By Hindustan Times
After 18 years, Prasar Bharti and Mumbai Doordarshan have joined hands to supply an in-house serial. The weekly social drama, Jamunia, was shot in Kolhapur and premiered at 10.30 am on Sunday. The brainchild of the channel’s deputy director general and the series’ consultant, Lakshmendra Chopra, Jamunia was directed by Suresh Singh Bishnoi.
“It’s like Mother India on TV. Richa Soni plays a modern-day Nargis. After her teacher-husband is killed by the local landlord, she braves all odds to elevate her two kids and urges the villagers to fight for his or her rights,” says music director, Nikhil Kamath, who has recorded 20 songs for the 30-episode serial, working closely with director Suresh Singh Bishnoi and inventive director Udhayanath Nayak.
“I composed the title song, which Raajesh Johri wrote. Suresh and the DD team were so pleased with it that they decided to make use of music to take the message of social reform and women’s empowerment forward,” says Nikhil, who at the side of Raajesh has given Jamunia the texture of a Bollywood movie as opposed to a soap.
Incidentally, Jamunia also marks Nikhil’s comeback to TV. He last worked on Ravi Rai’s serials, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai and Teacher, though he has done various shows on DD in the intervening time including the brand new Year’s Eve gala.
Upbeat in regards to the 20 tracks he banked in 20 days, Nikhil says, “When Jamunia is taking her husband’s body to be cremated on a cart Kya Tera Insaaf Daata is playing within the background. She urges the villagers to fight for justice through Satyamev Jayate. Music is a vital part of the story.”
Album coming soon
Jamunia’s soundtrack will soon be released as an album. Music director Nikhil Kamath says, “The CD that allows you to be released by Worldwide Records, must be out shortly.” Incidentally, the show has offered a couple of promising newbies a platform: “Anee Chatterjee (the voice of Jamunia) has sung 16 to 17 songs. San Francisco-based singer Tori Datta Roy has also been given a possibility to showcase her talent.”
