U Syiem: Legendary Khasi Freedom Fighter

Cosmic Clusters, a network of talented individuals in the media production of animation and VFX field, is releasing the first of its kind animated film in Meghalaya as well as in the North East. A semi realistic 3d animation called U Syiem (The King). With a budget of 33 lakhs, it has teamed up with Melodia Arrangements for the production of Music, Voice Over and Background scores.

U Syiem is a fictional story based on historical facts of a legendary Khasi freedom fighter called U Tirot Sing, who stood against The East India Company while the neighboring tribal kingdom surrendered. He fought back using guerrilla warfare and through his sacrifice became an immortal warrior.

The core idea and the concept of U Syiem is to take into consideration that animation is a very powerful medium in delivering a message and also to educate an audience, both young and old. It is not just to highlight the talents and skills that are vast within the North East. It’s a medium that is slowly changing mainstream cinema both nationally and internationally and has slowly become an aspect of post-production.

It’s not just limited to cartoons, but it is able to cut a film budget in some form through the process of post- production.

How original is the story?

While the story is inspired by actual events, certain characterization, locations and dialogues were fictionalized for dramatization. If we were to follow his 30 year life biography, it is too long, and nowadays movie goers are willing to watch 1hr 30mins only.

the children witness destruction of war with their village

What measures were taken to keep that authenticity?

We did a lot of research and consulted with the Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw. It terms of costumes, we had to tone down a bit because we can’t afford to use the dynamics. Using dynamics, for example like the Dhoti, we can’t show the frills and texture that will hamper our production and take us more time. So we had to reduce it. The story is held in Mairang, West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. We had to show Nohkalikai Falls to show some regional setting, so that people can understand.

What is the target age group?

The project was running at a good pace as the target audience was children below 12 years but we found out, through our statistics from YouTube that the age group of 18 to 50 were the major audience in our semi-realistic animation, therefore we have to increase the quality of animation from a cartoony to semi realistic level, indirectly affecting our marketing and advertising budget.

Tirot Singh after the battle.

There is a scene with drums beating in the arena, in your promo video you had uploaded on YouTube. Could you tell us about this scene and how long did it take to finish?

Those scenes actually came after we made the movie and we realized, with inputs from one of our animator friends Sauvik Mazumdar, that there was a dance and music scene missing. We consulted him along with Melodia Arrangements and also the traditional indigenous artists. We animated first and then synchronized with the drum beats.We had to show the vibrant colors of the culture. In terms of location, we could not afford to go anywhere, so we researched through the internet and at the State Central Library to control our cost.

How different is “Chota Bheem” and U Syiem, in terms of animation?

U Syiem is to bring awareness among the community, by using a more visual medium. Where we would, once again, bring him back from history to become an icon and a hero for our children, just as “Chota Bheem” has become an integral part of our daily lives. However in terms of animation, there is more texture. U Syiem’s quality standard and benchmark is much higher than Chota Bheem and is at par with international animation.

a scene where the hero is contemplating his next move

In reality how successful will U Syiem be, to break into this business especially from the North East?

We are planning to screen the movie U SYIEM to as many of the 100 schools in Meghalaya at a very low price of Rs. 40 instead of paying Rs. 250 in the theaters and also a free screening to the underprivileged and BPL children of Meghalaya. Then after that, we will be screening it slowly after we are able to make a profit to show and promote in other festivals internationally and nationally.

Poster of U syiem

What is the expected release date of U Syiem?

We are hoping that by February at the latest. However, we are having problems with confirmation of dates and the venue.