--------------- SEMIOTICS IN SACRED GAMES ---------------
A Classroom Project
Semiotics is a science of communication and the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. Signs and symbols situate their audience in particular modes of appreciation and understanding, just as audiences themselves comprehend signs in particular ways. The study of signs is revealing as the ways in which signs are used, accepted and rejected is indicative of the tastes and desires of wider society.
The study of signs is particularly important in the consideration of the generation of ‘media memories’ as it is through the structuring, presence and absence of certain signs that a perception of the past within the public sphere is generated by and through the media.
The study of signs is particularly important in the consideration of the generation of ‘media memories’ as it is through the structuring, presence and absence of certain signs that a perception of the past within the public sphere is generated by and through the media.
Sacred Games was India’s first Netflix original that went live in over 190 countries. Vikram Chandra’s novel Sacred Games is a 900-page book that tackles all the big themes: crime, friendship, betrayal, love. Sprawling yet focused, there is something cinematic in the writing.
It which took nearly ten years to write, released as an 8-episode series streaming on Netflix.
In a web series semiotics is the communication of signs, symbols, codes to develop a plot and define certain events that happen within the plot.These codes are often used in media to subtly reinforce the way audiences should think about certain things or how they should behave. These are a culture’s dominant ideologies.
Mumbai-based motion lab Plexus and Graphic designer Aniruddh Mehta drew inspiration from Hindu Mythology and the Mahabharata for the show logo and title designs for individual episodes.
Mandala derives from the Hindu language meaning 'concentric energy circle.' Mandalas link with the spiraling movement of consciousness, sacred geometry, psychology, and healing. It is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe.
The colourful title sequence starts with a Mandala design that depicts both the religions co-existing in fully saturated glory. As the sequence moves forward, archival footages of violence and anger due to religious and political differences take over and then slowly, the colours bleed into the darkness that all those actions have brought in society.
There are two sets of fonts used in the title sequence. The former consisting of symbols which are later replaced by letters. The symbols are inspired from the cuneiform, signs and characters of the Indus valley civilization. They subconsciously associate the audience to the history and culture, and create a new form of interest keeping them engaged for the entire title sequence.
The series has a major significance as it is India’s first original Netflix series released globally. The titles use Mandala art in an evolutionary way, with minimalist design themes portraying a few events and characters from Hindu mythology. One can instantly connect with the contemporary artwork that resonates with the international aesthetics as well.
The symbolism and semiotics used are impactful to such an extent that they have been embedded in the minds of the people and will always be connected to the series whenever seen. The mandalas have become an identity for the series and will continue remain so.
Web Series Credits
Created for Netflix India / Phantom Films for the series Sacred Games.
Created by: Plexus
Series Directors: Vikramaditya Motwane / Anurag Kashyap
Title Sequence Director: Vijesh Rajan
Concept: Varun Grover
Graphic Design: Aniruddh Mehta
Creative Direction: Yashoda Parthasarth
Created by: Plexus
Series Directors: Vikramaditya Motwane / Anurag Kashyap
Title Sequence Director: Vijesh Rajan
Concept: Varun Grover
Graphic Design: Aniruddh Mehta
Creative Direction: Yashoda Parthasarth
