City mandals go 3D,showcase history through projection mapping

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan greet each other,followed by an embrace

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan greet each other,followed by an embrace. Tightening his clasp,Khan grips Shivajis neck with his arm in order to kill him. In the counter-attack,Shivaji uses his weapons,wagh nakh and bichawa,to attack Khan. The fight continues till Khan is killed at the Pratapgad Fort. Khans head is later sent to Shivajis mother Jijabai in Rajgad as an evidence.

This is the story that unfolds on a large set up at the Shrimant Yogi Mitra Mandal on Sinhagad Road. From showcasing the picturesque Kedarnath to portraying the history of Maharana Pratap Singh,the Ganesh mandals in the city are making the most of the 3D projection mapping technology this year. The technology,relatively new in the city,is a combination of animation and 3D illusion. The five mandals that have incorporated 3D projection mapping are Shrikrishna Hanuman Vyayam Mandal,Shivshakti Mitra Mandal,Navgraha Mitra Mandal,Narveer Tanaji Mitra Mandal and Shrimant Yogi Mitra Mandal.

While Shivshakti Mitra Mandal in Tulsibaug is showcasing the history of Shaniwarwada Fort since its inception,Narveer Tanaji Mitra Mandal is portraying the story of Shivajis enthronement. Rohan Sawant,co-owner of Pixelmovers,a firm which worked on 3D projection mapping for the five mandals,said,To work on a project it takes approximately 25 days. Its not just about animation,we need to conceptualise the set design,theme,write the script and make the structure. What is most important in 3D projection mapping are the measurements,they should be accurate.

Amol Shivaji Jagade,vice-president of Shivshakti Mitra Mandal,said the response of the audience had been overwhelming. It is very informative for the people,who didnt know much about the forts history. Not many know that the fort caught fire in 1828, Jagade said.

The technology,according to Sawant,was launched in the state last year,but for the first time it has been used in such an elaborate manner and by so many mandals. The cost of the technology varies depending on the area in which it is being used and also the duration. We have charged Rs 80,000 for the setup of Shaniwarwada Fort theme for 10 days, Sawant added.

Along with Sawant,others who are associated with Pixelmovers include Prasad Jadhav,Venkatesh Bhumkar and Kalyani Shinde.

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