“Kaleidoscope 2011”- A Celebration of Creativity

“Kaleidoscope 2011”- A Celebration of Creativity

By Niveda Manohar

“Responsibility and discipline are the eternal values of learning and creativity”, said well known film personality Mr. S.Ve Shekher, in his inaugural speech at “Kaleidoscope 2011”, a two day knowledge and entertainment fest, organized by the Department of Visual Communication of Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai on August 11,12, 2011.

Mr. S.Ve Shekher, who began his career as a still photographer and then went on to excel in drama, radio, television and cinema talked about his experiences in various creative disciplines.

“Perseverance and keen desire to learn are the keys to excel in the field of creativity, he said.” Institution’s Secretary Mr Abhay Kumar, Deputy Secretary Mr Gyan Jain and Principal Dr Padma Shankar, were present on the occasion.

An impressive lineup of creative professionals and large number of students gathered to celebrate idea of creativity at the two day information and entertainment extravaganza. 
The seriousness of the inaugural session gave way to fun and frolic. Mr. Harish Kalyan, a young actor lightened up the atmosphere holding interactive session, engaging the students in small skits, to remove the stage fear. He stressed on the points needed for effective acting.  

Immensely popular radio jockeys, RJ Kay Kay and RJ Alocious, from Hello FM were next to hold the floor. They narrated their professional experiences and gave tips to excel in radio broadcasting.

Professor Raviraj, head of the department, Direction, at Chennai Film Institute, gave a talk on the intricacies of making non fictional films. His screened a documentary on 'sewage and drainage system' and narrated the fine aspect of short film making. He screened a foreign short film on “glass making” that was a treat to watch.

Mr. Saravanan, the Filmfare award winner for the best supporting actor for the movie Paruthiveeran (2007) shared his experiences in Tamil Film industry. 
The three time National Award winner, Mr. Srinivas Mohan, the VFX director of Enthiran held a session on the making of the film.  He explained how visual effects can lift a film to dazzling heights. His explanation amazed the students in cinematic knowledge.

Ms. Madumita, an eminent film director who directed ‘Vallamai Tharayo’ and ‘Kola Kolaya Mundhirika’ talked about the working condition for women in Kollywood.

“The working atmosphere in film industry is very congenial for women and there is absolutely no to fear of any sort for fair sexes,” Ms. Madumita, said dispelling the myths about women working in the film industry. Her words inspired many girls to take up a career in film industry.

RJ Gopida of Radio City shared his knowledge on the different aspects of jockeying and demonstrated a few exercises to enhance the voice quality. He had a similar session in Kaleidoscope 2010 as well.

The day two of the Kaleidoscope 2011, kicked off with VTV Ganesh of “Vinnaithandi Varuvaya” fame. It was a perfect start for the day as VTV is immensely popular among the youth.

Director Jananathan, talked about the nuances of film making. He screened certain scenes of his movies “Iyarkai” that won the national award for the best Tamil feature film and explained how each shot was taken.

Popular music director Mr. James Vasanthan who composed many hit songs and who is also a popular television personality, interacted with the students on the technical side of music composition.

Mr. Praveen K.L, spoke about the importance of editing in movies. He screened the trailer of Mankatha and certain scenes from other movies to explain the editing point of view. During the interactive session, he gave music CDs of “Mankatha” to few students whom he found to be keen learners.

Meera Kathiravan who has directed the critically acclaimed movie “Aval Peyar Tamilarasi” gave tips on the art of direction. He was followed by dubbing artist, Mr. Naveen Kumar who enthralled the audience with his mimicry skills. Students requested him to copy the voice of their favorite film stars and the performer did not let anyone down.

The last session was by the crew of “Ambuli,” India’s first stereoscopic 3D movie. Directors Hari Shankar and Haresh Narayan and Cinematographer Satish discussed about the various aspects of 3D movie making. They also screened a few 3D scenes from the movie that the students seem to enjoy.

The closing session saw a performance by Ms. Shweta, III year Visual Communication student, who whistled the tune of two songs and danced on them as well. Then there was ‘adaptune’ competition for the students of other colleges. Prizes were given to those who participated in the competition. 
The “Kaleidoscope 2011” finale was an energetic performance by group of students of the department of Visual Communication dancing on the tune of fusion of songs.

