>Kanghuitari at 18:29, 15 June 2021

2021-06-15T18:29:11Z

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The '''Indian Animation Industry''' encompasses [[Traditional animation|traditional 2D animation]], [[3D animation]] and [[visual effects]] for feature films.<ref name="nasscom.org">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090126231537/http://www.nasscom.org/download/animation_fact.pdf Animation Fact]. [[NASSCOM]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgkTwH5c_fY|title=Clair Weeks- Pioneer of Indian Animation|website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telugufirst.com/2013/10/26/hyderabad-a-global-hub-for-animation-and-gaming |title=Hyderabad a global hub for animation and gaming |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200446/http://www.telugufirst.com/2013/10/26/hyderabad-a-global-hub-for-animation-and-gaming |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 1956, [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney Studios]] animator Clair Weeks, who had worked on ''[[Bambi]]'', was invited to [[Films Division of India]] in Mumbai to establish and train the country's first [[animation]] studio as part of the American technical co-operation mission.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clair Weeks; Longtime Disney Animator |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-05-mn-40834-story.html |access-date=20 January 2020 |agency=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> He trained a core group of Indian animators, whose first production was a film called ''[[The Banyan Deer]]'' (1957). Veteran animator [[Ram Mohan]] started his career at Films Division's Cartoon Unit.

Another landmark animated film from Films Division is ''[[Ek Anek Aur Ekta]]'', a short [[Traditional animation|traditionally animated]] educational film released in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0156504/|title=Ek Anek Aur Ekta|date=11 October 1974|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hamaraforums.com/lofiversion/index.php/t132.html |title=Board Message |publisher=Hamaraforums.com |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717040806/http://www.hamaraforums.com/lofiversion/index.php/t132.html |archive-date=2011-07-17}}</ref> The film is presented as a fable meant to teach children the value of unity, and was frequently broadcast on [[India]]'s state-run television station, [[Doordarshan]]. The first Indian animated television series was ''[[Ghayab Aaya]]'', which aired in 1986 and was directed by [[Suddhasattwa Basu]]. The first Indian 3D and [[VFX]] were done for the television series ''[[Captain Vyom]]'' by animation.

The first Indian 3D animated film was ''[[Roadside Romeo]]'', a joint venture between [[Yash Raj Films]] and the [[The Walt Disney Company India|Indian division of the Walt Disney Company]]. It was written and directed by [[Jugal Hansraj]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.disney.in/movies/roadsideromeo/home.html |title=Official Website: Roadside Romeo |publisher=Disney.in |date=2008-10-24 |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216091551/http://www.disney.in/movies/roadsideromeo/home.html |archive-date=2010-12-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Indian animation}}
The history of animation in India can be traced to the early 20th century. Precursors to modern animation such as shadow puppets and slide shows entertained audiences before the advent of the cinema. Pioneers such as Dadasaheb Phalke, Gunamoy Banerjee, K.S. Gupte and G.K. Ghokle kept the tradition of animation alive during the first half of the 20th century. Such individuals were usually self-taught and were inspired by foreign cartoons.

===Pre-Independence===
Even before the birth of animation, [[Shadow play|shadow-puppet traditions]] used images to tell stories. A notable example is ''[[tholu bommalata]]'' ("the dance of the leather puppets") from the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://aptdc.gov.in/blog/tholu-bommalata/|title=Tholu Bommalata|website=aptdc.gov.in|publisher=Andhra Pradesh tourism|access-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027163058/http://aptdc.gov.in/blog/tholu-bommalata/|archive-date=27 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The puppets used were large, had multiple joints, and were coloured on both sides. This meant that coloured shadows were projected onto the screen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ccrtindia.gov.in/puppetforms.php|title=Puppet Forms|website=ccrtindia.gov.in|publisher=Centre for Cultural Resources and Training|access-date=30 October 2016|quote="The puppets are large in size and have jointed waist, shoulders, elbows and knees. They are coloured on both sides. Hence, these puppets throw coloured shadows on the screen."}}</ref> Performances were accompanied by music. Folk tales and various epics such as the [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]] were dramatized.<ref name=":0" />

