Super Star – The Ultimate Touches Its Century Mark On February 10th

P Jayachandran

Amrita TV’s uber cool music reality show, Super Star The Ultimate enters the elite club of chart busting programmes, when it notches up its 100th straight episode on February 10th at  8.30 pm.

Basking  in the glow of this commendable milestone, the contestants who have become household names and the panel of heavy weight judges who smoothed away the rough edges of their talent, come together to weave a tapestry of lilting melodies for the special centenary episode. Continuing with the spirit and ardor that saw them making it  to the laudable landmark, the competitors mark the D-day with  a well chosen medley of  exquisite songs.

P.Jayachandran, the past master of playback  then takes over the megaphone to render one of his all-time favorite numbers, according the participants the delight of catching the legend perform live before their eyes.

Music Director Sharath, gives broad hints of the melody feast of his latest movie, Thalsamayathu Oru Penkutty awaiting film aficionados, by singing one of the 8 songs he composed for the musical romance starring Unni Mukundan and Nithy Menon , with new singing sensation Anoop Shankar’s riveting performance rounding up the musical bonanza on a befitting note.

Meanwhile  Super Star-The Ultimate  Webpage  has becomes the new buzzword amongst cybernauts.

Super Star The Ultimate 100 Episodes

Superstar.amritatv.com, the official  webpage of Superstar-The Ultimate has become a browser’s  delight, attracting steadily increasing traffic since its launch a few months back. The visually rich site loaded with dozens of videos, photos and wallpapers has a host of never-before features seen for the first time in Malayalam channel websites, comparable in design, content and presentation to international sites such as American Idol.

Super Star The Ultimate

The National Textiles Corporation powered micro site gives  complete performance profiles of the contestants, with the entire songlist of  every participant, sung over the course    of the show; the full, unedited audio of each song ; the latest video of  all contestant performances spiced up by judge’s remarks and assessments that are loaded on and accessible over the U-Tube ; facility to post one’s comments, both critical and appreciative about the song immediately; most recent snaps of the competitors renewed after every shoot schedule ; choice of attractive wall papers of the aspirants in 6 different dimensions; regular updates on Facebook and Twitter; clippings of crisp interviews with celebrity guests; vibrantly interactive ,1.25 lakh strong on-line community with fan clubs for each competitor These are just some of the innovations that enable a quick recap of a competitor’s history and the chance to review a favourite song, on a website that has just registered 50 million viewer hits.

Amrita TV Invites Entries To New Reality Show, Kasavu Thattam

Kasavu Thattam

Amrita TV is planning to bring in a brand new addition to its Gulf Band in the form of Kasavu Thattam, a reality show for Mappilappattu , the conventional folk song genre of Malabar Muslims.

The competition is open to anyone from the Middle East, male or female, above the age of 18, who are well-versed in the categories, types and themes of this traditional branch of music.

Contestants to the show will be selected through rounds of auditions that will be held in venues in Dubai, UAE.

Aspirants may mail their applications along with their Curriculum Vitae to kt@amritatv.com {Contact Numbers :0506005546/0504509187}

Last date for registration is February 7 .

Republic Day Special Programs on Amrita TV 26th January 2012

As the march past of military might and muscle in the capital celebrates India’s ascension to a complete sovereign republic, Amrita salutes the momentous day with programmes brimming with patriotic spirit and fervor.

Hoisting the flag to the special day is Bharatheeyam at 10.30 am, with the pulsating rhythms of patriotic songs from current Hindi and old Malayalam movies ,that sets one’s blood racing to the heartbeats of national pride.

Kaanakombath which announced the return of Madhu Muttom to cinematic limelight after a long lay-off since achieving instantaneous laurels and enduring fame with ManichithraThazhu ,will have its world television premier at 3.30pm. With the gorgeous Myhtili as the female lead, the film flaunts a parade of newcomers such as Vinod Krishnan, Deepushanth, Vinay etc reinforced with a veteran line-up consisting of Nedumudi Venu,
K.P.A.C Lalitha, Salim kumar and so on.

Pitching into the nationalistic mood is a special episode of Super Star-The Ultimate at 8.30pm in which veteran playback thespian P .Jayachandran renders Vande Matharam, with composer Sharrath backing him to the hilt and proving that he is no mean singer himself; the contestants of the show come together for a medley of patriotic tunes from films old and new while Sajna and company infuse variety with dances choreographed exclusively for the Republic Day.