There were sixteen sessions and eighteen guest speakers in the two day festivity. . The session covered a gamut of areas like film direction, acting, video editing, music, radio jockey, dubbing etc.

There were 285 students from more than sixteen colleges that participated in “Kaleidoscope 2011.” All gave positive feedback of the event, calling it inspirational and looked forward for the next edition of this mega event.

The lesson learn from “Kaleidoscope 2011” was; creativity comes slowly and gradually and one has to strive for that and seek inspiration from those who have excelled in different disciplines of creativity.

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This report is prepared by Niveda Manohar, second year student of BSc Visual Communication,of Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai.

Tigers are rare Save them says K.V.SWETHA , I yr viscom

Tigers are Rare Save them

I am K.V.SWETHA , First year viscom. I am a passionate photographer . I love to take rare pictures. My hobbies are taking photographs and dancing. My ambition is to become a photo-journalist. Recently, I visited Bnnerghatta Zoo in Banglore and took few pictures of animals there.

All the tigers were really furious except a white tiger which looked like being  tamed.

 Even this black bear was furious pouncing at me. I somehow teased him to pose for my camera.

 

As I love to take pictures of rare things when I found a heart shaped custard apple at the Nilgris super market, i immediately bought it and took its photograph.

Kasthuri charms at Shreyas - Inter-Collegiate Culturals

Kasthuri charms at Shreyas - Inter-Collegiate Culturals

Chennai, September 15, 2011: “Protection of environment is a matter of habit and not a choice, said actress Kasthuri, to large group of college girls that had assembled at Shreyas - Inter-collegiate culturals event at SSS Jain College for Women, Chennai.

Every day when I get up, I segregate my daily household wastes into two bins, non biodegradable and biodegradable, said the model turned actress, giving tips to young girls how to green.

Kasthuri who made a come back in 2010 featuring in a item number in the hit film "Tamil Padam" was at her best in attracting the young girls, as they cheered her speech that was laced with pun and humour.

The actress who has been hosting TV shows, got a very warm response when she asked to students to volunteer for her dream project of building an international quality old age home in the outskirts of the city.

Later, Kasthuri, switched from the dais to sit with the students and the competition, feeling at ease with the students gathered for Shreyas - Inter-collegiate culturals event. 

 The actress who studied at the Ethiraj college, and was a popular figure at the Inter-collegiate culturals event, promised to be the 'quiz-master' in the next edition of the cultural event at the SSS Jain College for Women. 

Kasthuri was a popular south Indian heroine in the 1990s. She had her schooling in Madras and started modelling while in high school. She won the Miss Madras title in 1992.

Subsequently, she got offers to act in films. She debuted as heroine in the Tamil film "Aatha Un Kooyiley" in 1991, and had appear in a number of Tamil fims that imcluded the horror flick "Rasathi Varum Naal", "Government Mappilai",Chinnavarand "Senthamizh Paatu" alongside Prabhu Ganeshan in 1992.

Kasthuri acted in many Telugu films which gained her enough fan following in Andhra Pradesh. After the success of Bharatheeyudu, in which she acted as beloved daughter of Kamal Haasan, she got several opportunities to act opposite top heroes. Films like Soggadi pellam, merupu did give footage to her career.

Kasturi was the subject of a 30-minute documentary film Kasthuri: A South Indian Film star made by Richard Breyer and N. C. Rajamani in 1995.

Kasthuri bowed out of films after her Hindi short film The Bypass in 2003. 

Last year, she made a come back in a item number in the hit film "Tamil Padam."

“A person like Kasthuri can juggle with many roles,” said Dr Padma Shanker, Principal SSS Jain College for Women, Chennai, in her welcome address. 

 

'She is a multi faced personality, a source of inspiration said the dynamic principal of the woman's college.

Shreyas - Inter-collegiate culturals event at SSS Jain College for Women, Chennai is a two day cultural extravaganza, where girl students from thirty colleges are participating at various events to win fabulous prizes.

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This report is prepared by Visual Communication students of SSS Jain College for Women, Chennai.

The Power of Social Media

The Power of Social Media

Clay Shirky, Professor of New Media at New York University and author of the book Cognitive Surplus

Some key points made by Prof Shirky in her article on the power of social media in the Foreign Affairs are -

Since the rise of the Internet in the early 1990s, the world's networked population has grown from the low millions to the low billions. Over the same period, social media have become a fact of life for civil society worldwide, involving many actors -- regular citizens, activists, nongovernmental organizations, telecommunications firms, software providers, governments.

