|
MUMBAI:
Commemorating the 66th year of India’s Independence,
Animal Planet will celebrate country’s wildlife and natural
diversity through a month-long programming slot 'Yeh Mera
India'.
From
15 August, every night at 8 pm, the special programming lineup
will rejoice the country’s iconic and enchanting wildlife,
epic landscapes and colourful natural beauty.
To
mark the celebration, Animal Planet will also launch Yeh Mera
India Anthem, a three minute multi-lingual song, composed
and performed by renowned music personalities like Lesle Lewis,
Shaan, Mathangi and Monali.
The
one-hour slot will take viewers on an enthralling journey
through India, from the Himalayan Mountains, down the mighty
River Ganges, and across to the lost world of the North East,
to explore its iconic wildlife, secret locations and exotic
terrains.
The
Anthem is a tribute to the fantastic wildlife of India which
will fascinate the youth of India. Composed by one of India’s
finest music composers Lesle Lewis, the anthem is sung by
singers Shaan, Mathangi and Monali who have lend their voice
to epitomise and celebrate the exuberance of India’s
rich wildlife. This anthem cheers for the spirit of freedom
in three most widely spoken languages of the country: Hindi,
Tamil and Bangla, blending music and visuals.
Discovery
South Asia senior VP, GM Rahul Johri said, “India has
snow-capped mountains, deserts, forests, wetlands and fertile
plains, and its climate ranges from temperate to tropical
monsoon. 'Yeh Mera India' is an initiative to celebrate the
country’s natural world enriched with varied environments
and unique wildlife. I am sure this small initiative from
Animal Planet will act as a catalyst to bring awareness amongst
audience and sensitise them towards the protection of Indian
wildlife and its habitat. The channel intersperses dedicated
programming with most popular form of entertainment –
music.”
The
song composer, Lesle Lewis said, “Animal Planet is the
one-stop destination for wildlife enthusiasts. I am proud
to be associated with the channel for this initiative and
hope that the song creates awareness amongst people and sensitise
them towards the amazing fauna of our country.”
Shaan
said, “Music is the strongest medium which entertains
and connects people from diverse social and linguistic backgrounds.
I am glad Animal Planet has chosen this medium to reach out
to viewers to celebrate the essence of freedom of animals.”
Within
India’s borders are some of the most charismatic animals
on the planet, including lions, tigers, lesser pandas, camels
and elephants. It is also home to a bounty of distinctly Indian
species such as cobras, chinkaras, blue bulls and a variety
of leaf-eating monkeys called langurs. the slot follows the
flow of the Ganges, from the glaciers of the world's highest
mountains, the Himalayas, to the largest bay in the world,
the Bay of Bengal.
Viewers
can find out why this river is a lifeline to an array of wild
animals, including India's rare one-horned rhinoceros, as
well as eight per cent of the world's population. Head high
into the Himalayas to find out how its hostile terrain, powerful
winds and sub-zero temperatures support one of the largest
and most diverse collections of creatures on the planet, including
man.
The
slot also travels into a lost world, home to head-hunting
tribes, tiger-infested forests, unclimbed mountains and pristine
rivers. Visit Thar Desert and discover how this harsh environment
supports both humans, and some of the toughest and rarest
creatures on earth.
There
is also a journey into the Western Ghats, a spine of mountains
stretching for a thousand miles along India's west coast,
thought to be one of the most bio-diverse places in the world.
On one side, tropical rainforests thrive, and explode with
life, including the endangered lion-tailed macaque, whilst
on the eastern side, tigers and wild dogs compete for prey
in its dry forests.
|
