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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Movies

A Nostalgic Journey Through Love &Cinema : Best Bollywood Romantic 90s Movies

Published

1 month ago

March 25, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

As we reminisce about the golden era of Bollywood cinema, the 90s stand out as a time when romance reigned supreme on the silver screen. From epic love stories to heartwarming tales of passion and longing, 90s Bollywood movies have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. If you’re in the mood for some classic romance this vacation, here’s a curated list of the best Bollywood romantic movies from the 90s that are guaranteed to make you swoon and fall in love all over again.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995):

Directed by Aditya Chopra, this iconic film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol is a timeless masterpiece that continues to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide. With its unforgettable love story, breathtaking scenery, and soul-stirring music, “DDLJ” is a must-watch for romantics of all ages.

Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994):

Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, this beloved family drama starring Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit is a celebration of love, tradition, and togetherness. With its vibrant song and dance sequences, endearing characters, and heartwarming storyline, “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” remains a cherished favorite among Bollywood fans.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998):

Directed by Karan Johar, this romantic drama starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji is a quintessential love triangle that tugs at the heartstrings. With its catchy music, stylish costumes, and memorable dialogues, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” is a nostalgic journey back to the 90s era of Bollywood romance.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999):

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this epic love story starring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Ajay Devgn is a cinematic masterpiece that explores the complexities of love and sacrifice. With its grandiose sets, soulful music, and powerful performances, “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences.

Rangeela (1995):

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, this romantic musical starring Aamir Khan, Urmila Matondkar, and Jackie Shroff is a colorful and vibrant ode to love and dreams. With its foot-tapping music, electrifying dance sequences, and captivating performances, “Rangeela” is a delightful blend of romance, drama, and entertainment.

As you embark on a nostalgic journey through the best Bollywood romantic movies of the 90s, prepare to be swept away by timeless love stories, unforgettable melodies, and iconic moments that have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Whether you’re a die-hard romantic or simply in search of cinematic escapism, these timeless classics are sure to make your vacation a memorable and magical experience. So, grab some popcorn, snuggle up with your loved ones, and let the magic of 90s Bollywood romance transport you to a world of love, laughter, and happily ever afters.

Events

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1 month ago

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Celebrities from Bollywood create a lot of buzz every year when they appear in fashion shows as the faces of up-and-coming or established designers in the nation. Lakme Fashion Week is one such event where a large number of Bollywood designers participate. As anticipated, the LFW roster this year had a number of well-known names and was stylish as well. Numerous well-known figures, including Madhuri Dixit and Ananya Panday, sashayed down the ramp. Let’s examine a few of the most well-known figures seen this season on the ramp.

Ananya Pandey

Ananya Panday looked amazing on the catwalk as she paired an off-the-shoulder black petal dress with high-rise leather boots. Wearing a long ponytail and walking confidently, she looked stunning for designer Rahul Mishra.

Aditya Roy Kapur and Janhvi Kapoor

Walking for fashion brand Kalki, Janhvi Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur took the show on the road. Aditya Roy Kapur was spotted wearing a black sherwani with embellishments, while Janhvi Kapoor sported an off-the-shoulder silk shirt and a maroon mermaid skirt.

Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit wore a gorgeous black floral co-ord set with a stylish blazer that gave off business woman vibes for Ranna Gill. She accessorized with modest locks and maroon lips for a neutral makeup look.

Shanaya Kapoor

On the other hand, Shanaya Kapoor was spotted walking the ramp for Anamika Khanna while sporting an oversized white shirt with embroidered details and high-rise boots.

Tripti Dimri

Tripti Dimri graced the ramp for Shantnu and Nikhil donning an exquisite floor-length silver skirt paired with a sleeveless black top, a chic belt, and a magnificent set of hand gloves.

Tapsee Pannu

As she walked for Gauri & Nainika, Tapsee Pannu was also seen on the ramp wearing a gorgeous bodycon gown with a mermaid cut end.

Malaika Arora

Malaika Arora spun around in a gorgeous pastel lehenga adorned with golden flower embroidery while she walked the Lakme Fashion Week runway for Anushka Reddy.

Rakul Preet

Rakul Preet, the newest bride in town, was also spotted on the ramp, walking for Ritika Mirchandani while sporting a white crop top and a skirt with a high thigh slit.

Aditi Rao Hydari

In Nirmooha’s ‘Ekatra’ collection, Aditi Rao Hydari embodies royalty as she explores individualism with dark purple coordinated outfits embellished with geometric designs and a dash of shine.

Divya Khosla

In Rajdeep Ranawat’s opulent ‘Nizam’ collection, which is made of silk and features vintage accents, Divya Khosla looks stunning. The collection is inspired by the grandeur of Lucknow and the royal jewels of Hyderabad.

Sara Ali Khan

Varun Chakkilam’s ‘Lenora’ collection, which combines modern style with Hyderabadi cultural aspects in pearl grey embroidered lehengas, features Sara Ali Khan flashing burn marks.

Events

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Published

1 month ago

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From March 13 to 17, Lakme Fashion Week was held at the famous Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, which is situated in the center of the Bandra Kurla Complex. Lakme Fashion Week 2024 covered every genre, with an insightful and diverse list of designers showcasing their work. Collections included haute couture, street style, country wear, gothic vampire inspired, 1800s cowboy tribes, Indian bridal, Venetian tea party, and Victorian gowns. It’s time to break down some of the major SS’24 fashion trends as fashion week just ended. Sustainable Fashion Day, held on Day 2 of Lakme Fashion Week in collaboration with FDCI, featured some incredibly stunning runway looks.

Til, Yavi, and Inca’s Collection

With their current collection, Inca, Til, and Yavi showcased sustainable design with clothing that promised both unparalleled comfort and glamour. In her role as Inca India’s show stopper, actor Dia Mirza dominated the show. Wearing an opulent all-black suit from their “Love is a Verb” collection, Mirza strutted down the runway. The collection complemented the concept of the event and was influenced by traditional artisan skills and repurposed materials.

Gaurang Shah’s Designs in Pink Hues

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Tea Cultures of the World x Chola

With a focus on inclusivity and authenticity, Chola by Sohaya Misra and Tea Culture of the World honoured the merging of fashion and tea culture, embodying confidence, individualism, and empowerment. The collection’s runway was lit up by actresses Neha Dhupia and Konkona Sensharma’s stunning walks in black and white costumes.

U’Core by Urvashi Kaur

In Urvashi Kaur’s U’Core, contrasting selvedges were prominently featured. Her mother, Anupama Singh, along with notable models like Ratna Pathak Shah, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal, Mallika Dua, Faraz Ansani, Shweta Tripathi, and Santanu Hazarika, showcased the collection’s artistry through stitch line details and hand block printing.

R|Elan X JJV Kapurthala

On Day 2 of Sustainable Fashion Day at Lakme Fashion Week, style and sustainability were guaranteed by the R|Elan X JJV Kapurthala collection. JJV incorporates ethical practices into its design philosophy in a seamless manner, improving garment performance and decreasing textile waste.