As a fitting tribute to the day that India adopted her constitution, the magnificent megaserial Sreepadmanabham will be launched at 9.30 pm, a lavishly recreated historical drama that unveils the fascinating tale of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, after whose prevailing deity the capital city Thiruvananthapuram is named. Covering the history of the times from the reign of Ravivarma Kulasekhara to Chittira Thirunal and highlighting the period of Marthanda Varma, the founder of modern Travancore, it stars Devan, Mohan Sharma, ‘Nivedhyam’ Padmakumar, Praveena, Ambika, Sreelekshmi, Shalu Menon etc.

The 62nd Rebublic day beats a retreat into history with the staging of the thrilling denouement of the Grand Finale of Deva Geetham Middle East, the maiden reality show for Christian choir songs, at 11 pm. The 4-cornered contest that gives the competing teams 2 chances in the choral song and duet rounds to prove their ecclesiastical worth and judged by an acclaimed panel of judges consisting of Ouseppachan, Alphonse Joseph, Shibu Chakravarthy and Father Antony Uruliannikkal ,will be interspersed with devout compositions from Alphonse, violin solo by Ouseppachan, choral melodies from Dubai based Canadian and British bands, Margam kali displays etc, to help galvanize the contestants to devotional highs.

Smitha Sivaji

Kana Kombathu

Sreepadmanabham

Sreepadmanabham, Amrita TV’s new mega serial,  is a historical drama that circumnavigates the Padmanabhaswamy temple of Travancore, the richest shrine in the world and depicts the fascinating tale of its past , by deftly braiding together authentic historical incidents, spiritual beliefs and mythical lore associated with the kshethra.

Directed by eminent film director Suresh Unnithan , the serial’s credit list stars some of the most  celebrated names in the TV acting echelon  such as Devan, Mohan Sharma, ‘Nivedhyam’ Padmakumar, Praveena, Ambika, Sreelekshmi, Shalu Menon, Maya Moushmi, Reshmi Boban, Sharath, Sonu etc. To be launched on January 26th , it will be telecast Monday to Friday at 9.30pm.

The programme picks up the thread at the critical juncture of Thripadidanam, wherein  Marthanda Varma, wearied by the domestic unrest sprouting all over Travancore, surrenders his kingdom at the feet of  the deity and vows to rule thenceforth as Padmanabha Dasa,the slave of the Lord. Miraculously, the rebellion subsides and peace reigns over the  province. On this occasion, the grateful monarch discloses the ancient folklore about the temples’ origin to his nephew and crown prince,  Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma.

According to the legend, Viluamangalathu Swamiyar, the priest of the Anathapuram Temple in Kasargode prayed incessantly for a divya darshan and the Lord appeared before him in the guise of a boy. The Swamiyar followed him into the Anandankadu where He revealed himself in his reclining posture, in all His majesty. The temple  was created on that very spot under the patronage of the ruler of Travancore.

Portrayed in dramatic detail and re splendid  in the colorful costumes of the times, the narrative chronicles all the highpoints in the history of the temple from the periods of  Ravivarma Kulasekhara to Chittira Thirunal –the development of the Ettarayogam council who controlled the temple’s administration , the clashes between the King and the Pottis of the council over its management, the emergence of the Ettuveetil Pillamar  as the overlords of the 8 provinces of the kingdom and who became more powerful than the monarch and conspired to kill the king; how the king managed to escape the assassination attempts by the skin of his teeth ; the rites  and rituals special to the temple; the unwavering faith of the devotees in the powers of the deity, the lives of the artisans dependent on the temple for their livelihood –are all woven  into the fabric of the tale to present a credible and engrossing depiction of  the  bygone age.

Sree Padmanabham

Without distorting history or needlessly exaggerating mythical beliefs, Sreepadmanabham gives spiritual gratification to the devout  and accurate facts to the curious by its re-enactment of real historical events.

In spite of its almost iconic status, not many know much about  the shrine’s antecedents. Strangely enough no real attempt has been made till date in the visual medium to tap into the narrative possibilities of the subject. Sreepadmanabham is virtually the first television endeavor to recount the tale of the temple, that is so intertwined with the history of princely Travancore and the erstwhile royal family.

