Disneyland on the Ganges

The BBC Reports that Ramanand Sagar’s son is launching a new theme park called Gangadham on the banks of the Ganges, in Haridwar, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. In an enchanting concept arbitrage, Shiv Sagar is on his way to creating India’s own version of Disneyland, except with characters from the rich and colorful stories of Hindu mythology!

I have to say, I LOVE the idea.

During the 2-3 years before I left India in 1989, Sunday mornings in most Indian households were spent watching the television serials Ramayan and Mahabharat (the two Indian epics).
Ramanand Sagar had then masterminded Ramayan. Shiv Sagar is his son, so this is a good continuation on the theme of marketing Hindu mythology and epics.

I have often thought Disney should start thinking globally and embrace the stories from other cultures. Media companies looking at India should take a long and close look at India’s rich heritage, and grab the tremendous untapped potential that rests in its depths.

And, if Disney misses, perhaps, Yahoo won’t?

ps. We saw a really cool play called Baby Taj this afternoon, at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts. Tania Shaffer does a great job of presenting some post-modern issues like single-motherhood-by-choice in the backdrop of the Taj Mahal, masterfully packaged in an exotic setting, interlaced with stories of the Mughal Imperial family, and woven in romance and quick wit. Well done!