Entertainment

Dhaneesh James’s well knit story

Sewing together pieces of a long-lost childhood, Dhaneesh Jameson reflects on family, love and tragedy in his award-winning short film, The Blue Sweater

Published

8 years ago

May 13, 2016

FWDmedia

Sewing together pieces of a long-lost childhood, Dhaneesh Jameson reflects on family, love and tragedy in his award-winning short film, The Blue Sweater

Neela Kuppayam, or The Blue Sweater, is a short animated film by Dhaneesh Jameson on the loving bond between a sister and brother, and the gripping pain of loss.

The film starts with a promise a loving sister gives her little brother – to knit him a blue sweater by the next full moon. During play in the morning, the child runs into the forbidden jungle, lined with frayed leaves and nuances of Dhaneesh’s childhood. Tragedy strikes as he gets consumed by the dark wilderness, while his sister awaits for him back home. The film ends by leaving us to retrospect on the personification of death and a thin ray of hope. The story also cherishes rakshabandhan – a day that celebrates the bond between a brother and sister, is dedicated to the Dhaneesh’s brother, and his childhood memories.

Conceived, directed and animated by Dhaneesh, the film has made waves across geographies, from India to Hungary to Brazil. The Blue Sweater has won four awards including the Best Animated Short at the 2015 Chicago South Asian Film festival and Bengaluru International Short Film Festival. Dhaneesh was also selected for the Innovative Art Award at the DigiCon6 ASIA in Hong Kong, an annual competition that recognises talent throughout Asia.

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Incidentally, this FulBright Scholar and storyteller has not been much of a reader. “When I started my career, many people read books and I thought I was unfortunate, but what was funny is that it turned out being fortunate for me. I ended up working without influences.” In 2012, he was awarded the Fulbright Nehru Scholarship and spent three years pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Computer Animation from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) School of Film and Animation, New York, US. Dhaneesh is also a graduate from the prestigious National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad and has completed a Young India Fellowship (YIF) offered by Ashoka University in collaboration with UPenn, USA.

My efforts took me to the National Film Board of Canada and an opportunity to work with Ron Diamond, the founder of Animation World Network (AWN). I worked with him in creating a book on the business of animation storytelling of the Hollywood industry.

With a cap full of accolades and awards, and having rubbed shoulders with experts in the animation and design business, Dhaneesh still remains grounded as we learned while catching up with him for a chat.

Just like the horse rocker and the wisp of timely wind in your film, what is another mystery that we might have missed in your story?

I have a tendency to romanticise childhood. I have a habit of telling stories, sometimes cooked up – things that happen when you are homesick (laughs)! I started so many and then I eventually tricked my own memory. Thus, some ‘realistic fictional’ elements have made its way into the film.

Blurring the lines between truth and imagination, do you prefer subjective interpretations to your film?

Previously, I liked to keep my movies open-ended. I may have to break away from that. I guess I want an audience to appreciate it more when they can interact. I don’t want a movie that is a one timer. I would like to make it a riddle that they would like to solve.

You once mentioned that the frames in your films are made blue ‘subconsciously.’ What has been a conscious move?

With a design background, I consciously put a lot of constraints in the movie. In The Blue Sweater, I wanted to talk about two kids who were different and that was achieved by differentiation in gender and age difference. Though it had a touch of a graphic novel, something not in my style, I knew I had to add sound to it.

The croaks of the ominous frogs, rustle of the leaves, fatigued pants are all vivid in your film. How important is sound to you?

I cannot imagine anything without sound. Ten percent goes for our effort and the rest to the sound engineer. You can even get away with bad animation if you have great sound (laughs).

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You have used several instances of split screens. What inspired you?

There are three people I have always wanted to meet in my lifetime – Tim Burton, Paul Dressen, Kōji Yamamura. Incidentally, I once bumped into Paul Dressen, Dutch film director, and animator. He is the man worked on The Beatles’s video, ‘Yellow Submarine’. He incorporated the use of split screens in movies, which turned out to be super sophisticated. In the short film, I wanted to give an overall look at the cashew trees, the blades of the grass and get the hint of the place.

You mentioned earlier that sometimes it was great to work on a clean slate, although but some artists have framed your work. What do you feel about it?

In art, there’s a lot of influence. I would not say that I have a style. It is always a new mix.

What do you hope to achieve next?

