When it rains, it pours.
For years, Bangalore animation professionals including artists had to wait and watch as event after event and meet after meet took place in the country’s other major animation hubs.
Finally, a few months ago ABAI (Association of Bangalore Animation Industry) was formed and the association has been quick off its feet having successfully organized ABAI Fest 06 with a record breaking attendance.
Even as the animation fraternity was relishing the proceedings at the Fest, they were presented with another pleasant surprise, the launching of TASI’s Bangalore chapter.
Taking center stage, one of TASI’s most active and well known personalities, Secretary Ranjit Tony Singh announced TASI Bangalore launch. “The Animation Society of India is a non profit voluntary organization which is of the animators and for the animators. We have always wanted to spread our active presence across India and the reason why the Bangalore chapter has become a reality is thanks to the encouragement and support of two Individuals, Ashish Kulkarni and Manu Ittina”
“Today proudly we formally launch TASI Bangalore with 6 brave individuals who will bear the responsibility of taking TASI Bangalore forward. Please remember that this is not a corporate body or commercial organization’
Introducing the new committee whose members include Kumar Chandrasekaran, P C Vikram, Prashanth Cavale, Abha Bhagwat, Ruturaj Arolkar and Ashish Nangia, Tony shared with the audience that the committee was there to facilitate things but initiatives would have to be taken by all the artists. “Come up with ideas to us, but also come with plans of how to execute them and the team will help you make it a reality” shared Tony.
Displaying its support to TASI, the ABAI members came on stage and held hands with the TASI members.
Later on speaking to Animation Xpress.com ABAI’s Ashish Kulkarni shared, “Its been my long desire to have a TASI Bangalore chapter. Rajesh T and Tony had been very kind in quickly responding to all the needs of TASI Bangalore. Vaibhav also is supporting the move. We have identified six animation professionals from different organizations and they are already working on the annual plan. The excitement that we had at ABAI FEST 2006 from the participants and the timely launch of the TASI Chapter, I have no doubt that we will have a very interesting group of professionals and students as TASI Bangalore members. I can see active times for animation ahead in Bangalore. TASI Bangalore will have full support from ABAI. We are looking forward to working together on several activities”
Manu Ittina shared that, “TASI is not a location or company centric organization. Its purpose is to improve awareness of animation as an art form amongst animators as well as to create awareness for it outside animation circles. Bangalore has for a long time been in need for an organization like this. That’s the purpose of my approaching TASI. For an organization like TASI, no matter how much you do it is not enough and I hope that everyone puts in their time and efforts into building the community”
Speaking about the launch and the ABAI fest, Tony shared, “THERE was quite a good response and people from outside Bangalore expressed desire to initiate such chapters in their part of the country”
Committee member PC Vikram shared “Globally, animators and creative people have great fun together as a community in sharing, in development, through festivals and workshops. If you want to have fun, you have to take initiative and that’s why I have got into it”
For Bangalore animation, seems like the fun has just begun!
