Arts and Theater

Ten Must Watch Indian Short Films

A Short film is shorter than a full length film or a feature film. With the advancement in the digital age, there are other forms of entertainment such as short films, stand up comedies etc. In India, short films have a great impact on the audience. With the onset of pandemic, it has become a blessing in disguise for many short film makers, to create and entertain the audience, while gaining recognition through their films. Majority of short films are based on women empowerment, romance, chronic health diseases such as AIDS, psychological disorders; social issues such as unemployment, poverty; women issues – periods, marriages, crimes etc.

Let us look at the top 10 must watch Indian short films.

Interior Cafe Night:

Interior Cafe Night is a Hindi short film directed by Adhiraj Bose and was released on 9^th August 2014. It is a 13 mins film which revolves around a couple who has to face harsh romantic outcomes – separation at youth and reunion at elderly. The story gives us a sense of romantic nostalgia which is faced by everyone at some point in our lives. The actors aced their roles. The scenes of separation and reuniting, are captivating and make the audience emotional. The story is very unique and interesting, and evokes old memories of love stories or crushes.

Afterglow:

Afterglow is a Hindi Tragic-comic short film directed by Kaushal Oza. It was released in the year 2012. The story revolves around a Parsi widow, Meher, who has just lost her husband and is dealing with emptiness and sorrow. The film is very touching, and makes the audience emotional, especially during the scenes portraying the couple losing the battle against chronic disease, the acceptance of death and the pain of letting go of the loved one.

Kriti:

Kriti is a Psycho-Thriller short film directed by Shirish Kunder. It was released in the year 2016. The story revolves around Sapan, played by Manoj Bajpayee. Sapan visits Dr Kalpana, a psychiatrist to help him find whether his love is real or not. Can she figure it out? To find out what happens next, you need to watch this Psycho- thriller film. The film entertains the audience, with a series of nail biting twists. The story is both interesting and a little scary. The actors did a phenomenal job, especially Manoj Bajpayee whose acting blends excellently with the character he plays.

Ambani –The Investor

Ambani is a Kannada short film directed by Vinod Nag. It was released in the year 2014. The story revolves around a poor boy who starts earning money by selling his father’s liquor bottles to the scrap dealer. Later, he earns profits by investing and rotates the money in other small business activities. The film encourages the audience to think like an entrepreneur by investing in the right sources which are available. The story also gives the audience about the basic idea of a startup. Though this film doesn’t have much dialogue, the idea of investment grabs the attention of the audience.

Going Dutch

Going Dutch is a Hindi Romantic short film directed by Gul Panag. It was released in the year 2017. What happens when a guy dates a feminist girl at a bar. Will the date go successfully? To find out what happens next, you need to watch this film. The film mainly focus on how people, especially men misunderstand feminism. The film spreads a sense of open mindedness and smiles among the audience.

Rudra – The writer

Rudra is a Telugu Comedy-Drama film directed by Nani Bandireddi. It was released in the year 2012. The story revolves around the film writer who faces a lot of struggles to make a film out of the script he made. Will the film writer’s story become successful? Watch it now to answer your questions. The short film is entertaining, has a good sense of humour and also tells the struggles faced by the people in the film industry.

Vara

Vara is a Telugu Sci-fi short film directed by Vidyadhar Kagita. It was released in the year 2017. The story revolves around a palaeontologist who is suffering from a chronic disease. During his last days of life, he happens to discover a fossil which is bound to challenge every notion of human existence and the world we live in. I recommend watching this short film as the story is very interesting and has various science concepts such as time travel, multiverse, etc.

God Must Be Crazy

God Must Be Crazy is a Telugu fantasy short film directed by Jayashankar. It was released in the year 2015. The story revolves around a man who comes to an interview. There is a discussion between him and the interviewer, who is considered to be the CEO of earth. The interviewer tries to prove that god exists in many forms. The story has a very interesting and entertaining sense of humour. It mainly focuses on moral human values which is less prevalent in the current generations.

Living Idle

Living Idle is a Telugu allegorical short film directed by Ramana, released in the year 2017. The story revolves around a sculptor who adds colours to the mud and clay sculptures, but doesn’t add colours to his own life. His personal life goes out of control, after Maa Durga punishes him. The film conveys the ways one has to control the pleasures or gratifications in their lives. It also speaks about women being powerful creatures on the earth.

Conclusion

Though short films don’t get the same recognition as the mainstream films, they are quite entertaining, with interesting storylines. Nowadays, many short films have amazing concepts, which are considered to be far better than a normal Bollywood film. Majority of short films are directed and made by young, innovative and creative minds. Short films can get the recognition they deserve, if they are supported and encouraged, with proper budget or funds. More support and encouragement for such types of filmmakers, with amazing abilities to create, educate and entertain is required in our societies.

