, Kaup beach etc using a drone to capture the panoramic view of nature. Camera work by Ramesh Koira, editing by Anil and digital interface by Mathew are praiseworthy.
'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' produced under the banner of Film India Productions is expected to win many state, national and international awards.
The department of information and public relations and Mysore Film Society will screen 'Aa Vai Jaa Saa' at Kalamandira in Mysuru on Wednesday November 23 at 5 pm.
The film with 73 minutes duration has English sub-titles.