History, the making

To the rousing flourish of the tutari, the animated figure of a traditionally-dressed Maratha mawla appears on the computer screen. A cli...

To the rousing flourish of the tutari, the animated figure of a traditionally-dressed Maratha mawla appears on the computer screen. A click of the mouse button later, you are hurled into the very thick of action in the battle of Pratapgad where to the neighing of horses and the boom of cannon-fire, the figures of Afzal Khan and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj play out history.

How much more interesting it is to see history happen and to learn about the personalities who shaped it, and this through graphics, animation, video clips with background music, rather than a dry history textbook.

It was just this idea that prompted defence research scholar Col. Dr. Anil Athale retd. to team up with Chaittanya Software Technologies CST to produce The Great Marathas 8211; a CD-ROM on the history of the Marathas, due for release by the end of the week.

8220;As first fellow of the General Palit Military Studies Trust, I conducted research on the project of the Anglo-Maratha wars between 1679 and 1818. History in general has been distorted; the idea that the Marathas who had bravely countered the Mughal rule should succumb so easily to the British has been a misconception that needed to be corrected. There are many other such topics pertaining to Maratha military history, like the formidable Maratha naval power, that had to be tackled.8221;

While by 1994 Athale had completed his research work, he found that a book on the subject would take longer to materialise. 8220;The publishing houses I had approached had said that I would have to wait another five years. I had already received a suggestion about making a CD-ROM on the subject, but despite submitting a detailed report in 1995 to the state minister for cultural affairs concerning the funding of such a venture, I was getting nowhere.8221; That was when he decided to take on the task himself.

In January this year, Athale approached Sanjay Deshpande of CST about the CD-ROM. 8220;To fully exploit its multimedia potential, we decided to include not just the text of the book but also graphics, photographs, animation, video clips and so on,8221; says Deshpande.

The CD has three sections. The first 8211; Timeline 8211; is a chronological listing of salient events that shaped the history of Maharashtra and includes the birth of Shivaji, his coronation, the battle of Panipat, with graphics and text. The second 8211; Personalities 8211; features 45 important men and women who people its history and includes a life-sketch and related photographs. A life-sketch of Sant Dnyaneshwar, for instance, has a photograph of the Alandi Devasthan and a recitation of his Pasayadaan. The third 8211; Maharashtra 8211; comprises information and photographs on tourist spots in all the districts of Maharashtra. 8220;The CD is aimed specially at students but it is also for anyone who may be interested in Maharashtra, the land and its people,8221; says Deshpande.

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A team of three programmers, three artists and three musicians started work on the CD after the initial research on the available reference material. 8220;We had to pore over books from libraries and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation brochures. Photographers were deputed to shoot pictures of Pune and care was taken to record live music for the CD,8221; says Deshpande.

The project, which cost Rs. 1.5 lakh, could, however, not meet the May 1 deadline set for its release due to the Chernobyl virus which attacked many computers last month. 8220;The damage was not excessive 8211; we only lost a few photographs and data,8221; Deshpande is quick to point out.

8220;We want the CD to reach a wider audience and are planning a Marathi version, provided we can manage the funds for it,8221; says Athale.

With its colourful and user-friendly appearance, this is one example of presenting the past differently.