ChitraKatha and the opportunity to get creatively rejuvenated -

In an era of consumerism, deadlines rule. None are spared… not even the creative clan.

Day in and day out, rather 24/7, performances are measured not qualitatively and subjectively but in quantified metrics and objectively. Deadlines follow deadlines follow deadlines and what we give is not ‘the best we are capable of‘, but ‘the best under the circumstances‘, a diluted, workable option that consumers (we all are) in the fast track can snack at…..

Creative work and art becomes mechanical and formulaic…. and lost as we are, we don‘t even have the time to take cognizance…..

null In such a scenario, the international animation festival, NID Chitrakatha being held from Oct 25 – 27 at NID in Ahmedabad promises to be that potent pause, that whiff of rejuvenating fresh air that most of us creative folks only dream of!

The good thing is, that this time around its within our reach and we can participate!

Just being at NID and simply gazing around informs one‘s aesthetics by sheer osmosis. With a spirited festival like ChitraKatha that celebrates animation and originality, one can sure expect to get thoroughly drenched in the gushing spring of this beautiful art form and enjoy the liveliness of animation that makes our Industry so special.

Keeping with the philosophy of NID which gives its students room for thought and encourages them to think, explore and expirement…. the festivals and activities at NID Chitra Katha festival too have been scheduled in a manner that makes room for improvisation, exploration and surprises…..

With nearly a week to go, the special Chitra Katha task force at NID is organically shaping the festival amidst frenzy of creative chaos.

Festival Director Sekhar Mukerjee shares “Look at the perfect timing, already there is garba and durga pooja happening and then we have the festival of animation. It is celebration time! There may be hiccups, but at the end ChitraKatha is going to be extremely sentimental moment for all of us. Nostalgic and at the same time forward looking, we will also have debates, discssions that will bring forth different points of view and a direction for the future. There will be a mix of creative professionals and students and international guests as well making the festival a global village. We are very happy that support is coming in from everywhere. In fact rather then speaking, I want to draw a few lines on the wall and express the animator inside me just like neanderthal man in the cave of Altamera….. and that‘s what Chitra Katha is going to be about, expressing creativity and points of view and an abundance of animation films and art for people to watch, admire and be inspired by.”

Here is the list of scheduled programs for all the three days
(Plz note that there would be a lot more surprise activities, screenings, exhibits and a lot more that has not been put into a rigid schedule format)

25.10.2007 | Thursday

Time

Event

Venue

10:30

Manthan-Inauguration of Chitrakatha exhibition of NID students, teachers and alumni work and press meet. Inaugural Speech by Dr. Darlie O Koshy, Director, NID

Design Gallery

11:30

Designers Mind- A Retrospective on Charles & Ray Eamesâ€™s animation works by Professor S Balaram, Dean, D J Academy of Design, Coimbatore

Auditorium

13:00

LUNCH for delegates

16:00

Lullaby-IP development for Preschoolers presented by Prakash Moorthy, Head, Animation Department Miditech, India

Auditorium

Free time

18:00

20 years of NID Animation-wide range of students projects from past till today. Presented by Binita Desai, Associate Professor, Animation Designer, DAIICT, Gandhinagar

Auditorium

19:00

Competition screening I

Auditorium

Dining out with guests

26.10.2007 | Friday

10:00

Sprouting Parables-work in progress presentation by NID animation students. Moderated by Sekhar Mukherjee, Coordinator, Animation Department, NID

Auditorium

Free time

13:00

LUNCH for delegates