MUMBAI: In its second leg on Cartoon Network, the Indian adaptation of Sesame Workshop which is co-produced by Miditech, Galli Galli Sim Sim is set to be repackaged with new muppet characters in the show.
The second season is scheduled to roll-out in February following an advanced workshop on muppeteering conducted by Marty Robinson, and a writers workshop conducted by Annie Evan of Sesame Workshop, New York, with Miditech's production team.
Galli Galli Sim Sim is India's first international magazine format muppet show for pre-schoolers, that will now see new set of muppet characters introduced in the forthcoming series. The existing characters Boombah, Chamki, Googly and Aanchoo will have new friends joining-in to entertain children under the age of six.
Muppeteering is a scientific creation of characters, but more importantly a difficult art to perform as it must match the role of its scripted characters in the show. Robinson said, "Through their experience the muppeteers have mastered their individual physical technique and performance. In the workshop, we have further developed the relationships between the characters to help work as one team."
"They are strong characters with great comic potential, and exciting additions to the Galli."
Annie Evans has been working with the scriptwriters' team to create new storylines, to introduce muppet characters. She says, "The new members of the Sim Sim family will add colour and energy to the Galli. These muppets have great potential for physical comedy, which is a great way for children to watch and learn."
With a key challenge in creating television content for children that is entertaining and educative, Miditech has closely worked with Sesame Workshop, New York and Turner Broadcasting, in making multiplicity the mantra, using universal elements from different regions that would provide identity to children in any part of India. The programme features cross-genre content infused with basic childhood matters and is seen from children's point of view, states an official release.
In addition to teaching basic cognitive skills, such as literacy, Galli Galli Sim Sim promises to represent the vibrancy of India's multiculturalism. The series will celebrate the similarities and differences that are part of children's every day lives built around cognition, emotion, physical well being, social relations and culture.
