Partha Thakur is non-fiction programming head for Essel Vision Production

MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) has announced the appointment of Partha Thakur as non-fiction programming head for Essel Vision Productions. He will take charge from 3 November.

Zeel is looking at strengthening its content and develop different genres of production. Thakur will report to Essel Vision Productions business head Akash Chawla. With over 15 years of experience in media and entertainment, he has produced content for broadcasters such as Zee TV, Star plus, Star World, Sony Entertainment Television, Colors, MTV, Sun TV, Vijay TV, NDTV, Pogo, Disney Network, UTV and Fox Traveler.

He has worked with Wizcraft Television, Miditech Productions, Optimystix Entertainment, Searchlight Productions and MTV India. He has worked on multiple seasons of shows such as Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul, IIFA Awards, GIMA Awards, Apsara Awards, Zee Rishtey Awards, Dare to Dance, amongst others.

Thakur has also worked on shows in South Africa, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. His last assignment was at Sol Productions as the non-fiction head and creative director.

Essel Vision’s objective is to be a one-stop shop for all film, television, digital, events and IP creation related services where it will produce, co-produce, market and distribute.

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source:
http://www.exchange4media.com/58070_zeel-appoints-partha-thakur-as-non-fiction-head-essel-vision.html

http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/production-house/film-production/partha-thakur-appointed-as-essel-vision-non-fiction-head-141106

Attenborough’s ‘Gandhi’ lives on

Attenborough’s ‘Gandhi’ lives on 

BRILLIANT EFFORT: The richest tribute to Gandhi has been the 1982 film

BY MAHENDRA VED - 1 NOVEMBER 2014

MOHANDAS Karamchand Gandhi, who led India’s freedom movement against the British, is gaining currency beyond the currency notes on which his photo is published. On his 145th birth anniversary on Oct 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a cleanliness campaign that was joined by political opposition and critics, their grins replacing grimaces for the cameras.

Gandhi was denied the Nobel thrice. That “mistake” is now corrected with the Norwegians choosing child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi for pursuing the Gandhian ideals.

To my mind, and I am not alone, the richest tribute to Gandhi has been the 1982 film of the same name. The followers of his ideals, everywhere, shall remain grateful to its producer and director, Sir Richard Attenborough, who died in August. His film contributed immensely to place Gandhi’s life and work on the global map. India, too, found recognition that was either grudging or absent in the developed world.

It covers Gandhi’s life from a defining moment in 1893 as he is thrown off a train in South Africa for being in a whites-only compartment, and concludes with his assassination and funeral in 1948. A practising Hindu, Gandhi’s embracing of other faiths is vividly depicted.

Immortalising Gandhi on the celluloid was not easy. The film was conceived for 20 years and got the final push from then prime minister Indira Gandhi. She received flak from many, who objected to someone from the former colonial power and one who had played a war hero and not a peace-loving man in movies when young.

There was resentment at Attenborough being assigned the privileged facilitation of shooting across India at the actual spots where Gandhi lived and worked. The government was seen as discriminating against Indian film-makers, and there were many who had won international recognition.

Parliamentarians demanded a debate. Then information minister Vasant Sathe read out passages from the Gandhi script (written by John Briley; it contributed immensely to the film’s success). His persuasive rendering of the way Briley and Attenborough interpreted Gandhi brought tears to the eyes of senior members of parliament who had marched with Gandhi.

By any reckoning, it was a tremendous filmmaking effort. More than 300,000 “extras” were used for the funeral scenes, the most for any film, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Attenborough used Indian artistes , and not white men with brown make-up, to play the big names of the freedom movement. Roshan Seth, who played Jawaharlal Nehru and Rohini Hatangadi who played Kasturba, Gandhi’s wife, although they won the Bafta Awards, got branded for life, unable to outdo their Gandhi performances in their latter careers.

Having auditioned many leading Indian actors, Attenborough chose his own Gandhi in Ben Kingsley. Son of a Gujarati, born Krishna Bhanji, he brilliantly portrayed Gandhi through his evolution over 55 years.

The white characters were played by some of the best actors of that era — Trevor Howard, Sir John Gielgud, Sir John Mills, Geraldine Page, Martin Sheen, Candice Bergen and many others.

