SANTHOSH GEORGE KULANGARA: TRAVELLER WHO BROUGHT THE WORLD TO THE DRAWING ROOM
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| Santhosh George Kulangara, c/o Asianet, Thiruvananthapuram |
On October 24, 1997, a young man with a movie camera crossed over to Nepal from the border town of Gorakhpur . But the scenes captured by that camera required another 4 years for the Malayali TV spectators to see. The delay was not the fault of Santhosh George Kulangara, the young cameraman. Rather, Doordarshan and other channels had been skeptic about its acceptability by armchair travelers. However, the world travel of Santhosh has since been a phenomenal success with new episodes being telecast even in the 10th year running.
Santhosh George Kulangara had been in the travel-related media activities since his Pre Degree days. He did about 10 telefilms for Doordarshan after completing his graduation in media studies. A programme on the historical sites of Kerala prompted him to plan a bigger canvas of travel through India. However, with Doordarshan and other TV channels not willing to do it, he had to take up the challenge himself. In order to reduce the cost of production, he chose to carry out all the technical work himself. However, even after giving edited episodes, the channels were reluctant to touch them. Finally, after Asianet News Channel started functioning in 2001, did the first part of Santhosh’s travel see the light of the day.
But once the telecast began, it revolutionized the viewership. Santhosh undertakes trips of 15 to 20 days duration. The material thus generated is sufficient for about two months of telecast. In the meanwhile, the next leg of the journey would be undertaken.
He shoots, edits and prepares the script. Only dubbing is being done by a different person.
His travels have so far covered 80 countries during the last 10 years. According to him, he is happier while returning from a travel assignment, unlike other travelers. This is because he is eager to share the findings with the spectators.
Finally, he is getting ready for a space journey. That trip, which was to have taken place in 2010, is getting delayed due to technical reasons.
Courtesy:
Mathrubhumi, December 19, 2010
Contributed by: Administrator
