Film director and actress Revathi is telling a story. Not a film story; but the story of Ross Islands. Revathi and her team have started off a light and sound show, called Ross Show that is organized by India tourism Development Corporation. This was done as part of the development of tourism in Ross islands, an island that is a part of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Now this is something totally different from making a movie
This is a task that requires technical expertise and research. Even though it is challenging, there is a lot of scope for experimentation. There was a smile on Revathi's face when the first Ross Show happened in December last year, a smile with sound and light!
Ross Islands
It was during 1788-89 that the British conducted a survey of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. It was done as part of the British shifting to the islands. Some of them even started living there. But in 1796, the British decided not to stay in Andaman's any more. It was due to the rising number of deaths in the island. Even though the British built a hospital in Ross Islands in 1789, the death toll still rose.
But then, the British understood one thing. The islands were the perfect place to kill someone. That is how the British built and developed the Viper Jail and Cellular Jail to put behind bars those protesters who was part of the first freedom struggle in 1857. But still, the British needed a place for them to live in so that they can control the administration activities in the jails. They found out a place. Sir Daniel Ross was the Marine Surveyor during that time, and they decided to put his name for the island that they discovered. That is how the name Ross Islands came into being.
On March 10 in 1858, British man Dr. James Pattison Walker and his team reached Andaman. Ross Islands were 2km away from Port Blair. The British brought freedom fighters who were arrested to Andaman, and that is how they built buildings in the islands. After construction of the buildings, British would put the freedom fighters in Viper Jail. Ever since this place was under the British control until India got independence. Now, it is under the control of Indian Navy.
Ross Show
Since the last three years, Revathi's soul and body was immersed in Ross Show. Revathi took up the responsibility of reviving and retelling the story of the history of Ross Islands through a motion picture, and this was done for the Tourism Development Corporation. The project required at least 4 crores.
Revathi, Alphonse Roy who is a wildlife documentary-maker and architect Aparna Karve completed this project last year on December 3rd, after three years of hard-work. Now, tourists who visit Ross Island can enjoy Ross Show, a wonderful light and sound show that happens every evening
If you thought this was just another show, you got that wrong. It is a visual treat, and is a series of unexpected events put together. Bakery Building, one of the first buildings that were constructed by the British in Ross Islands is the main character of the show. By using 3D mapping, the building is shown in different forms. There, history is born again.
First 8 months was taken up to complete the research. Revathi and her team visited libraries and historical places and took out all the available details of Ross Island. They made a motion picture from all that. History must not be twisted while re-telling. Hence, the research was done with utmost care. When the historians showed a go signal for the motion picture, the project took to the second step.
3D Mapping
Revathi and her team lived in Ross Island for many days to give life to the project. They even learnt about the small electric wires that are to be used for the light and sound show. Revathi said that using 3D mapping for such a project is one of the first time in India. Each and every minute detail about Bakery Building was studied. According to that, graphics were prepared. 3D mapping, 2D graphics, light, and sound were all brought together to create the Ross Show. More buildings from the Islands will be used for the Ross Show.
Gulzar, who is a renowned lyricist in Bollywood, has scripted the story for this show and narrated it in Hindi as well. Shabana Azmi has narrated it in English. Shankar Ehsan Loy has composed the music. Tabi Parekh has done the background score. Graphic artist Aravindan and his team created graphics that had life in them. Topping all that, Resul Pokkutty has done the sound designing for the show. Gulzar's poems and a song have been used for the show in both English and Hindi. In the light and sound show, the sound is as important as the visual. Revathi says that Resul Pookkutty has created a magical world with the best sound designing. Another speciality is that, it is for the first time that 11.1 Dolby Surround is being used for outdoors for Ross show. The earthquake that happened in Ross Islands in 1941 is shown in Ross show. The earth is not shaking. But with his technical skills, Resul Pookutty has created that effect with his sound, testifies Revathi.
Light and Sound Show, again
"The team got great confidence after completing the Ross show. When they started off, it was a venture that was totally unaware to the team. But they learnt everything. Even the minute details were taken care of. Therefore, it is not tough to take up such projects in the future also. But nothing will be done in a hurry."
"Ross Show was a government project. Hence, there were certain difficulties. The navy force in Ross Islands stood by them for all the help. It was of great help. When Ross Show was completed, I felt that such projects can be done in different parts of the country. Such projects are of great help to the tourism department."
"It was during preparations for Ross Show that I did the movie Two States. Now, I want a break and want to spend some time with my daughter Mahi. This is just a break before starting more ventures."
Revathi requests one thing to all those who go to Andamans, "You must go to Ross Islands, and don't forget to watch the Ross Show."