Attenborough was fair to history and to characters, by and large. There was suspicion, however, that he did guard Britain’s “sovereign” interests. His General Dyer, who had infamously ordered firing on unarmed civilians’ rally, killing more than 400 at Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab, had no insignia depicting the British sovereign, on his cap. Still photographs of Edward Fox, who played the general, distributed at the film’s media preview, however, showed the crown. When I pointed this out, he apologised.

I walked up to him saying that I had extensively reported on the criticism of the project by the Indian intelligentsia. But on seeing the film, I had “converted”. He smiled, and playfully punched me.

The criticism died down once the film was released in India and abroad, taking the world of cinema by storm. It won a record eight Oscars at the 55th annual Academy Awards. Besides Best Film, and Attenborough as the Best Director, and Best Screenplay by Briley, the Best Actor Oscar went to Kingsley.

Bhanu Athaiya, who painstakingly designed costumes that fitted Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, Ghaffar Khan, Acharya Kripalani, Sarojini Naidu and others, and won accolades from those who had seen them all, also got the first Oscar for an Indian.

Of the numerous moving scenes, Gandhi’s funeral scene was perhaps the best. As his ashes are immersed in the holy Ganga, there is a voiceover: “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it. Always.”

Attenborough’s film was a wholesome interpretation of what Gandhi stood for. His Gandhi is still discussed in classrooms and homes across the globe. But to say that it should be the only one would defeat the very idea Gandhi stood for. Views may differ. Gandhi has even been pitted against his assassin, Nathuram Godse.

A proposal to install a second statue in London has been opposed by some British Indians. We are living in times when controversies are the staple of the media and social discourse.

To confine Attenborough’s work in terms of Gandhi alone would be wrong. As an actor and director, he was part of too many classic films of his era to be listed here. Indian legend Satyajit Ray had him in Shatranj Ke Khiladi. The younger generation would remember him as the failed theme park developer in Jurassic Park.

He was an untiring advocate of British Cinema that, like much of the celluloid world, remains threatened by Hollywood’s onslaught. Other cinemas, particularly Indian, now that it is 119 years old and hopefully, matured, should draw a lesson from Attenborough so as not to get swept out in its zeal for globalisation.

mahendraved07@gmail.com

From: New Straights Times Online

PhD Entrance Test: University of Mumbai

Following from Prof Dr Sunder Rajdeep: 

Date and Time of Entrance Test :- 8th November, 2014 at 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Starting date for acceptance of application form : -14th October, 2014.

Last date for acceptance of application form : - 28th October, 2014.

Eligibility: - As per Annexure-I (VCD No. Exam/Thesis/Univ./VCD/2414 of 2010). Please refer Annexure-II (The relevant University circular 441 of 2005, for O.5473 and O.5476)

Apply for the Asia Journalism Fellowship 2015

Following from Prof Ang Peng Hwa, President, International Communication Association:

Details: http://ajf.sg/applying/

Applications are now open for the 2015 round of the Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF), which will run in Singapore from June 2 to August 22 next year.

Since its launch in 2009, AJF has evolved into a highly prized mid-career programme for outstanding media professionals. The Fellowship brings around 15 journalists from across Asia to Singapore for three months. Supported by Temasek Foundation and Nanyang Technological University, AJF fully sponsors Fellow’s participation.

“The Fellowship honours the selected journalists’ achievements so far,” said AJF Director Cherian George. “But, more importantly, it recognises that they have even more to offer their profession and their society. The programme aims to boost the Fellows’ competency and their commitment, through an intense and even life-changing experience.”

Fellows are based at NTU’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, one of Asia’s leading schools of its kind. They take part in seminars and workshops designed to sharpen professional skills and deepen their understanding of key trends shaping their profession. Eased of their usual deadline pressures, Fellows also get to work on an independent project and pursue their intellectual interests, guided by professors and other experts on and off campus.

Said Charles Salmon, Chair of the Wee Kim Wee School, “This is an amazing opportunity to write, reflect and experiment as a journalist. Participants in this programme will have access to innovative digital resources and ground-breaking researchers in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.”

AJF also provides access to key newsmakers in Singapore’s public sector, business community and civil society, offering insights into the challenges faced by one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan hub cities.

