THE LONGEST SINGLE SHOT NON-FICTION PROGRAM IN TELEVISION HISTORY

Increation's documentary film "Udayamritham" has been featured in The Limca Book of Records 2007 -India at her Best for creating the "Longest single-shot non-fiction programme in Indian television."

Featured on page 133 under the chapter, "Television", the citation states –"Udayamritham is a one-hour morning program telecast on Amrita Television, a Malayalam satellite television which was launched on April 14, 2005. A special programme was conceived for Onam, the festival that all sections in Kerala identify with. Different traditional art forms were brought together at Arangottukara village in Thrissur district in Central Kerala. The filming was done in one shot for 55 mins in front of Varakkappally Mana, one of the important landmarks in the region, and aired on Sept 5, 2006.

"Around 50 traditional artists and 75 crew members worked in unison to create this film of "Udayamritam". Unlike fiction, the team were not able to dub the audio later and so went ahead with spot recording. The entire sequence was recorded using a hand-held camera. The show was anchored by Mochitha, winner of the State Government Award for Best Television Presenter. Reji Syne was the director and Prasanth the cameraman.

Synopsis of the documentary film

Onam, for every Malayali, is a chance to redefine oneself. Time to set to new goals and dreams. This is what the this documentary film narrates. Onam comes alive, once again, at Udayamritham by capturing the essence of Nila or Bharatapuzha, the river that has formed the sensibilities of Malayali culture, in a single shot lasting 55 minutes. The filming team travels along with nearly 10 traditional art forms and rituals along idyllic rural roads, courtyards of traditional homes and sacred groves (kavu).
The programme has been conceived and directed by Reji Syne and Prasanth Lensview is behind the camera. Both of them won the Special Jury Award at last year's State Television Awards. Mochita, who won the State Award for Best Anchor in 2005, is presenting the programme.