The ''Shambharik Kharolika'' was another means of entertainment that pre-dated the age of cinema.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsource.in/resource/story-indian-animation/long-ago|title=Long Ago|last=Prof. Tenali|first=Phani|last2=Agarwal|first2=Swati|website=dsource.in|series=The Story of Indian Animation|publisher=D'source|access-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110200758/http://www.dsource.in/resource/story-indian-animation/long-ago|archive-date=10 November 2016}}</ref> A series of hand-painted glass slides were projected using an apparatus called the "magic lantern". Mahadeo Gopal Patwardhan and his sons were responsible for popularising the medium across parts of India in the late 19th century. Patwardhan initially took it up as a hobby after being inspired by his friend Madan Madhav Rao Vitale, who was an engineer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-life/once-upon-a-magic-lantern/article1086808.ece|title=Once Upon a Magic Lantern|last=Torcato|first=Ronita|date=25 December 2009|website=www.thehindubusinessline.com|publisher=Business Line, The Hindu|access-date=30 October 2016}}</ref> Eventually, elements such as dialogue, narration, lyrics and background music were added.<ref name=":1" /> The first public show was held on 20 February 1892 in Kalyan, Mumbai. The first grand tour ended on 27 December 1895 at the 11th session of the [[Indian National Congress]] in Pune. The slides depicted various tales from the Ramayana, Sita Swayamvar, Mahabharata, Sati Anasuya, Raja Harishchandra, Shekhar Dashratha, and the circus. The circus slides were sponsored by the proprietors of the Chhatre's Grand Circus. Works by painters [[Raja Ravi Varma|Raja Ravi Verma]] and Madhavrao Dhurandhar were also recreated.<ref name=":2" />

It is said that Raja Harishchandra's story in the form of an animated slide show was an influence behind prolific filmmaker [[Dadasaheb Phalke|Dadasaheb Phalke's]] first movie ''[[Raja Harishchandra]]'',<ref name=":2" /> produced in 1913.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.culturopedia.com/Cinema/silentera.html|title=Silent Films of India|website=www.culturopedia.com|series=Indian Cinema|publisher=Culturopedia|access-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023213153/http://www.culturopedia.com/Cinema/silentera.html|archive-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> ''Raja Harishchandra'' is notable for being India's first indigenous silent feature film.<ref name=":3" />

Often referred to as the father of Indian cinema,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dadasaheb-Phalke|title=Dadasaheb Phalke|last=The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica|website=britannica.com|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=30 October 2016}}</ref> Phalke dabbled in animation as well. His 1912 short ''The Growth of a Pea Plant'' introduced the concept of time-lapse photography,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/animationworld/indias-growing-might|title=India's Growing Might|last=Sen|first=Jayanti|date=1 October 1999|website=awn.com|publisher=Animation World Network|access-date=30 October 2016|quote="Finally, after a lot of effort and struggle, he did make his first film, The Growth Of A Pea Plant, and again it was using stop-motion, i.e. time-lapse photography. So, did anyone realize that 1912 officially marked the beginning of Indian animation using the animation technique of time-lapse photography?"}}</ref> with one frame shot per day.<ref name=":1" /> In 1915 he produced the animated short ''Agkadyanchi Mouj'' (''Matchsticks' Fun'').<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.5/3.5pages/3.5lent.html|title=Ram Mohan and RM-USL: India's Change Agents of Animation|last=Dr. Lent|first=John A.|date=August 1998|website=awn.com|publisher=Animation World Magazine, Animation World Network|access-date=30 October 2016|quote="In 1915, the father of Indian cinema, Dhumdiraj Govind Phalke, produced the animated Agkadyanchi Mouj (Matchsticks' Fun), followed by Laxmicha Galicha (animated coins), and Vichitra Shilpa (again, inanimate animation). Because the war in Europe had slowed imports, including film, Phalke was forced into making shorter works than features, so he resorted to cartoons and documentaries."}}</ref> He had probably been inspired by [[Émile Cohl]]’s matchstick film.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Animation Writing and Development|last=Wright|first=Jean Ann|publisher=Focal Press|year=2013|isbn=9781136144059|chapter=Chapter 2: The History of Animation|quote="Early in the twentieth century Dhundiraj Govind “Dadasaheb” Phalke made the first animated film in India, Agkadyanchi Mouj. He had probably seen Emile Cohl’s matchstick film."|via=safaribooksonline.com}}</ref> This was followed by ''Laxmicha Galicha'' (animated coins), and ''Vichitra Shilpa'' (inanimate animation). Phalke was forced into making shorter works such as cartoons and documentaries since the [[World War I|war in Europe]] had slowed imports, including film.<ref name=":5" /> Unfortunately, animated works such as ''Agkadyanchi Mouj'' and ''Vichitra Shilpa'' have not survived the ravages of time. However, Phalke’s craftsmanship can still be seen in the title sequence of his last silent film, ''Setu Bandhan'', made in 1932.<ref name="glimpses">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv5-YYesbUk "Glimpses of Indian Animation"], directed by R. Swamy, Films Division of India, 1997. Accessed on 17 October 2016.
May have originally been titled "The Complete History of Indian Animation".
</ref>