Smitha Sivaji
MARCOM,Amrita TV

Makaravilakku On Amrita TV

When thousands of devotees congregate on the Sabarimala temple  to catch a glimpse of the Makravilakku appearing on the Ponnambalamedu on January 15th , Amrita TV presents a number of programmes to commemorate  the end of this year’s Mandalapooja season.

Pradakshinam at  8.30 am focuses on the Sastha temple at Erumely, a mandatory stop-over in the itinerary of every Ayyappa devotee and delves into the myths and folklore associated with it. The shrine in which Lord Ayyappa is worshipped in the form of an archer is believed to have been built on the spot where he killed the buffalo-headed Mahishi, which was the very purpose of his incarnation. According  to legend, Lord Ayyappa performed a victory dance over the body of the dead demoness and in memory of the slaying, pilgrims perform Pettathullal, a ritualistic dance in which the black dhothi-clad devotees smear themselves  all over with ash and  perform to the beat of the cymbals and drums.

Sannidhanam, 2 special segments scheduled for the 2.30 pm and 3.30pm slots directs the viewers to the most sacred Sastha shrine n the State, the Sabarimala temple and fills us in with brief overviews of the fables of Lord Ayyappa, born of the union of Mohini and Lord Shiva and raised by the Pandalam Raja who discovered him as a foundling in the forests near the Pamba river; of the history of the best known pilgrimage destination of Kerala and the relevance of a temple which endorses communal harmony and  is open to all faiths.

As the hour for the sighting of the divine Makarajyothi approaches, the telecast turns LIVE.From 4.00 pm on the evening, a battery of  cameras positioned at vantage points in and around the holy of holies carry the events directly from the spot, with expert commentary by Vilakudi Rajendran, Secretary of Samskrithi Bhavan: from the Garuda or Brahminy Eagle hovering in majestic escort of the sacred jewels or thiruvabharanam brought from the Pandalam palace, the assemblage of devotees milling around the Pathinettampadi, the appearance of the celestial Makara star in the sky at the exact moment the doors of the sanctum sanctorum are thrown open for Deeparadhana and the answering flame of the Makaravilakku flickering thrice on the eastern horizon, high on the Ponnambalamedu,  to mark the finis of the Makaravilakku Mahotsavam.

Smitha Sivaji
MARCOM, Amrita TV

Stilling Moment in Super Star The Ultimate – Jayachandran Against Kolaveri

The Kolaveri song, within days of its online release had gone viral on the internet and had earned more than a million hits on the website.

However, its peppy, catchy tune and funky lyrics does less to impress Jayachandran who got offended as one of the contestant, Prasanth began singing the song. He strictly condemned the song selection and refused to preside as judge if the performance was not expelled.

Jayachandran Against Kolaveri Song

Kalthamara

Kalthamara is the visual realization of acclaimed writer George Onakkoor’s Malayalam novel written in 1977. The classical mini serial speaks of the charming Mother-Son relationship. Deviating from the normality of the bonding, this story has more emotions to portray, more complexities to depict.

Dr. George Onakkoor is a famous Malayalam novelist. He is well acknowledged in various capacities as novelist, short-storywriter, critic, script and travel writer. The English translation of Kalthamara, ‘Orchid’ was prescribed as a textbook in the Clark Atlanta University, Georgia, U.S.A.

Amrita TV’s Christmas Fare To Keep Viewers In Great Spirits

Amrita TV Christmas Programs 2011

When Christmas beckons with the chanting of carols, Xmas trees decked in tinsel, candles and candy and the aroma of oven hot, freshly baked cakes, Amrita TV joins in the season of hope with programmes that will bring good cheer.

After attending midnight mass in Church, viewers of Amrita TV wake up on the 25th morning to the dulcet notes of the freshest songs from the latest Christmas releases on the block, songs that give a foretaste of the fare prepared for the festive season in Favourites at 8.30 am.

Prime time highlight Sauhridathinte Maruppacha at 9 pm, presents a rare instance of enduring friendship that lasts a lifetime, of bosom buddies who sat on the same bench in school, went to the same college , entered the same profession and stood by each other in every crises- Mohanlal, Priyadarshan, Ashok kumar and M.G Sreekumar . Lal has been the pivot of every Priyan movie, Sreekumar soared to success humming Lal’s songs, while Ashok’s ‘Thiranottam’ demonstrated that Mohanlal was hero material for the first time and his ‘Coolie’ showcased Sreekumar’s talent to the industry. The show catches these steadfast friends in a reminiscent mood ,as they recall their school scrapes and campus escapades.

