Cellular Jail now has an immersive multimedia projection mapping based sound and light show

Team L&M

The immensely popular tourist attraction in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Cellular Jail also known as Kala Pani, has unveiled an immersive multimedia projection mapping based sound and light show to enhance the tourist experience and support the local industry. The project’s system integrator and creative team Tricolor India Schauspiel Pvt. Ltd. chose projectors from Barco, a world leader in project mapping and visualisation technology, to power spectacular projection mapping on the splendid facade of the Cellular Jail.

Cellular Jail is a colonial-era prison located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. It was built by the British in the late 19th century and has become a symbol of India’s struggle for independence and a popular tourist attraction.

The revamped show at the Cellular Jail is a massive upgrade to the existing, conventional Sound and Light show which comprised of basic lighting effects on the walls of the jail structure, accompanied with a voice over on a conventional sound system. The specific objective of the project focused on bringing out the history, turmoil and the gruesome story of the Cellular Jail, while placing the historic site on the global tourism map.

“The new show is a visual extravaganza, with an amalgamation of various unique ways of projection mapping never experienced in one place. It is not only the visual appeal that sets this show apart but also the incorporation of a modern surround sound system, pinpointing audio references from all around and bringing alive the action from each surface,” says Rajiv Bhalla, Managing Director, Barco India and Vice President, Large Video Wall Experience – APAC.

High brightness laser projectors from Barco are being used to create an immersive feel, with vibrant animations, illustrations and characters shot on chroma being projected on the building, thus complimenting the physical structure of the jail cells. The Cellular Jail has installed dynamic RGBW lighting to create a seamless imagery in sync with the projection on the V shaped facade. Moving head lights are strategically placed on the terrace overlooking the seating area to add more dramatic appeal to the show.

The show enjoys boosted dynamism through a ‘Holographic Projection’ which creates multiple layers of projection surfaces to enhance the viewing experience. Further, the challenging ‘viewing angle’, comprising of spokes protruding outwards from a center point, was overcome by strategically placing the projectors along with the dynamic lighting, thus unlocking a seamless panoramic view of the structure.

The integrators have also made use of the elements from the landscape, such as the tree in front of the facade, which is now a part of the show. These visuals are in sync with the narration, giving an illusion of a ‘Speaking Tree’.

“We were happy to have a very creative turnaround while upgrading the show. The outcome is a very bright and engaging piece of work which has gained newfound popularity with the tourists. The projection system’s new lighting and 16.2 audio have given the show a new lease which is at par with the world,” says Binay Bhushan: Secretary, Andaman Tourism.