Film/Stage

35 Akhar: A Fun Way to Learn Gurmukhi & Punjabi

A DVD Review by SUKHMANDIR KAUR KHALSA

 

 

Three children, Fateh Singh, Simran Kaur and Monty, have a series of animated alphabet adventures where they encounter 35 Akhar, the consonants of the Gurmukhi alphabet, while on an errand for Fateh's mother.

When meeting with animals, objects, or food items they tell each other the starting Gurmukhi letter before giving the Punjabi name. Though presented as entertainment, there is no way to avoid learning while watching this animated movie. After observing this behavior for 18 animated minutes, you may find yourself doing the same while walking through your house, or sitting for meals. "Please pass the sasaa salad."

The Review

When I first viewed the opening scenes of 35 Akhar, I experienced a little letdown. A friend had told me how much children love it and my anticipation level had soared sky high. Though I had selected hybrid English, the animated DVD used Punjabi words correlating to the Gurmukhi alphabet featured. I am familiar with the akhar (Gurmukhi consonants), however my ear is not tuned to the unfamiliar sounds of Punjabi language. I felt a bit dismayed and worried that the story line might be slow to capture the attention of little ones and sounds difficult to understand.

My toddler granddaughter however had no such misgivings.

Immediately riveted to the animation, her hungry-to-learn, not quite 2-year-old mind delightedly devoured scene after scene while she joyously named objects recognized.

My daughter walked in and began watching with us. When she saw ooraa oontth, a camel with a grandfatherly Punjabi accent talking to the main character, Fateh, at the start of his animated adventure, she called her husband to come and look. I expressed my afore-mentioned doubts, but my daughter assured me that the animation quality and story-line exceeded that of common children's cartoons such as "Dora the Explorer".

We watched together as Fateh had a series of mishaps and rescues, met friends, and made purchases, all the while naming the first letter of his conquests.

A few weeks later, my granddaughter had attained the age of 25 months, when she spied me holding 35 Akhar. "Movie, movie" she exclaimed excitedly dancing about. I let her hold it while we walked to the computer. To my amazement, she pulled the DVD from its case, climbed on my lap, and before I knew it, had popped open the computer DVD player. I started the DVD and she reached to turn up the sound while waiting for it to play. As we watched 35 Akhar together, I realized that I could recognize those sounds which had seemed so foreign on my first viewing a few weeks earlier.

My granddaughter watched without saying a word, completely absorbed. After we finished watching, only a few minutes passed before she came running with 35 Akhar in her hand begging to watch it again.

I have to confess my granddaughter's enthusiasm is catching. And not just because she sat beside me the next morning holding my nitnem gutka saying, "Read it," while pointing to Gurmukhi script and repeating "nanaa".

I have also become very excited about 35 Akhar because this little 18 minute animation has been successful in bending my ear and shaping it to recognize and understand the sounds of new words.

A label stating "Age 3+" is on the cover of the animated movie 35 Akhar. I feel confident that learning begins before birth and it's never too soon to expose little ones to teaching aids.

Incorporated in 2004, Vismaad is a pioneer in bringing Sikhism to the screen via the venue of animated technology. Relying on donations and collaboration with private investors to fund animation ventures, profits realized go to production of forth coming films.

Pros

• Promotes learning
• Provides entertainment
• Teaches Gurmukhi alphabet
• Teaches Punjabi words and meanings
• Holds little one's attention while making learning fun

Cons

• Immersion method can be daunting to the resistant mind at the outset

Description

• 35 Akhar Animated Movie DVD / 18 Minute Feature
• Punjabi Language / Punjabi Hybrid English
• Authored by Sahara Production, Singapore / Produced by Vismaad
• Copyright © Vismaad Limited. All Rights Reserved.
• English Dubbing sponsored by BaniPro.com and New Jersey sangat.
• Offered by SikhDVD.com for USD $6.00 S&H $3.00 (combo pack pricing and bulk rates on orders of $100). PayPal & RBS WorldPay
• India only orders offered by Kirtan Store.com http://www.kirtanstore.com/author.php?id=82
• Contact: Email mail@vismaad.com
• Vismaad Pte Ltd Singapore
  +65 938 91771
• Vismaad Mediatech Pvt Ltd
  SAS Nagar Mohali
  Punjab INDIA 160055
  +91 172 4018888

 

[Courtesy: About.com]

May 9, 2011

 

 

read other articles in Film/Stage