Edutoons for the next generation
‘Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventures’ hopes to offer interactive learning as opposed to conventional lecture-based method
LAHORE:
If a human brain is the planet’s most powerful learning machine, the current system of education is just not doing enough to unlock our true potential. According to the animated adventure series by Knorr and projects by Shehzad Roy, the educational practices in Pakistan need major rethinking.
Following the successful introduction of the animated adventure series “Knorr Quest for the Noodle Pot” in 2010, Knorr launched the second season of its 3D animated Urdu adventure cartoon series, “Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventures” with the premiere of their first episode at the Save Our Souls (SOS) Children’s Village in Lahore. Additionally, singer Shehzad Roy’s wife Salma Shehzad launched two ‘edutainment’ books for children at the same event.
Such measures are a welcome sign in Pakistan, where there are few cartoon series and scanty reading material in Urdu for children, and young kids have limited creative outlets for recreation. Most schools don’t offer enough interactive courses, with everything being lecture-based. Shehzad, whose Zindagi Trust foundation collaborated with Knorr in 2010 to promote new, interesting ways of learning, sang the theme songs for the “Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventure” series.
Dressed in a black coat and faded jeans, the artist stated the necessity of having characters that children can associate with. He recalled that as a child, he was often told off for asking too many questions, which, in Shehzad’s opinion was an antithesis to progressive teaching. “I was never a good student,” said Roy. “Since I asked a lot of questions, my teachers would start getting angry with me. But what I want to tell you, is that asking the right question is equivalent to attaining knowledge. So, next time a teacher scolds you for questioning, respond by saying ‘asking questions is my right and it’s a good thing’.”
“Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventures” includes celebrity voice-overs from personalities such as singer Khalid Anum, who plays the Mayor of Knorr Kounty (a small town in the show), television actor Adeel Hashmi as Chuck, actor Beo Rana Zafar as Sweety Poo and Arjumand Rahim as Sizzly. The characters have a profound connection with children as they talk about healthy habits and hygiene.
“On one side, most of my music is about serious political issues but ventures like this one allow me to connect with children,” said Shehzad. “e’re basically trying to redesign the education system with the series.”
Moulding young minds the right way
Additionally, the event also saw the launch of two books for children: Plus Ka Jadoo and Toh, Boltay Kyun Nahin? Conceptualised and authored by Salma Shehzad, the books aim to inspire children to communicate openly and think creatively. “The whole idea is educate children while making it fun for them, otherwise, it will just be is boring and children will lose interest,” says socialite Fareshteh Aslam.
Also in attendance was film actor Resham. Being raised without parents, the actor regrets that she could not get much schooling and emphasises on the importance of education these days. “I feel education is something that is necessary. However, enjoyment and fun with studies is necessary to keep them engaged.” said Resham.
The books, which contain 3D animation illustrations, will be distributed to more than 200,000 children across Pakistan through organisations like Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi, The Citizens Foundation and Alif-Leila.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012.
If a human brain is the planet’s most powerful learning machine, the current system of education is just not doing enough to unlock our true potential. According to the animated adventure series by Knorr and projects by Shehzad Roy, the educational practices in Pakistan need major rethinking.
Following the successful introduction of the animated adventure series “Knorr Quest for the Noodle Pot” in 2010, Knorr launched the second season of its 3D animated Urdu adventure cartoon series, “Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventures” with the premiere of their first episode at the Save Our Souls (SOS) Children’s Village in Lahore. Additionally, singer Shehzad Roy’s wife Salma Shehzad launched two ‘edutainment’ books for children at the same event.
Such measures are a welcome sign in Pakistan, where there are few cartoon series and scanty reading material in Urdu for children, and young kids have limited creative outlets for recreation. Most schools don’t offer enough interactive courses, with everything being lecture-based. Shehzad, whose Zindagi Trust foundation collaborated with Knorr in 2010 to promote new, interesting ways of learning, sang the theme songs for the “Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventure” series.
Dressed in a black coat and faded jeans, the artist stated the necessity of having characters that children can associate with. He recalled that as a child, he was often told off for asking too many questions, which, in Shehzad’s opinion was an antithesis to progressive teaching. “I was never a good student,” said Roy. “Since I asked a lot of questions, my teachers would start getting angry with me. But what I want to tell you, is that asking the right question is equivalent to attaining knowledge. So, next time a teacher scolds you for questioning, respond by saying ‘asking questions is my right and it’s a good thing’.”
“Knorr Noodle Gang Kay Adventures” includes celebrity voice-overs from personalities such as singer Khalid Anum, who plays the Mayor of Knorr Kounty (a small town in the show), television actor Adeel Hashmi as Chuck, actor Beo Rana Zafar as Sweety Poo and Arjumand Rahim as Sizzly. The characters have a profound connection with children as they talk about healthy habits and hygiene.
“On one side, most of my music is about serious political issues but ventures like this one allow me to connect with children,” said Shehzad. “e’re basically trying to redesign the education system with the series.”
Moulding young minds the right way
Additionally, the event also saw the launch of two books for children: Plus Ka Jadoo and Toh, Boltay Kyun Nahin? Conceptualised and authored by Salma Shehzad, the books aim to inspire children to communicate openly and think creatively. “The whole idea is educate children while making it fun for them, otherwise, it will just be is boring and children will lose interest,” says socialite Fareshteh Aslam.
Also in attendance was film actor Resham. Being raised without parents, the actor regrets that she could not get much schooling and emphasises on the importance of education these days. “I feel education is something that is necessary. However, enjoyment and fun with studies is necessary to keep them engaged.” said Resham.
The books, which contain 3D animation illustrations, will be distributed to more than 200,000 children across Pakistan through organisations like Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi, The Citizens Foundation and Alif-Leila.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012.