In 1934, the first Indian animated film with a soundtrack, ''On a Moonlit Night'', was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.5/3.5pages/3.5lent.html|title=Ram Mohan and RM-USL: India's Change Agents of Animation|last=Dr.Lent|first=John A.|date=August 1998|website=awn.com|publisher=Animation World Magazine (issue 3.5), Animation World Network|access-date=30 October 2016|quote="The first Indian animated film with a soundtrack, On a Moonlit Night, was released in 1934, and credited to composer and orchestra leader R.C. Boral."}}</ref> The film is often credited to composer and orchestra leader [[Raichand Boral|R.C. Boral]], but this attribution may be erroneous.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/animationworld/neglected-queen-indian-animation|title=The Neglected Queen of Indian Animation|last=Sen|first=Jayanti|date=1 October 1999|website=awn.com|publisher=Animation World Network|access-date=30 October 2016}}</ref>

''The Pea Brothers'', directed by Gunamoy Banerjee and produced by New Theatres Limited, was released in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] on 23 June 1934, making it the first Indian animated work to be released in theatres.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> The film was between 3 and 4 minutes long and used drawn black and white images. The plot consists of a pea-pod that opens up to release 5 peas, and from these peas emerge five small toy-like figures that play with one another. The film was basically an experimental attempt and hence lacked a proper storyline. It resembled the tradition of [[Disney]] and other foreign animators, whose films were released quite often in Calcutta.<ref name=":6" />

Pune-based [[Prabhat Film Company]]'s ''Jambu Kaka'' was released in [[Mumbai|Bombay]] on 15 November 1934.<ref name=":1" /> The short features a jackal and was animated by Raghunath K. Kelkar.<ref name="glimpses"/> Around the same time, K.S. Gupte and G.K. Gokhle were teaching themselves animation by watching American cartoons. Their first experiment in animation was called ''Shikaar'' ("The Hunt").<ref name=":1" />

Other shorts from the period include ''Bakam Bhatt'' by Kolapur Cinetoons, ''Lafanga Langoor'' (1935) by Mohan Bhavani, ''Superman's Myth'' (1939) by G.K. Ghokhle, and ''Akash Pataal'' (1939) by Mandar Malik.<ref name=":1" />

The shortage of raw film stock due to the [[World War II|Second World War]] may have caused filmmakers to choose animation as a medium.<ref name=":1" />

=== Modern day ===
See: [[List of Indian animated television series]]

From the early 2000s, many Indian cartoon channels started producing their own animated shows instead of completely being dependent on American and Japanese animated shows.

For example, the Indian-produced series [[Chhota Bheem]] is not only famous in India but is also aired in [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Pakistan]].

