Chitrakatha 2011 – Flashback

The 3rd edition of Chitrakatha was held from 19th to 23rd October 2011 and we were live tweeting the entire festival. This year too @AllAbtAnimation will be live tweeting from the festival from 23rd to 27th October. We’ll also try to take you behind the scenes of the festival – and bring you a sneak peek into all the hard work and madness that Chitrakatha actually is.

Until then, take a look at all the fantastic stuff that happened in Chitrakatha ’11

18th October 2011

	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 And the countdown to Chitrakatha ’11 has begun. Just a few hours more. Will be live tweeting throughout
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 precursor – 5 phenomenal animated films being screened back to back now in the NID lawns.
	‏@allabtanimation Quick look at the schedule for #Chitrakatha11 http://ow.ly/711S3

19th October 2011

	‏@allabtanimation Student Animation fest #Chitrakatha11 inaugurated by Werner E. Nievergelt, Consul General of Switzerland and Pradyumna Vyas, Director, NID.
	‏@allabtanimation Now seated in the NID auditorium for a session on History of Animation Education from NID and beyond by I S Mathur #Chitrakatha11 #Animation
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 NID was the first institute in India to formally introduce animation education 50 years ago.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Now screening: “Power of Ten” by Charles Eames”  http://youtu.be/0fKBhvDjuy0
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Norman McLaren used to animate by directly painting on film. even the sound was ‘drawn’ on the film, not recorded #Animation
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 See http://youtu.be/cAQlP6v5fng  – “Blinkity Blank” directed by Norman McLaren. Painted directly on film.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 In 1965, the 1st animated film was made in NID with famous Graphic Designer Armin Hoffman & NID students/faculty – Dot & Line
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 NID has a rare and extremely valuable Oxberry animation camera bought in the 60s. There are only 3 such in India.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Back in the 60s when they imported the camera, it cost them 3 Lakhs! Interesting story of how NID acquired the camera. #NID
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The camera when set up stood 11 feet tall and NID had no room where it would fit. So they dug a pit on campus for it!
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Do you remember the cut-out animated film, Swimmy? http://youtu.be/YmpG4NZFG6Q  It was created right here at NID in 1966
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Leo Lionni and Giulio Gianni supervised a team at NID to create this beautiful piece of cutout animation #Swimmy
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Another brilliant film Pas de Deux (Normal McLaren) using multiple exposure technique on optical printer http://ow.ly/71MTZ
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pas de Deux was an NFBC film (National Film Board of Canada). They made sure their films were distinct from Disney.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 – NFBC had a strict ‘no Micky Mouse’ policy :) They wanted to stay unique and not become copycats of Disney
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Some brilliant films by Ishu Patel being screened, made in NID. Not all are on YouTube so can’t link to them.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 These films were made by Ishu Patel at NID before he went to NFBC Canada and became famous
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 NID’s most famous alumnus – Ishu Patel had been nominated thrice for an Academy Award.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Ishu Patel’s most well-known and much appreciated animated film made by animating coloured beads: http://ow.ly/71NYF
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 NID gained fame in India in 1982 when R L Mistry animated Doordarshan logo coinciding with Asian Games & advent of colour TV
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 2 recent graduates of the National Institute of Design now presenting their work. The audience will get to interact with them
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The Banyan Tree, one of the first animated Indian films made with the help of Claire weeks, was heavily influenced by Disney
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pradeep Patil “Indian theme meets western story-telling meets open-source software meets a determined young animator”
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pradeep – “I made friends with Linux, Blender and Inkscape. It brought down my budget and made funding easier”
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pradeep found inspiration from the highly simplified design of Lord Jagannath, wooden toys from Southern India & Kathakali
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 “Divine Interest” (Pradeep’s company) is focussed on collaborative film-making and also spreading & contributing to FOSS
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Three of Divine Interest’s film are already online and garnering a lot of praise.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Brilliant strata-cutting animation, multicolored clay layered, clumped together & then sliced bit by bit, psychedelic results
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 There’s a 3rd animator as well: Priyankar Gupta but he’s lost his voice so we’ll only get to see his work & not hear him talk
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Priyankar has done a lot of illustrations and storyboards especially for Scholastic Books.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 There’s a special exhibition on the works of Leo Lionni, which will be inaugurated at 5 pm. Should be very interesting.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Later at 6 pm, Isabel Herguera of Spain will conduct a session on Animation Appreciation.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Isabel Herguera is the festival director of ANIMAC http://www.animac.cat/en/
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Looking forward to seeing some animated gems from across the world in Isabel’s Animation Appreciation presentation.

