'Disney Channel' brings Asian legends to life

'Disney Channel' brings Asian legends to life

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In the beginning there were nine suns scorching the Earth. The
Moon felt sorry for the people of Earth and helped them trick the
father Sun into eating the other suns.

This is the story of Why the Sun Chases the Moon, based on
Indonesian folklore for the Disney Channel series Legends of the
Ring of Fire.

Legends is a series of animated short stories locally produced
by the Disney Channel in Asia. It retells stories from Asian
folklore that have been passed down from generation to
generation.

Beginning with Why the Sun Chases the Moon, Disney Channel
Asia will showcase six folktales from Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand, Singapore, Korea and the Philippines.

"Given the rich diversity of cultures and folktales in Asia,
each episode is individual but remains true to the Disney
tradition of quality storytelling and family entertainment,"
Ashok Miranda, executive producer of the South East Asia/Korea
regions of Walt Disney Television International, said.

While legends may have a slight basis in truth, myths are
ancient stories containing religious or magical ideas explaining
natural or historical events.

Scientific explanations may have replaced many of these
beliefs, but at one time these were the only explanations
available for what was going on in the world.

And these tales delighted children for ages, never growing
stale with the constant telling and retelling.

UTV Toons, a division of the Mumbai-based UTV Software
Communications, was selected to work with Disney Channel Asia on
the animation for the series.

The animation used in Legends was created using 2D cel
animation and the latest computer graphics technology.

Drawing from Asian themes and designs, Disney says the Legends
look exhibits an epic-like quality that effectively communicates
the stories while illustrating their mythical origins.

Each of the five-minute episodes also has its own unique score
and sound design, created by Schtung Music Singapore, drawing
upon musical influences and styles from the regions where the
stories are set.

A new episode will be introduced every two weeks, beginning
with Why the Sun Chases the Moon (Indonesia), which premiered on
Aug. 16, followed by The Cengal Tree (Malaysia), How the Moon
Came to Be (Thailand), How Singapore Got Its Name (Singapore),
The Magic Snail (Korea) and How the Durian Came to Be (the
Philippines).

Managing director of the South East Asia/Korea division of
Walt Disney Television International, Raymund Miranda, said that
the series would also premiere on other international Disney
stations.

Legends of the Ring of Fire will air every Saturday and Sunday
at 6:30 p.m. on the Disney Channel.

Synopses of the other episodes of Legends of the Ring of Fire:

- The Cengal Tree, a tale from Malaysia

Premiere date: Saturday, Aug. 30

Long, long ago, it rained non-stop such that the earth was
flooded. The white ants had to flee from their homes to escape
the floodwaters. They appealed to the trees to seek shelter in
their branches, but were refused as the trees were afraid that
the white ants would eat them later. Finally, they approached the
big Cengal tree as their last hope, and the Cengal tree, who had
a soft heart, agreed and struck a bargain with the white ants
which lasts till this day.

- How the Moon Came to be, a tale from Thailand

Premiere date: Saturday, Sept. 13

Long, long ago, there was a Sun King who ruled the heavens,
but there was no moon in the sky at night. One day, the Sun King
say the beautiful daughter of the King of Siam and fell in love
with her. He refused to go back to his home in the sky as he
wanted to stay by her side constantly, and night never fell on
earth again. The stars, who were forced to hide in the clouds,
decided on a plan to bring back the nights and in doing so
created the moon that we see in our skies to this day.

- How Singapore Got Its Name, a tale from Singapore

Premiere date: Saturday, Sept. 27

Long, long ago there was a young adventurous king who loved to
hunt. One day when he was in the jungle hunting for stags, he
came a cross a beautiful island. Eager to explore it, he set sail
immediately and encountered the fury of the Sea-King. Upon
landing safely on the island, a majestic lion-like creature
appeared from the jungle and gave the king the inspiration to
name the island Singapore, which it is still known as to this
day.

- The Magic Snail, a tale from Korea

Premiere date: Saturday, Oct. 11

There once was a young, hardworking farmer who longed for a
wife, and made a wish while working in his fields. He heard a
reply come from a snail and took the snail home out of curiosity.
The snail transformed into a beautiful lady, whom the farmer fell
in love with and they were married. One day by chance, the king
saw the beautiful snail-lady and wanted her for himself, so he
challenged the farmer to a test. But with the help of his
beautiful wife and the Dragon King, the farmer was able to
overcome all obstacles and win back his wife.

- How the Durian Came to Be, a tale from the Philippines

Premiere date: Saturday, Oct. 25

Long, long ago, a powerful king ruled the Kingdom of the
Philippines, but he was sad as he had a beautiful young wife who
did not love him. He decided to seek help from a wise hermit who
told him how to win his wife's heart by planting a special tree.
He succeeded with the help of the nymph of the air and held a
celebration for the entire kingdom, but he forgot to invite the
wise hermit. In a rage, the hermit cursed the tree and created
the fruit we know as durian to this day.