V. G. Samant

Biography:

Indian animator and filmmaker VG Samant is regarded as the father of Indian animation. In 1957, he was awarded his diploma in painting and drawing. He began working in the Films Division’s Cartoon Film Unit in 1959 and eventually rose to the position of Chief Animator.

In 1972, he directed the highly acclaimed musical short animation “Tree of Unity,” which raised awareness about the importance of trees in our lives. He gave the characters in B.R. Shendge’s 1997 film “Prakriti Ke Niyam” life.

The film won the National Award for Best Non-Feature Animation Film in recognition of its portrayal of the value of nature in the lives of both people and animals.

The similar treatment was given to two other of Samant’s inventions, “Chetak” (1993) and “Race with Death” (1983).Samant directed the popular animated mythological film “Hanuman” in 2005. Both adults and children enjoyed the film, which was India’s first animated feature picture.

In 2006, it won the Guild Award for Best Special Effects. Samant has taught both amateurs and experts in animation at his many animation workshops throughout the years, always with the same fervor and excitement.

During the 19th Toonz Animation Masters Summit in Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in 2018, the septuagenarian was honored with the Legend of Animation award.