20th October 2011

	‏@allabtanimation Good Morning  from #Chitrakatha11 First session of the day: “Our Neighbour’s Story” from Bangladesh by Najmun Nahar.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 It’s nice to learn about the history of Bangladeshi Animation. The first film was made in 1987 but true beginning was in 2000
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Some interesting work being done in Bangladesh – a lot of highly talented artists.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Bangladeshi animation retains a distinct flavour of its culture, music and lifestyle in its films. Very refreshing to see.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pleasantly surprised to see the showreel of Studio Click House from Bangladesh. Excellent 3D animation. Kudos!
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Back after a hearty lunch of Gujarati Thali with Najmun Nahar, the young animator from Bangladesh.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Tara Douglas is now introducing the Adivasi Arts Trust that works with folk artists in remote parts of India.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 They work with the tribal artists in various Indian states, making short animated films using folk tales and folk art.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The Adivasi Arts Trust & “The Tallest Story Competition” has an interesting origin. http://www.talleststory.com/
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 All across the world, tribal stories and art are being preserved using animation. The Adivasi Arts Trust is one such attempt.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 “The Best of the Best” animated film in the music and style of the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, by the Gond artists
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The Tallest Story was the 1st collection of animated Indian tribal stories produced in collab. with west Highland Animation.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Tara is now researching the tribes of Nagaland, their stories, art, culture, music, sculpture, to make her next animated film
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The Trust has held workshops in Nagaland for the artists, teaching them various animation techniques.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Tara has gone to almost all the North-eastern states of India, working with the tribal artists, making short animated films.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The new collection of animated folk tales is being produced in collaboration with indigenous artists from North-Eastern India
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Each such animation workshop costs 5-7 lakh Indian rupees and the trust is currently looking for funding.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Swiss cheese, Swiss chocolates, Swiss watches, you’ve heard about them all. Now how about some Swiss Animation?
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Really looking forward to the next sessions – “Swiss Animation: Say Cheese” by Rolf Baechler
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Rolf is going to introduce us to Swiss animation, its history and share some contemporary films from Switzerland.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Compared to other European countries, animation came to Switzerland pretty late.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 when the Annecy festival began in 1960, a lot of people from Geneva went across and discovered animation in its true sense.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Rolf almost laments that Swiss animation doesn’t have a distinct identity. Each film is different from the other.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 we’re going to find out for ourselves now. Six Swiss animated films about to be screened. The first one is titled “Romance”.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 It’s the 1st time that Georges Schwizgebel’s Romance is being screened outside of Switzerland so this is its global premiere!
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Georges Schwizgebel works all alone, like a painter, making an average of 1 film every 3 years, using varied techniques.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Georges happens to be one of the most successful Swiss animators. The individual frames from his films sell as paintings.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The next film is by an animator of the next generation – Rafael Sommerhalder who specialises in computer-generated animation.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The next film ‘Hangover’ is by Rolf Bronniman a graphic designer who studied animation in the US and returned to Switzerland.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 “Albert der Astronaut” an animated music video by Francois Chalet & “Amourette” by animation student Maja Gehrig, up next.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The last film in this presentation is ‘Kapitan Hu’ by Basil Vogt – a ‘tinkerer’ who experiments with various material.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Finally a small half an hour break between sessions. Been sitting in the auditorium non-stop since 3 pm for 3 sessions!

21st October 2011

	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Day3 kicks off with a ‘magical carpet ride’- A Persian Song Iranian cartoonist & animation director Gholamreza Azimi (Behram)
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Bahram is speaking in Persian and Sekhar is translating. It’s an eye-opener to hear him speak about animation in Iran.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The film is set for release next year and is an attempt to capture the traits and distinct nature of Iranian people.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Got a sneak peek at some scenes from Tehran 2121. Brilliant 3D animation and visualisation.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The trailer of Tehran 2121 is no longer available on YouTube else would have linked to it. Looking forward to its release.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The final film left the audience spellbound. “Masouleh” a very touching story about love, one of the best films i’ve seenhere
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The Film Appreciation Movement was begun in India by P K Nair and the National Film Archives Pune
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 P K Nair actually carried films across to various parts of the country to enable people to see them and appreciate cinema
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 now watching a retrospective on Raimund Krumme, a master of creating illusions with lines & simple drawings

