Bhasha Mandakini
Progress Report
15.10.2004 - 15.10.2005

What is Bhasha Mandakini?

Bhasha Mandakini is a visual encyclopedia of Indian languages. It is aimed to capture the universe of each language in this programme. Language teaching along with teaching of the structure includes teaching of the appropriate language use and the knowledge about its history, its people, its geographical & intellectual space, its culture and literature. Thus it is proposed to capture the four major aspects of language universe viz., Land & People, Culture, Literature and Structure of language in 1000 episodes of 28 minutes duration for each Indian language. It is expected to cover all 22 schedule languages as well as minor and minority languages of India.

These episodes will be academic. They will have archival value as well as a popular appeal. The episodes should not be just educational programme but it should have info entertainment value. It is therefore have to be very creative and technically of very high standard.

Under Land & People, the geographical information where the language is spoken as well as demographic information about the speakers of language in the state and outside state. Information about Diaspora will also be given. Historical development in terms of pre early medieval and modern periods will be traced. Linguistic profile of major language communities as well as minor language communities in the state where the language is spoken will be given.

Under the Culture, Folklore, Fine Arts, Arts & Architecture, Festivals & Rituals, Food & Dress, Theatre & Performances as well as Cinema will be covered.

Under Literature, Oral & Written literatures, literatures of major & minor languages, history of literature of major language of the state in terms of old medieval & modern period, different genres & milestones in terms of important authors & important literary works.

Under Language teaching, it is decided to teach language as a second language and target learners are Indians as well as non-resident Indians medium will be English and latter it could be dubbed into many languages. All the four skills viz., reading, writing, speaking & listening will be taught with emphasis on communication. Exposure to culture and literature will allow greater awareness about language and will enhance the language learning ability.

This project is basically visualized to create awareness about different languages and cultures of India, to understand commonalities shared by all languages as well as to bring out unique features of that particular language/language community. It will bring out India as a socio-linguistic area as well as India as a cultural mosaic. It will ultimately lead to National Integration.

Bhasha Mandakini is appropriately taken up by CIIL, as CIIL is the prime institution of the nation and is entrusted with coordinating the activities with Universities, State and Central Government Institutions and Non Governmental Organisations. Secondly CIIL is a single largest institution engaged in second language teaching and has largest number of expertise in second language teaching. CIIL has prepared different need based courses which are available in print media, audio cassettes and on-line teaching and lastly, as a subordinate office of the Ministry of HRD, the CIIL is entrusted with the responsibility of a nodal agency to consider the needs and release necessary funds to other agencies involved in the project.

Following are the steps involved in production of episodes, both out- sourcing and In-house

A: Out-sourcing the production of Episodes

1. Identification of producers/Directors:

• Applications with the previous work of the directors are scrutinized and ranked based on certain parameters.
  
  
• The topics are allotted to them based on their ranks and abilities to handle different subjects.

2. Concept note:

• The concept of the topic given to producer is discussed with the producer and then he/she is expected to send a written concept note.
• 
  If the concept note is accepted by the Language Advisory Committee, the producer is requested to submit academic paper on the concept.
• 
  If the concept is not accepted, the producer is dropped from the panel.

3. Academic paper:

• Generally research work takes two months.
  
  
• The Language Advisory Committee reviews the scripts and gives detailed comments. After comments are incorporated, the revised script is scrutinized by the LAC. Once LAC accepts the academic script, the producer is requested to prepare a production script.
  
• In case of Kannada, scholars are identified, academic papers are written by them and then these academic scripts are given to the producers.

4. Production script:

• Producer either gives a demonstration of how he is going to handle the script audio visually and then submits the production script or he/she directly submits production script and then has discussions with LAC members.
  
  
• Once LAC approves the production script, the work order is issued. Only after the work order is issued the contract between CIIL and producer gets finalized which entails financial implications.

5. Rough Cut:

• Generally after a month, first rough cut is submitted by the producer. A preview is done by the Project Advisory Committee. Both the technical and academic comments are given. These comments are incorporated by the producer.

6. The Final pro-cut:

• After final cut along with all the necessary details mentioned in the work order are submitted by the producer and then the funds are released.

Out-sourced episode costs Rs. 2 Lakhs.

B. In-house Production:

1. Identification of personnel apart from those available at CIIL."
   
   
2. Academic /Production scripts are prepared
   
   
3. Among the producers who have already worked withCIIL, the best ones are selected to direct the episodes.
   
   
4. Discussions are held among the whole group and at a stretch two to three episodes are produced to reduce the cost.

In-house production costs Rs. 75,000/- per episode.

The Status Report of the production of the episodes for Bhasha Mandakini as on
6. 10. 2005
(Details attached: Appendix   II)

Out- sourced episodes Episodes Completed: Bangla              18 Tamil                23 Kannada           15 Marathi             5	Rough –Cut received: Bangla              10 Tamil                2 Kannada           3 Marathi             2	Work Order issued: Bangla              3 Tamil                12 Kannada          Marathi             7
Production script received Bangla              5 Tamil                5 Kannada           3 Marathi             3	In- house episodes Bangla              2 Tamil                2 Kannada           2 Marathi             1

Purchase of equipments (Appendix III)

1. Purchases made

Equipment	Date of purchase	Amount
DME Switcher (Special Effect generator)	August 2004	Rs. 30 Lakhs
Scanners & Digital Video Players	August 2005	Rs. 5 lakhs
Edit Suit of Avid Non-linear Edit System	September 2004	Rs. 16 lakhs
Sophisticated storage device	October 2004	Rs. 82 lakhs
Cool Light System	May 2005	Rs. 8 lakhs
Class room studio furniture	September 2005	Rs. 1.65 lakhs
Studio for interview, student gallery and chromo key background	September 2005	Rs. 2.75 lakhs
DME Switcher (Special Effect generator) and one digital Camera	October 2005	Rs. 25 lakhs
Cool lights system, two cameras, monitors, talk back system, tele prompters, audio mixers, mikes, booms & accessories	Yet to be ordered	Rs. 95 lakhs (estimated)
Furniture for Studio-II	Yet to be ordered	Rs. 2 lakhs (estimated)

2. Storage facilities

Equipment	Date of Purchase	Amount
Storage Room Equipment and Storage Racks	Yet to be ordered	Rs. 25 lakhs (estimated)