Taking virtual art closer to reality

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  It would be no wonder to see the svelte ‘mudras’ of the danseuse on the big screen impart a delightful experience inside the cine hall when it seems to come closer to the viewer.Many are accustomed to the 3D effect that has been on since the premiere of ‘My Dear Kuttichathan’ to the story of alien stars’ ‘Avatar’. It would altogether be a different experience if the viewer also feels participating in the action on screen through movements and he feels the sensations of smell and touch in tune with the frames on screen.The proposed theatre, fondly called ‘4D’, coming up at the Guru Gopinath National Dance Museum here, in reality may provide you with the aforementioned magical sensation to immerse yourself in a world of artistic rendering in toto.If things go as planned, the theatre would be the firstof- its kind in the city which is entirely dedicated to dance. The motion simulated theatre with physical effects is one among the five features other than the galleries, digital library, amphitheatre and research wing of the under-construction national dance museum on the premises of the Guru Gopinath Natana Gramam at Kuruvikkadu, near Vattiyoorkavu.In future, the theatre would put into effect a perfect synchronisation of high definition picture, motion chairs, acoustic ambience and extra effects. According to Pramodh V S, secretary of Guru Gopinath Natana Gramam, “the theatre on the anvil will be a 60-seated one with all modern amenities attempting to provide a fulsome sensory experience to the viewer, except taste.“The videos available with the Natana Gramam will be utilised for this purpose so that they would be converted into a three-dimensional format before being screened in the theatre.” The proposal at present envisages working out the air-based technology in the theatre.The motion-simulated chairs fitted with cylinders underneath filled with compressed air are capable enough to rotate the chair in a set angle and direction. Certain encoders are attached to monitor the movement of the chair and to send feedback to the control system.A pre-planned system is perfectly programmed to sync with the visuals on screen and make the viewer get the effect at the same time it is shown on screen.For example, the smell of flowers is carried to the viewer the same time it is shown on screen by stimulating the scents kept inside the theatre.Says Aji Krishnan, an expert in the technology who works with the amusement industry, “timely synchronisation is the highlight of the system. Other than the arrangements inside an ordinary theatre, an advanced lighting system needs to be installed in the cine hall.” The two-dimensional videos with the Natanagramam need to be modified by adding some animation effect to get it equipped for the screening in the proposed theatre. The theatre is expected to be open for public within a year.