The use of social media tools -- text messaging, e-mail, photo sharing, social networking, and the like -- does not have a single preordained outcome. Therefore, attempts to outline their effects on political action are too often reduced to dueling anecdotes.

New media conducive to fostering participation can indeed increase the freedoms, just as the printing press, the postal service, the telegraph, and the telephone did before.

One complaint about the idea of new media as a political force is that most people simply use these tools for commerce, social life, or self-distraction, but this is common to all forms of media.

The more promising way to think about social media is as long-term tools that can strengthen civil society and the public sphere.

The idea that media play a supporting role in social change by strengthening the public sphere echoes the historical role of the printing press.

The sociologists Elihu Katz and Paul Lazarsfeld discovered that mass media alone do not change people's minds; instead, there is a two-step process. Opinions are first transmitted by the media, and then they get echoed by friends, family members, and colleagues. It is in this second, social step that political opinions are formed. This is the step in which the Internet in general, and social media in particular, can make a difference. As with the printing press, the Internet spreads not just media consumption but media production as well -- it allows people to privately and publicly articulate and debate a welter of conflicting views.

Disciplined and coordinated groups, whether businesses or governments, have always had an advantage over undisciplined ones: they have an easier time engaging in collective action because they have an orderly way of directing the action of their members. Social media can compensate for the disadvantages of undisciplined groups by reducing the costs of coordination.

The dilemma is created by new media that increase public access to speech or assembly; with the spread of such media, whether photocopiers or Web browsers, a state accustomed to having a monopoly on public speech finds itself called to account for anomalies between its view of events and the public's. The two responses to the conservative dilemma are censorship and propaganda. But neither of these is as effective a source of control as the enforced silence of the citizens.

Popular culture also heightens the conservative dilemma by providing cover for more political uses of social media. Tools specifically designed for dissident use are politically easy for the state to shut down, whereas tools in broad use become much harder to censor without risking politicizing the larger group of otherwise apolitical actors.

Full article may be read at

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67038/clay-shirky/the-political-power-of-social-media?page=show

Category - Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change

Visual Communication an Attractive Course for Girls

Visual Communication an Attractive Course for Girls

Syed Ali Mujtaba

'Visual Communication' or Viscom is a course for those who dare to dream differently. It's pure excitement for the high spirited souls passionate about entering the field of media and entertainment. It's a course where students can specialise in areas such as; Multimedia, Photography, Television, Films, News, Online Media and many more.

Most of the colleges today boasts of a Visual Communication department. The students of Viscom department are the most active lot. They provide vibrancy to campus life by participating in various be it sports, culturals or other extra curricular activities.They win number of prizes at Intra and Inter College culturals.

This is not true for the boys alone even the girls are attracted towards the Visual Communication course in a big way and excelling in many field of activities.

The Visual Communication department of Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai, is a shining example of growing interest of girl students in this course. Here over hundred girls are pursuing this course. The College has a state of art facilities and excellent faculty to run this course. The College nurtures the students from hand drawing to computer imagery, still and video images to the level to producing short films.

Highlights of the Course

Film studies is the most attractive feature of the Viscom course. Students are exposed to Film Studies, Cinematography, Audiography, Direction etc. Many directors, cinematographers, sound engineers who are successful in the field today, are Viscom graduates.

Photography is an other impressive element of the course. With user friendly Cameras, Photography is indeed every body's cup of tea. But professional photography is all together a different cup of tea. It needs professional training and practice and Viscom students who have specialized in photography can emerge as great professional photographers.

Ad Agencies are always on the look out for Viscom graduates. Good talents are absorbed instantly. They are taken in the position of Copy writer, Creative Director Visualizer etc.

Myths about Visual Communication

Even though the course has started almost a decade ago, many parents are still reluctant to enroll their daughters into this course. They are scared about the scope of the course, particularly about the future career opportunities. In addition many parents feel that their daughter have to work in a industry which essentially men dominated and have no time schedule. So they feel Viscom may not be a good course for their girl child. These facts however are far from true.

Its proved that women have a better sense for appreciating beauty. These days many companies prefer women Web Designers/Graphic designers for their aesthetic taste. These companies understand the primary responsibilities and the women employ and they are a little liberal when it comes to the work timings. Expecting mothers and mothers with young child are given flexible timings. They even have the option to work from home. So a women can comfortably work in the media field and as well take care of her family.

