South's Karthik lends his voice to Pokemon's title track

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Cartoon Network, leaders in the kids' television genre have roped in South India's leading playback singer, Karthik, to sing the title track of the hugely popular action packed show Pokemon - Master Quest to be aired in Tamil and Telugu.

Starting May 18, the show will air on Cartoon Network in four languages- English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The month of May will be a treat for kids with the launch of two more shows in Tamil and Telugu. These include the Dragon Ball Z series and The Justirisers along with the other evergreen, classics like Richie Rich, the all new Popeye show, Scooby, Akbar & Birbal, Tom and Jerry Tales and numerous Tom and Jerry movies, amongst others.

Monica Tata, Vice President, Advertising Sales and Networks, India and South Asia for Turner International India, said, "Cartoon Network, as the leader in kids' television, looks to providing its audiences with the best programming and entertainment across its various initiatives. We are happy to partner with Karthik, the leading playback singer, for the Tamil and Telugu adaptation of the popular series, Pokemon. Coupled with the popularity Karthik commands and the viewership that Cartoon Network generates, we are sure the title track created specially for kids in South India will appeal to them, making their favourite block, Toonami, even more appealing."

Thrilled with his first foray in the kids' television category, Karthik said, "Children form a big part of my fan following and singing the title track of one their most popular shows - Pokemon on Cartoon Network, the number one kids' channel of the country, is my way of thanking them! I enjoyed working with Cartoon Network and singing the title tracks Pokemon in Tamil and Telugu. I am happy that kids in South India can enjoy their favourite show in their language and I am a part of this! I am excited about the track and hope kids like it too."

Karthik is widely popular among the youth and known for his versatility. He has sung more than 700 songs till date, including a number of songs for many popular music directors, like Ilayaraaja, A. R. Rahman, Harris Jeyaraj, Yuvan Shankaraja and Vidyasagar. Karthik has sung songs in several South Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada as well as in Hindi. Karthik's most recent song is in the movie 'Unnale Unnale' that tops the music charts in south.

The Pokemon series was launched in India by Cartoon Network on 12 May 2003, to coincide with summer holidays. The Pokemon show is all about the magical world of Ash and his friends, their endearing quest to be the 'Pokemon Master'. Created by Satoshi Tajiri, the global smash hit series was exclusively acquired by Cartoon Network for the Indian audience and has been a huge hit here as well. The series has taken the world by storm, enthralling kids in over 45 countries and has consistently enjoyed high ratings. Originally in Japanese, the series has been translated in over eleven languages including English, French, Mexican, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese, Dutch, Arabic, Hindi, and now in Tamil and Telugu.

Committed to the southern markets of India, Cartoon Network last year brought a special treat to viewers in Tamil Nadu, with the premiere of top rated local acquisitions – The Legend of Budha and Pandavas: The Five warriors in Tamil. The channel continues to air many popular series such as Baby Looney Tunes, Franklin, Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Dragon Tales, Bob the Builder – Project Build it, Krypto the Super Dog, Gransazers and Transformers Cybertron, Dexter's Laboratory and many more in Tamil.