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Anigraph 2004 : Day 1 is TUTOR FEST !
MUMBAI: Animation and 3D aficionados are having a ball these days! If it was CgA World, last month, which had software makers wooing students, then this month it is Anigraph.
The event organised by the Mumbai chapter of ACM Siggraph received a good reception in its inaugural sessions. With the participants mostly comprising students, the atmosphere was lively and abuzz with interactivity.
The keynote address was delivered by 16 December and Rudraksha fame Mani Shankar, who aptly pointed out what ails the Indian animation industry today. “The future is bright for the animation industry and yet, important hurdles need to be overcome. The animation Industry has grown incredibly in the last few years, yet mindsets of a few, who hold the key reins of power have not changed,” offered Shankar in a nutshell.
“There is a widespread appreciation for the quality and finesse of our work. The west has started outsourcing content from India. The future is bright, and yet something is lacking. The circle is incomplete. Animation of films has still not taken of in India. A measly two-three effects laden films cannot compete with the 100 odd films minus animation that are churned out,” he offered.
“The Indian film industry has not been able to get its act together as far as animation is concerned. They think nothing of spending crores on ridiculous costumes and song-n-dance routines. It is the same people who think of SFX as something that can be done on the editing table after the movie has been shot!” he elaborated.
One topic that Shankar missed out completely was about television industry in India and how it is doing nothing to encourage animation industry.
Here is a quick update of what happened at the venue:
CLOCKWORK:
One of the positive points of the day was the highly unusual punctuality, with which the organizers stuck to their schedules.
ROLLER COASTER:
It was a day that played a havoc on the emotions of the animation enthusiasts. It was a delight when Discreet’s Aby Matthews took the stage to enlighten the audience on the Digital Intermediate process but when the session titled “Texturing 3D in Photoshop” became a “Welcome to Photoshop CS” it soured the mood rather quickly.
NOTEWORTHY:
Amongst things noteworthy were the students showreel presented by MAAC (Maya academy of advance cinematics) CEO Rajesh Turakhiya. One of the sequences in the showreel was so professionally executed that it was
hard to believe that it was done by students. Those 40 odd seconds of brilliant animation were the ‘highlight’ of the day.
CENTRE STAGE:
The session by Ramesh Meer on 3D Stereoscopy was interesting, informative and interactive. Not preferring to stick to the podium, Meer strode the stage in true cowboy style a’la spaghetti westerns. He spoke on anaglyph and polaroid technology and encouraged the audience to come up with questions, which he retorted to with his trademark wit and humor.
TRADE FAIR OR TUTOR FEST?:
While the organisers at both CgA and Anigraph have done their best to get the industry under one roof, a lone sad fact continues to nag. One fails to understand the reason as to why the big studios shy away from such good events. The potential trade fairs continue to remain a platform for
the software vendors and makers to communicate directly to students.
With two more days to go at Anigraph, there is a lot that could transpire. Meer announcing the end of day one said that while day one was full of tutorials, day two in addition to the tutorials would also be devoted to the business of animation.
We are all eyes….
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