== Awards and festivals ==
Awards and conventions for the Indian animation industry include:

* [[National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Animation Film]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Animated Film]]
* [[Animation Masters Summit]], [[Toonz India Ltd]], [[Trivandrum]]
* 24FPS Animation Awards, organized by Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maacindia.com/images/press/TOI%20-%20Pg%2010%20-%20%5BCc%2060%5D%20Indian%20visual%20effects%20artists%20see%20light%20of%20recognition.jpg |title=Times Of India coverage of 24FPS |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106134505/http://www.maacindia.com/images/press/TOI%20-%20Pg%2010%20-%20%5BCc%2060%5D%20Indian%20visual%20effects%20artists%20see%20light%20of%20recognition.jpg |archive-date=2011-01-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* TASI Viewers Choice Awards (TVCA)
* Anifest India
* Annual Graphics and Animation Film Awards (AGAFA) from the Society for Animation in Delhi (SAID) [Not Functioning Anymore]
* Orbit Live and Kalakari, organised by Arena Animation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=37414/|title=Arena Orbit Live 2016 delves deep into the art of storytelling|publisher=India Education Diary.com|access-date=2016-01-28}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Societies and organizations ==
[[Confederation of Indian Industry]] (CII) framed [https://www.cii.in/PressreleasesDetail.aspx?enc=lS3FqffKRza842rgIVgthUS4Hxu4IkAuRHSXibcXbPY= The National AVGC Policy] to help Transform Indian M&E to a USD 100 billion Industry.

The Animation Society of India (TASI) is a non-profit organization with its head office in Mumbai. It hosts Anifest India, the biggest annual animation festival in the Indian subcontinent.

ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) is UNESCO supported nonprofit organization doing CG Meet up & International Animation day celebrations each year.

The ABAI (Association of Bangalore Animation Industry), with its head office in Bangalore, focuses on the AVGC markets (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics).<ref>[http://www.abai.in ABAI's official website]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatechonline.com/it-happened-in-india.php?id=692|title=Karnataka, first Indian state to announce special policy, incentives, for animation and gaming industry}}</ref>

The Society for Animation in Delhi (SAID) is a non-profit body for animation and related arts. It has now been closed.

Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI) is an active body promoting the Indian AVGC industry. MEAI is also noticeable for high-powered delegations to international markets and festivals.

MESC, Media & Entertainment Skills Council by FICCI is working with NSDC to promote Indian animation, VFX, and other skills.
<ref>[http://www.meai.in MEAI's official website]</ref>

== Industry ==
Indian animation industry is being tapped by North American film and TV program producers largely. There are many reasons behind this increasing demand for Indian studios worldwide. The North American and European countries from the beginning show immense readiness to outsource their animation contents to companies in the Asian and Pacific Rim countries. The bulk animation in earlier years included 2D animation contents along with some 3D contents only. But now, the scenario has changed a lot.
When compared with the past, the Indian Animation Industry has gained its foothold in the International space by investing more in technology, moulding eminent artists and developing better infrastructure in filmmaking. As we can see now, there are numerous Animation Studios, VFX, Game development, and Film making institutes providing several high-end educational programs all over India. Students are also interested in overseas education because of the increasing opportunities and decent pay scale.<ref>[https://www.insightssuccess.in/growth-of-3d-animation-in-india/ Growth of 3D Animation in India]</ref>

[[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]], [[Trivandrum]], [[Pune]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Kolkata]] and [[Bangalore]] have the major concentrations of Animation Studios in the country.

== List of Indian animated movies ==
{{Main|List of Indian animated feature films}}
Since ''The Banyan Deer'' was released in 1957, over 130 animated movies have been produced in India.

==Animated series produced in India==
{{Main|List of Indian animated television series}}

== See also ==
{{portal|Animation|India}}

* [[Animation industry]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
[https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-educationplus/VFX-course-from-Pixelloid-Computers/article15696611.ece VFX course from Pixelloid Computers]

{{Indian animation industry}}
{{Animation}}

[[Category:Indian animation]]
[[Category:Indian animation studios]]
[[Category:Animation industry]]
[[Category:Industries in India]]

Indian animation industry - Revision history

>Kanghuitari at 18:29, 15 June 2021