Four years since the Software Industry Promotion Agency (Sipa) initiated a project to make the animation version of Mahajanaka in 2010, it is ready for release. The project has been produced jointly by 15 local animation studios, with the permission of His Majesty the King.
Mahajanaka
is also recognised by Sipa as the national animation of the year.
Models in the animation look unlike 3D, but they are intentionally created to have a combined sense of 2D and 3D as the audience can feel the lines of the characters' hair, which also appears like a pencil sketch, said Nop Dharmavanich, managing director of Tomogram Studio.
The character design is similar to the cartoon version, which was created by famed political cartoonist Chai Rachawat, but is now presented in a new design.
"The challenge in terms of creating the animated version is that the additional part must not distort the original version of the King's book and the entire production process was closely supervised by and done in consultation with the Royal Palace," Nop said.
In the animated movie, some elements were added for the sense of enjoyment and entertainment such as war scenes. But for the serious part such as the dialogue between Mahajanaka and Nang Mekala (the goddess of lightning), few changes have been made as some parts of the dialogue contains dhamma puzzles, the implications of which the audience might have difficulty understanding and interpreting.
According to the team, because the story of Mahajanaka is based on the King's book, it is important to maintain the original content while keeping a touch of animation. As a result, balancing both sides was a challenge. Mahajanaka The Animation is expected to reach a wider audience than the book and the cartoon, particularly among secondary school and university students who will be able to relate to the underlying principles — strength, perseverance and wisdom. In the past, it has been difficult for youths to take the story's lessons with them, but with the animation it's expected that they will understand with ease.
"Without this project, local studios would have been unable to work together. This is the first project in Thailand in which we have had to work closely, share knowledge, experiences and ideas," Nop said.
Sipa plans to promote the story of Mahajanaka abroad and the animated film will have English subtitles.
Nitipat Somsaman, president of the Thai Animation & Computer Graphics Association (Tacga) noted that the 3D animation of Mahajanaka is produced in full HD quality with a sense of both Thai and Indian mythology. The 112-minute long animated film comprises three major parts — the Birth, the Fight and the Wisdom.
The film will be screened free of charge at cinemas at Siam Paragon, Ratchayothin, Pinklao, Rangsit, Megabangna in Bangkok and also in Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Nakhon Si Thammarat, on Saturday at 10am and 3pm.
Tickets are being issued at the Public Relations Department in Bangkok and at provincial public relations offices in each city.
Television viewers will also be able to enjoy Mahajanaka The Animation on all television channels on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, one scene a day, with timings yet to be scheduled by each channel.