22nd October 2011

	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Day4 After a screening of The Rabbi’s Cat, Katherine Ho & Rajat Dasgupta from Turner are presenting on POGO & Cartoon Network
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The presentation seems to be targeted at the students at NID & young animators aspiring to join Cartoon Network or POGO
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Rajat is also giving a low down on TV channel jargon, the kind of work that happens there and what it takes to get in.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Super! Rolf Baechler will demonstrate how to make a Thaumatrope later today. What’s a Thaumatrope? See: http://ow.ly/75s8l
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Now at an interactive panel discussuion about other kind of animation titled Beyond Entertainment.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 First speaker is Namrata Bali from Indian Academy for self-employed women. http://www.sewaacademy.org
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Nirmala is speaking about how they are using ICT to empower women in rural areas to become independent.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 A quick preview of some motion typography assignments by his students.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 And now Rohit Swaroop of Xplora Design School is speaking about his experiences running the school.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Timothy Jones from the University of East Anglia is also on the panel. He’s writing a research paper on Indian animation
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Manisha Mohan from TATA Interactive now talking about animation in education and healthcare.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The panel discussion was a dud. The only such in the entire festival. All other sessions/screenings have been fantastic.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The next screening will more than make up for it. A retrospective of Belgian animation pioneer Raoul Servais by Doris Cleven.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Doris Cleven is the co-director of Anima Brussels International Animation Festival.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Belgium, the birthplace of TinTin, the Smurfs and a lot of fabulous animated films.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Inspiring to learn about the independent animation scenario in Belgium.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 It was spearheaded by artists who wished to blend animation with fine art.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Raoul Servais also founded the first animation school in Europe.  http://www.raoulservais.be/
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Now screening – Chromophobia by Raoul Servais –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioONlKCFLkg
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Playing next – Black & white animated film – Goldframe – again by Raoul Servais
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Raoul’s surrealistic masterpiece Harpya which won him the Palme D’or & many other awards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYiS6lmc_H0 …
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Another multiple award winning film by Raoul Servais: Papillons De Nuit
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Raoul Servais is 83 now and he still animates. The new generation of animators follow a different style of animation.

23rd October 2011

	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Day 5 – 3 young animators, recent graduates of NID are presenting the first session of the day – Young Turks
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Such brilliant work by these young animators. It’s a pity the mainstream audience doesn’t get to see any of this!
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Rather than join a studio after graduation, NID alumni Anuj, Swarup & Avinash set up Girgit Studios http://ow.ly/75Uz3
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pradipta, the next NID alumnus who is showcasing his work, says he is from the ‘pencil generation’
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pradipta is now based in Mumbai and makes animated films & does preproduction & storyboards for Bollywood films.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Pradipta did the storyboards for the popular Bollywood film ‘Rang De Basanti’.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Uber-talented & versatile, Pradipta does concept art, storyboards, animation & sometimes even costume design for ads & films
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Saw the BEST anti-smoking short film EVER! “Na Munna Na” – hilarious dialogues & brilliantly designed.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Next up is Arjun who graduated from NID in 1996 and is a concept artist and art director for many popular for games.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 The caliber of art and animation being presented at the festival by various Indian animators is so high, it’s unbelievable!
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 It is nothing short of tragic that with such immense talent in our country is languishing for lack of funding.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 with no break in between, we are diving into the next session with clamation specialist Dhimant Vyas or ‘Kaka’
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Dhimant is best known in India for the animated title sequence of Taare Zameen Par.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Dhimant has also worked twice with #Aardman Studios, first on Creature Comforts & more recently on Shawn the Sheep
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 NID senior faculty member Deepak Bhai is now sharing his experiences with the Oxberry camera when it firs arrived in NID.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Though he has now retired, Deepak Bhai made 130 films with the Oxberry Camera during his tenure at NID.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 when he was told that one would take 3 yrs to master the Oxberry, he learned to use it and made a 2 min. film in 6 months
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 3 student films shot on the Oxberry being screened now. Kismat, Aey bhai zara dekh ke chalo & When Bugwan got squished.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 So much creativity, so much to learn… Next talk by Professor Peter Parr – “My Sketchbooks, My World” http://ow.ly/75Zpd
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Prof. Peter Parr has done the concept art for The Chronicles of Narnia and has a huge body of work.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Peter Parr is one of the most renowned teachers of animation in Britain and after his lecture, I know why.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Prof. Parr is such a wonderful speaker & teacher. He uses humour to inspire and encourage his students.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Your sketchbook is a mirror, a theatre and a playground – says Peter Parr
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Last presentation of the festival: Recalling Swimmy by Prof S Balaram. He shares his experience of working with Leo Lionni
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Leo Lionni began his career as an illustrator at the age of 50 and went on to create 40 children;s books.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 A fitting conclusion to the festival: screening of Swimmy & few short animation films made at workshops held during the fest.
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 Launched on the occasion – Cowmixx – a special magazine/graphic novel
	‏@allabtanimation #Chitrakatha11 What a way to conclude a 5 day animation fiesta! Live music under a starlit sky in a sprawling park.