In India the demand for web designers have been constantly on rise. The Viscom course is designed in such a way that interested students can specialise in Web Designing. Animation is an other crowd pulling aspect of this course. Students are taught the latest software in Animation. There are students who make a good money working part time on Animation projects.

Many parents the girl child are also worried that cinema industry is a men's world. The scenario is fast changing. Many famous directors have at least one woman Assistant Director and many film directors are themselves women.

Similarly, many women directors and producers are ruling the the Television shows. Many TV shows have a big list of women personnel, assistants, associates etc.

Women Ad film makers have set up high standards in the industry and many of them are the natural choice for the corporates.

Newspaper, Magazine, Radio Television News Channels have huge opportunity for women who have a natural flair for writing. They can develop their skills in writing and become journalist. Women these days are joining the profession of journalism in a big way.

The systematic approach of women are appreciated well in media and entertainment industry. The have a natural edge or men in this industry. So there is s a big opportunity that awaits women in media industry. The route to enter this field is through getting a degree in Visual Communication. So the time is now ripe for girls to take up this course and make a mark in the media industry. There is no stopping for those who have the will and inclination to excel in this field. 

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Syed Ali Mujtaba PhD teaches at the department of Visual Communication at Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com

"Flowers are a source of Joy" says Fathimuthu, 1st year viscom.

Quote : I am over joyed while capturing flowers says Anis Fathimuthu


These pictures are captured by Ms  M.N.Anis, fathimuthu, 1st year viscom. 

The Emerging New Visual World

The Emerging New Visual World

Syed Ali Mujtaba

We are living in a new visual world, a world which is different from the one that exists side by side but remains unnoticed. The new visual world actually shaped when the internet opened the gates of communication highway and the e-mails and voice-mails dominated the cyber space. This format is now being replaced by the new visual world. 

In the mew visual world communication is taking place through the webcams and in an array of activities its application is found. Whether its business, board room meetings, social networking, medical surgery, court room trials, every this mode of communication is gradually becoming popular. 

The mobile telephone based on 2G, 3G and now the 4G is enhancing the speed of communication of the new visual world. As we are able to see one another on a more frequent using such technology, the new visual world is bringing world closer, catapulting a global society. 

As we have started to live under the shadows of cameras, the new visual world is changing our life style. We cannot escape the eye of the camera, whether it’s a mall or a superstore, bus station, railway platform, airport or even traffic signals, we are under the vigil of the camera. 

In a super store, Mother Merry cannot breastfeed her toddler, because the camera watches her act, and to some the images generated may be liable porn. Similarly, many offices have cameras to monitor the work their staff and in such a case, one may have to sit tight, because each member is under the surveillance of the camera.   

  

Notwithstanding the constraints, the new visual world has come to stay simply because the communication is now happening through touch screens and the keyboards. The visual technology is helping simulate the experience that a phone conversation or an e-mail exchange may not generate. In such mode of communication, one does not have to travel a distance to make the face-to-face appearance and such visual interaction saves time and energy.

It’s a life experience that’s happening and there is no escape from this reality. There are many who see this visual process a intrusion of the only remaining personal space in their lives and such people do not subscribe to this mode of communication. They are challenged by two sets of people, one those who are tired of every other form of communication and want to try visual options and other the young Turks who are growing with the changes and the new visual world is part of their life style.  

The new visual world has thrown open a window of opportunities but it’s filled with challenges. It requires the basic skills of visual communication and if one doesn’t have the skills to face the camera, chances are to be dubbed as ineffective communicator. So in order to be an effective communicator and to make an impact, one needs to adapt to the requirements of the new visual world. One has to show maturity towards embracing the new technological changes. Those doing so alone can surge ahead; the rest may lag behind or fall by the wayside. Time and tide waits for no one.

The social impact of the new visual world is tremendous. Slowly a world of visual communicators is emerging, as one sees people of different cultures and backgrounds more visually and interacts with them more frequently. As more people see one another, and more direct contact taking place, the fears, inhibitions, prejudices, concerns, ignorance or other negative feelings are getting mellowed. 

Whether there is a greater acceptance of diverse audiences and the new visual world is welcoming the visual differences is something debatable. However, the fact remains there is no escape from such a reality. This is definitely a sign of change. 