“Year after year, the AJF Fellows have shared how the programme has helped them professionally and personally,” said Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive of Temasek Foundation. “Many of them have continued to keep in close contact after the fellowship, and even visiting each other in their home countries. It has been enriching to see how the Fellows engage each other in lively discussions on the social, economic and political issues of the day in their communities. This spirit of active engagement, friendship, and connectedness embodies Temasek Foundation’s vision of building a shared future in Asia.”

So far, more than 90 journalists from 16 different Asian nations have gone through the programme. One of them is Pune-based Times of India assistant editor Radheshyam Jadhav (Class of 2013), who recently received the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for Civic Journalism.

“Among the best parts were brainstorming sessions with Asian experts, and residing with fellows who come from all parts of Asia,” he said. “AJF also helped me to enhance my understanding of the rapidly changing media and communication scene, and honed my professional skills, leading to a basic shift in my approach towards journalism. It gave me a broader perspective on developments that are unfolding in the region and it helped me to get connected with Asian journalists, who are now my extended family.”

The Fellowship is open to mid-career Asia-based journalists with at least five years of experience. The full criteria and application forms are on our website.

www.ajf.sg

17 October 2014

International Communication Management Conference

Following from Mr. Rahul Gadekar:

Dear Colleagues

Greetings!!

MICA is delighted to announce its 2^nd International Communication Management Conference (ICMC) on 19th, 20th and 21st February, 2015 at MICA, Ahmedabad, 

This year’s theme is ‘Digital Future- Content, Community & Communication’.

 ICMC 2015- Call for Papers

This email is a ‘Call for Papers’ for academicians and scholars as well as practitioners. The deadline for submission of Abstracts is 15 October, 2014. More details about the theme as well as the guidelines for submission are mentioned at the following link: http://www.mica.ac.in/icmc/conference-timelines

You may also find additional information regarding registration (fees and process) at this web page. For queries regarding Plenary Sessions and Sponsorship, please email us at icmc@micamail.in. You may also feel free to get in touch with the:

Conference Chair: Prof T T Sreekumar, sreekumar@micamail.in

Or Conference Coordinators:

Ms. Chetasi Kane, chetasi@micamail.in

Mr. Rahul Gadekar, rahul.micore@micamail.in

Mr. Rahul Mane, rahulmane@micamail.in

About MICA

Established in 1991, MICA (formerly known as Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad), is the only residential institute in the country and perhaps in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to creating Leadership in Strategic Marketing and Communication. MICA is an autonomous, non-profit institution, offering a wide-range of academic programmes during the past two decades, MICA now has three residential programs - the Post Graduate Programme (PGP), the Crafting Creative Communications (CCC) and the Fellow Programme in Management-Communications (FPM-C). 

Its spirit lies in its grasping of contemporariness, addressing the needs of an ever-changing environment. The MICA brand assures effective delivery of Strategic Marketing and Communication solutions to the industry, government and community. Today, it is the alma-mater of professionals serving in leadership positions in some of the best known companies in India and the world, in marketing, brand management, research & analytics, advertising, media, digital and other related businesses.

About ICMC:

MICA pioneered an Annual Conference series on themes and issues in Communication Management in 2014. The conference series provides a platform for bringing together scholars, activists and practitioners to discuss frontier developments in communication theories and practices. Each conference has a thematic outline, inviting scholarly contributions around the focal theme. Papers conceptualizing perennial and emerging issues in communications management would also be included. The idea takes into cognizance the significance of multiple linkages of interdisciplinary and critical scholarship in communication management.

ICMC 2014:

ICMC 2014’s theme was Managing Health Communication- People, Programmes and Products. The 3 Day conference saw a participation of 200 participants which included academicians, practitioners, government bodies as well as celebrities. Some of the themes from last year’s conference were: ICT in Health, Gender and Health, Surrogacy and Communication for HIV/AIDS among others.  (For more, visit: http://micaicmc.wordpress.com/)

We look forward to your participation in making ICMC 2015 bigger and better than ICMC 2014.

Thank You.

Warm regards,
---------------------------------------------------------------

Team MICA ICMC 2015

International Communication Management Conference (ICMC)

MICA, Ahmedabad

Shela Village, Ahmedabad – 380 058, Gujarat State, INDIA.

Phone : +91-2717-308250; Fax: +91-2717-308349

International Conference in Burdwan. West Bengal

Following from Prof. Tapas Ray:

Contemporary Media Scenario in South Asian Region

A two days International Conference

University of Burdwan & MAKAIAS

19-20th November, 2014

South Asia today is the location of some of the most turbulent societies of the world, which

confront problems ranging from ethnic separatist movements in India and Sri Lanka to
challenges related to the restoration of democracy in Nepal and Maldives to the role of military
in Pakistan to terrorism and developmental issues in Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Also located
in this region is a country – Bhutan – with a unique perspective on development, namely Gross
National Happiness.
Such a diverse, complex, and changing context makes it particularly important for the media to
remain impartial, maintain the utmost accuracy, and offer insightful analyses in providing news
and information to the public of the region and the world at large. This requires a democratic
attitude on the part of political parties and media houses towards reporters in the field and news
editors in newsrooms and studios, so that they may work independently and maintain high
professional standards. However, it is often heard that such independence and adherence to
professional norms are sorely lacking.
South Asia is also home to a large segment of the world's illiterate population, for which visual
media and radio are the primary sources of information. With more and more corporate interests
entering this sector, the intentions of these news providers have come under scrutiny.
These circumstances make it necessary for academics and practitioners to meet and discuss these
issues in order to evolve a road map towards an improved news delivery mechanism for the
region.
With this in view, the conference will study forms of communication and information networks
currently existing among South Asian countries, at both state and non-state levels, and explore
ways in which social, political, economic, cultural and technical factors influence these
structures and processes. It will also attempt to determine whether current strategies of
communication are adequate for enhanced relations among the countries of South Asia. The
conference will produce a working paper on possible ways and means of instituting a new
communication order, keeping in mind the bottlenecks and availability of social support and
technological inputs in the age of globalization.

Papers may address the following sub-themes:
(a) Political system, political parties and media in South Asia (b) Globalization and network of media across South Asia
(c) Corporatization of media houses – management policy and ethical norms
(d) Media and elections in South Asia
(e) Globalization, neoliberalism and South Asian cinema in transition
(f) Social movements and social media – the South Asian experiences
(g) Commercialization, consumerism and convergence – media policy and ownership in
South Asia
(h) Transnational media and growth of the market – redefining media & advertising in South
Asia
(i) SAARC and its organization – building a communication bridges in South Asian region
(j) Road to prosperity – notions of rural communication in South Asia

MPORTANT DATES:
October 21, 2014: Last date of submission of abstract (maximum 500 words) and author profile
(100 words).
October 23, 2014: Notification of acceptance of abstract.
November 8, 2014: Last date for submission of full paper (maximum 5000 words including
references in APA style).

Papers should be mailed simultaneously to Rajesh Das and Tapas
Ray .

REGISTRATION:
For Paper Presenters: Rs. 2,000.00
For Participants: Rs. 1,000.00

The registration fee can be be paid through Demand Draft (DD) drawn in favour of "The Finance
Officer, University of Burdwan", payable at State Bank of India (SBI), Burdwan University
Branch, Burdwan and should be sent to the following address:

Head of the Department
Department of Mass Communication
University of Burdwan
Golapbag, Burdwan - 713104
West Bengal

UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Mass Communication – Challenges, Trends and Future

Following from Prof. Deepu Joy     

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication! The Department of Oriental Languages, St. Stephen’s College, Uzhavoor along with IIMC, is organizing a National Seminar on “Mass Communication – Challenges, Trends and Future” on November 12th and 13th, 2014.

This UGC sponsored seminar will explore the confluence of journalism, new media, and technology in mass communications and the impact of convergence technologies on the individual and society.

It is my pleasure to invite you for the seminar. We would be grateful if you could author a paper, which will brought out as a publication (with ISBN 978-930000-2-1 and ISBN 978-81-930000-3-8). Please find the theme list, registration details etc. at http://ststephenslibrary.com/?page_id=213 for your kind perusal. 

Please contact Jasimudeen S(+91 9895786534) for more details. Hearty welcome!

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Deepu Joy     

Asst. Professor(IIMC) & Seminar Convenor