In Divya Nakshatram at 11.30 am, His Holiness Arch Bishop Mar Cleemis Catholica Bava delivers his special yuletide message to Malayalis all over the world and sheds light on the added relevance that Christmas has, in these bleak times of hatred and violence.

Beena Antony, star of the week’s gala episode of Taste of Kerala at 12.30 pm riffles through her recipe collection to spill the masala on her favourite mutton curry, which she brews for the viewer’s benefit. She then takes the lid off her memories to give classified information on her courtship with her husband: where they met, how it developed, when she realized that he was her soulmate, who confessed their feelings first and so on.

Ottayilathanal, a simple but touching Xmas tale directed by Baiju G Melila with KPAC Lalitha essaying the central character will go on air at 2.00pm. Star strewn entertainer Doubles that assured a smooth re-entry for yesteryear diva Nadia Moidu, by casting her with Mammootty as his fraternal twin will spice up the afternoon at 2.30 pm.

Padmapriya, the adorable rebel , reveals her defiant streak in Abhinayathinte Padmadalam at 7.00 pm, expressing opinions other actresses wouldn’t dare to articulate. Living legend Yesudas travels back in time, tracing the trajectory of his 50 year marathon innings in playback singing and revisiting the important milestones in his illustrious career in Alapanathinte Aranoottandu at 8pm.

In V- Jayasurya at 8.30pm , ‘Vijaya’ Surya who is on track to superstardom, shares his experiences on the sets of ‘Umappenninu Uriyadappayyan’, that baptized him into cinema; comments on the good rapport he has with Saji Surendran, director of his biggest hits; clarifies why he doesn’t insist on flying solo and being the sole hero in his films; the great chemistry he shares with Anoop Menon his co-star in ‘Cocktail’ and ‘Beautiful’, that has scripted new success sagas in Mollywood.

Smitha Sivaji
MARCOM, Amrita TV

Amrita TV Christmas Special Films 2011

Shikkar

Amrita TV Christmas Special Malayalam Films 2011 are Shikkar and Doubles.

Doubles

Christmas Special Premier Films 2011 On Malayalam Television Channels.

Amrita TV Launches New Film Review Show Projector

Projector

Amrita TV’s Projector is a clear-sighted film review programme that checks out the latest lab-fresh movies to hit the screens and estimates the watch-worthiness of the new releases  by a 360 degree all- round exploration of its key elements. It will be telecast every Sunday at 7.30pm.

The opening segment Black and White starts off by unwrapping the bare bones of the story and hinting at the direction in which the tale is heading, without giving away the plot high points or the climax. It then gives a critical appraisal by taking stock of the artistic merit and mass appeal of the movie. Most reviewers take it upon themselves to help the viewer make up his mind by praising the flick to the skies or panning it to shreds . Projector travels along a novel route by presenting both the pros and cons of the release and then leaving it to the viewer to judge for himself whether the film is a must- view or can be given the go- by. 3 white or positive aspects of the movie are balanced with 3 black or negative points, using scenes and dialogues from the cinema to support the arguments. By not forcing the critic’s views upon the viewer or attempting to colour his opinion Projector takes a fair, even –handed approach to movie reviewing .

Nagra, the next segment concerns itself with a feature that is at the heart of every cinema-its song sequences that can spell the difference between a hit or a flop. The catchiest numbers of the brand new motion pictures are introduced and analysed in terms of its hummability, melody, composition, picturisation, its role in developing the story and so on. The music is then graded and the top 5 songs of each week are picked out.

Final Cut is the 3rd segment of the programme in which it is the turn of an expert to have his say. A well-known celebrity from the film fraternity voices his opinions on one of the releases . He rates it on a scale of 1-10, defending his score with reasons and justifications and convincing the audience with the soundness of his explanations.

By combining expert estimation with impartial summarization and balancing the favorable with the adverse, Projector takes the critical art of film reviewing to new heights.

Smitha Sivaji
MARCOM, Amrita TV