April 12, 2022

indian, short films

Reviving the art of storytelling: Chitrakathi

The once popular Chitrakathi, storytelling through paintings, is brought back to life by the Gangawane family in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. Ketki Gadre interviews the last family practicing this art form to delve into their motivations and the supporters who have aided them on this journey. After a long day of trekking the Western Ghats around Bhogwe Beach in Sindhudurg, my luxury resort, Coco Shambhala, suggested an unusual activity – an art class. They agreed to it and invited Chetan Gangavane, a third-generation Chitrakathi artist working to revive this art form. Chitrakathi Art While setting up the art activity, Mr Chetan briefs me about the 11 art forms his community (Thakar) has been involved with for generations. His family currently practices three art forms unique to Maharashtra: String puppetry, Chitrakathi, and Shadow puppetry. “Chitrakathi involves storytelling through art on a 12×15” or 12×18” canvas, which can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the painting’s intricacy. Traditionally, these paintings depicted scenes from mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by live singers playing instruments. Therefore, Chitrakathi artists needed not only painting skills but also the ability to sing and play instruments,” explains Mr. Chetan. The Thakar community, an Adivasi tribe living in the forests, gained recognition for their art from the erstwhile warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He brought them out of forests and closer to towns and provided them opportunities to perform art shows during festivals. In return, the community assisted the king by spreading messages of social enlightenment through their art. The artists earned their livelihood for many years through food or monetary donations. However, over time, attitudes shifted, and people stopped donating food and began treating them with disrespect. The Gangavane family is the last Thakar community to practice this centuries-old art form. The rest gave up with

Arts and Theater

Nurturing Artistic Talent: Sunaina Misra’s Vision for Artiste Culture

In the vibrant world of contemporary art, one name stands out for its unique approach to nurturing and managing artistic talent: Goa-based Sunaina Misra. As the founder of Artiste Culture, Sunaina has revolutionized how artists are managed, helping them navigate the complexities of the art industry. Her agency works directly with artists worldwide, assisting them in making connections and developing the skills needed to elevate their creative careers. Surabhi Goel had the pleasure of sitting down with Sunaina to discuss her background, the origin of Artiste Culture, and her vision for the future. I always grew up in an environment where my mother encouraged me to explore art in various forms, painting or visiting galleries. She wanted me to find my passion, so she enrolled me in different classes, from basketball to art. By age 15, I started working with an artist in Lucknow, helping him in his studio. There, I discovered my knack for organizing and managing artistic tasks, such as typing resumes and basic computer tasks. This experience sparked my interest in art management. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Art and Design Management in Newcastle, which solidified my understanding of the field. After various roles, including working for an art start-up and a museum, COVID-19 hit, leading me to start Artiste Culture. A blend of necessity and passion drove me to create a platform to support artists during uncertain times. The inspiration came from identifying gaps within the industry. Artists often struggled with managing their careers while focusing on their art. I wanted to create a space where artists could focus on creating while we took care of everything else—finding exhibitions, writing citations, and managing logistics. My vision was to build a multicultural and diverse environment that supports artists from all over the world. Over time, Artiste

Arts and Theater

5 Prolific Women Contemporary Indian Artists to Watch for in 2024

In 2023, women artists from India achieved new heights and were lauded worldwide. With Amrita Sher-Gil’s work ‘The Story Teller’ becoming the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold, Google honouring Zarina Hashmi for her life’s work, and Nalini Malani winning the 2023 Kyoto Prize, Indian women artists in both modern and contemporary art are gaining momentum. This year, contemporary Indian women artists continued to wield their creativity as a powerful force, shaping the art scene and contributing to the evolution of societal narratives. With 2024 upon us, the recognition and interest Indian women artists receive will only continue to rise. Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President at AstaGuru Auction House, lists some eminent women artists whom art enthusiasts and collectors should watch for in this year. Nalini Malani: Among the trailblazers in the contemporary art scene who are making an impact on a global scale is painter and multimedia artist Nalini Malani, recognised for her innovative use of technology and distinctive visual language. Born in Karachi in 1946, she studied at Sir J.J. School of Arts and became one of India’s video art pioneers. Malani’s work often explores themes of feminism, war, and the human condition, challenging viewers to engage with complex issues in new and thought-provoking ways. Her dedication to seeing the artist as an activist and her exploration of womanhood through various media has indelibly impacted India’s contemporary art. Bharti Kher: Influential contemporary Indian artist Bharti Kher was born in London to Indian immigrant parents in 1969. She captivates with her avant-garde creations that transcend traditional boundaries and is best known for works constructed with many bindis. Renowned for her thought-provoking sculptures and installations, Kher often explores themes of identity, mythology, and the female form. With a unique artistic vocabulary, she challenges conventional notions, using unconventional materials to craft

Arts and Theater

Art on Your Fingertips

Rooftop is a community-driven art experiences marketplace App that makes traditional Indian art forms accessible to the world. This App is a one-stop destination for all art needs, which is bridging the gap between Indian artisans and art lovers all over the world. This first-of-its-kind art technology company endeavours to curate art and recreational activities based on traditional art. Bindu Gopal Rao in conversation with the Founder of Rooftop, Kartik Gaggar. Rooftop was started to help the arts and artists. “Whilst travelling I came across so many different indigenous artists that were struggling to create value for their crafts. I was impressed with their skills and the passion with which they continued to love their heritage despite the challenges. When I started Rajasthan Studio, I wanted to bring art lovers closer to the artists and regenerate value for the arts. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, this provided me with an opportunity to revamp and pivot to a digital/online space with Rooftop. This enterprise was a brainchild of long hours of work, tears, and a zeal to make Indian traditional arts mainstream again,” explains Kartik Gaggar, CEO & Founder, of Rooftop. So how does it work? Rooftop works for art lovers and artists. It intends to connect the two and create revenue and value for different art forms scattered around the country. Rooftop onboards artists and experts based on their level of skills and love for their craft. The team record either workshops or courses with them to then market the same to different target audiences ranging from simple art lovers to hardcore artists. They also have subscription plans for people who are passionate about learning and upskilling. “Subscription is a great way to consume art and courses are great as it also gives you a personal connection with the