I would like to design at a bigger level, that caters to all five senses. Animation is just another outcome of design and it’s more of audio/ vision. I would like to create a design that caters to a complete experience and help build business, brand or entertainment that gives creative satisfaction.

Do you intend to implement that?

Maggi has become a character and Nike has made customers purchase it for the experience rather than its functionality. I would like to stay away from marketing but be on a higher level where we are the decision makers to shape a concept. I would like design to be implemented into interior and learning spaces; it’s a great platform to engage within themselves.

Like the child in your short film wanted a blue sweater, what would you like to gift children with your concept?

Design is not a fancy term but a part of our life and you don’t need a fancy degree to appreciate it. I think Kerala is blessed with a 99.9 percent education rate. If design is well-implemented, like having physics lessons by Carl Sagan (was an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author), you would not need much art appreciation. Good design is naturally imbibed.

The Blue Sweater

Checklist

Favourite soundtrack from a recent animation movie:

‘Eden’ By Shin O

A Tim Burton (of Edward Scissorhands fame) movie you love:

Vincent

A designer you revere:

Jacque Fresco

A place whose design aspect has bewildered you:

Spain for its amazing architecture, but also Japan for its modern modernistic approach

Words by Atheena Wilson Photographs by FWD Media

Related Topics:Dhaneesh Jameson FWD Art The Blue Sweater

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When it comes to decorating your home, curtains play a crucial role in shaping both the aesthetic and the functionality of a space. The fabric you choose can dramatically alter the atmosphere, offering anything from opulence to a laid-back vibe. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular curtain fabrics that can elevate the look and feel of your home.

1. Luxurious Velvet

Velvet curtains bring a sense of luxury and elegance. Known for their plush texture and rich appearance, velvet is perfect if you’re looking to add sophistication to a room. They not only provide excellent insulation but also block out light, making them ideal for bedrooms, home theaters, or any space where you want a cozy, private atmosphere.

Best for: Bedrooms, formal living rooms, and home theaters.

2. Airy Sheer

Sheer curtains offer a light, breezy aesthetic that lets natural light filter through. These curtains are made from translucent fabrics like chiffon or voile, creating a delicate and ethereal look. Sheers are perfect for rooms where you want to maintain privacy while still enjoying sunlight, such as living rooms, dining areas, or sunrooms.

Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, and sunrooms.

3. Classic Cotton

Cotton is one of the most versatile curtain fabrics, known for its breathable and lightweight properties. Cotton curtains come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, making them easy to fit into any design scheme. They’re also low-maintenance and can be machine washed, which makes them practical for high-traffic areas in your home.

Best for: Bedrooms, kitchens, and casual living spaces.

4. Elegant Silk

For a luxurious and glamorous touch, silk curtains are the go-to fabric. Silk adds a glossy finish and drapes beautifully, exuding elegance and grandeur. However, they require extra care and are better suited for formal spaces. Silk curtains are often lined to protect them from sun damage and to provide additional body and privacy.

Best for: Formal dining rooms, master bedrooms, and sitting rooms.

5. Versatile Linen

Linen curtains offer a natural, textured look that blends well with both contemporary and rustic designs. Linen is a durable fabric that allows light to softly filter through, and it also has excellent temperature-regulating properties. It’s perfect for creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere in any room.

Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, and spaces with lots of sunlight.

6. Durable Polyester

If you’re looking for an affordable, low-maintenance option, polyester curtains are a great choice. They are resistant to wrinkling, shrinking, and stretching, making them a durable option for everyday use. Polyester curtains are available in a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns, giving you plenty of choices to suit your home’s décor.

Best for: High-traffic areas like living rooms, guest rooms, and children’s bedrooms.

7. Chic Satin

Satin curtains are known for their smooth, glossy surface, which reflects light and adds a subtle sheen to any room. They are often used in contemporary and modern designs to bring a sense of refinement and class. Satin works well for rooms that require a touch of glamour without being as heavy as velvet or silk.

Best for: Bedrooms, formal spaces, and accent rooms.

Choosing the right curtain fabric can have a significant impact on your home’s overall design. Whether you prefer the lushness of velvet or the breezy nature of sheer fabrics, the right curtains can create the perfect balance between style and function in your space. Consider the mood you want to create and the practical needs of each room to select the best fabric for your home.

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