Bollywood Trade News Network

MAYA RAVAN was unveiled recently in Chennai amidst a constellation of dignitaries and eminent guests. Honorable Member of Parliament, Smt. Kanimozhi, and veteran Film Star, Padmashri Dr. Kamal Haasan, graced this occasion where they unveiled the MAYA RAVAN DVD. The first DVD was presented by Dr. Kamal Haasan to Smt. Kanimozhi in a glittering function and a thunderous applause.

MAYA RAVAN is a path breaking interpretation of the epic Ramayana, which has the trappings of a truly global dance drama - perhaps the first to be performed by an Indian in more ways than one. This production has lent a completely new dimension and definition to the world of entertainment by its unique treatment to the subject. The testament to the same comes from the fact that MAYA RAVAN ran to full houses and numerous standing ovations in India, USA, Middle East. It is next moving to Malaysia and Singapore.

Choreographed, directed and acted by veteran Bharatnatyam Dancer and Film Actress 'Shobana' and her dance troupe, MAYA RAVAN has been an engrossing experience for dance, music and art lovers across the world. The production is narrated in English by Indian film artists like Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Milind Soman, Suhasini Maniratnam, Revathy, Rohini, Tabu, Sameer Soni and Mohanlal.

With the intent to extend the life of such a brilliant piece of Indian dance form, art, culture and history, Shemaroo Entertainment has released the same on DVDs at a global level.

For the first time the numerous art lovers and fans will be treated to Shobana's stills from the ballet performances across multiple forms of new media. It is estimated that MAYA RAVAN would be available in 50 countries to more than 100 Million people across an unparalleled array of platforms including DVD, Mobile, VOD, IPTV and Internet among others.

As part of the future plans, there is also the thought of looking at exploring the possibility of taking MAYA RAVAN to Broadway audiences in USA and Europe. This is probably for the first time an Indian musical woven around the traditional form of art would touch so many people, so many countries, and so many continents in so many ways. As noted film maker Mani Ratnam said, ''MAYA RAVAN is a one of its kind extravaganza''.

Hiren Gada, Director, Shemaroo Entertainment, shares his thoughts, ''MAYA RAVAN narrates India's most popular epic 'Ramayan', in a contemporary fashion, through music and dance. This is an attempt by Shemaroo to connect India's cultural milieu to audiences across. With MAYA RAVAN now on DVDs, this dance ballet will certainly continue to remain alive, entertaining and enlightening masses all over.''

Adds danseuse and National Award Winning Film Actress Padmashri Shobana, ''MAYA RAVAN is my effort to rekindle and spread the spirit of our culture nationally and internationally, embracing and adopting all the aspects of the value chain ranging from traditional form of dance to popular forms, and technology. The Mantra being - Culture to people and people to culture - Globally'.