Press Release 7 March 2012

The Government of Manipur Department of Art and Culture established in 1990 engages in matters relating to art and culture, including the State Museum, Dance College, Music College Art College and the Manipur Film and Development Cooperation. The Department is headed by its Director, under the supervision of the Commissioner, Art & Culture. It sends cultural troupes, artists and artisans to various parts of the country and abroad to showcase Manipuri art and culture, and now, in collaboration with the UK based Adivasi Arts Trust, the Department is supporting an adventurous new project to promote Manipuri art and culture through the medium of animation.   

The workshop provides the opportunity for Manipuri artists to get together, pool in their skills and plan out a short animation film of one of their most popular folktales.   Half way through the workshop and they have already found out how a film is visualized through the storyboard that shows each shot in sequence.   A few of the participants are now delving deeper into the story breaking down each scene still further to list the artwork, animation and sounds that are needed to manifest this magical world of the Manipuri imagination.

The main character designs are painstakingly realised by Yamnam Sapha Wangam Apanthoi M. (Swam), a young graduate from the Imphal Art College with inputs from 
Dr. R.K. Joykumar, a senior artist in Manipur.  Art receives much appreciation in the small state; the Imphal Art College was established in 1949 and it offers a 5- year Diploma in Fine Arts with courses in Sculpture and Commercial Art too.   

The artwork  for the film will be hand painted on cel and the characters will be made as two dimensional cut-out puppets to be animated using computer software.  Films screened at the workshop (including cut-out animation films like “Hedgehog in the Fog”,
(by Russian master, Yuri Norstein) have provided ideas of what is possible with a lot of hard work and dedication.    Screening facilities during the workshop have been kindly provided by the Manipur Film Development Cooperation.  The MFDC was launched to promote and propagate film industry in the State. It has many ambitious objectives both for the production and archiving of films and television. 

The workshop continues until 17 March.