  

At another level the new visual world is pushing the cart of globalization. As people get opportunities to interact among many cultures, a globally interactive society is emerging. In this endeavor the young Turks is taking the lead. After all, children are not born with a natural fear of likes and dislikes, they learn from the environment they live. The new visual world provides them their own experience to decide as those who look so different have so many things in common with them. 

This brings us to the point that the more we see one another, the more we may understand each other and such interaction may bring us closer together, leading to a global society. In such case, the space for nationalism is shrinking, and globalization s surging ahead.  

This is not to suggest that prejudices are disappearing and we are moving towards a perfect harmonious world. It’s only to underline the fact that the no matter what maybe the prejudices, one still have to interact with different people on a daily basis. The new visual world is making people to accept those people whose lifestyles and backgrounds those are different from their own. 

  

Is the new visual world is better for our future generation or does it have negative influences on their minds that’s something being debated. There are many who are opposed to the ideas of the new visual world. They argue that children are exposed to pornography and other such vices in a tender age. Children’s creative activities are stifled as their attention is diverted in such unmeaning activities. A child has to have sound body and mind and the development of both is getting undermined by this new visual world. 

The other arguments put forward are that every individual can not be visually appealing and the new visual world is creating a new divide that is based on looks and not on merit. One has to be over conscious all the time in terms of diet and dress to match the expectations of the new visual world.  

Some are commanding to control this new trend. They say come on, where are we going, stop this highway to nowhere. However, there many who live by the slogan, it’s my life and I don’t give a damn to those who do not like the way I like.  It’s such kind of people who are making the new visual world’s dream come true. 

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Syed Ali Mujtaba teaches Visual Communication at Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com  

Visual Communication Department- Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women

In this age of communication revolution, Visual Communication has emerged as one of the fastest growing field of professional education. The aim of the course is to equip the students to see things with the eye of a visual communicator. It makes them understand the language of the visuals and communicate in various media formats like hand based imagery, computerized imagery, still and moving imagery.

Visual Communication is a media literacy course that endeavour to sensitize the students with all the nuances of the media and entertainment industry. The broad area of Visual communication covers an array of multi disciplinary subjects. A combination of papers grounded in theory and practical helps the students acquire necessary professional training. The course transforms the student into one of the best media professionals and its its applications are found in innumerable interrelated professions.

Students can find employment as Multimedia Designer/Developer, Web Developer and Web Production Specialist, Web Graphics Artist, Animators, Visualizers, Cartoonists, Photographers, Film makers, Copywriters, Video Editor, Director, Scriptwriter, Interactive Content Specialist, Event Managers and many more areas after the compltion of the course.

The Visual Communication department at the Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women aims to empower the girl students through media education and help them realize their potential in what essentially once upon a time had beeb a mens profession.

High quality teaching faculty, friendly teaching environment, first hand industry exposure ensures smooth conduct of the Visual Communication course at the Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women.

A well equipped multimedia studio, latest still digital cameras and video cameras, state of the art shooting floor, editing and sound recording studio, power point Lecture heater, large number of books and periodicals at the colleges library are some of the special features of the Visual Communication department.

The department organizes planned visits to various media houses to build relationship with the professional world and prepare them for future employment. The experts from the field of media and entertainment industry visit the department regularly to share their knowledge with the students.

The college prepares students for the challenges of their career and facilitate job placement through campus interviews. Most of its students find placement at the film and television production units, television channels, multimedia studios, advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, and other media and entertainment outlets.

Shri Swetambar Sthanakwasi Jain Education society (Regd.) founded in the year 1937 has been rendering yeomen service to the community by nurturing learning experience to enable students to realize their inherent potential and to mould them into competent, self-reliant and socially responsible citizens. In the seven decades of its presence, the Society has been responsible for successfully establishing several educational institutions like Mohan mull Chordia Jain Industrial Training centre, Shri Agurchand Man mull Jain College, Shri Tarachand Galada Jain Vidyalaya, Shri Mangichand Bhandari Jain Higher secondary School, Shri Amoluckchand Galada Jain Higher Secondary school and Sri Badalchand Sayarchand Chordia Jain Vidyalaya.

Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women is yet another feather in the cap of Sri S.S. Jain Educational society. 

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 This report is prepared by Syed Ali Mujtaba PhD, Senior Faculty, Visual Communication department, Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai.