NRI Spotlight

MAKING HER MARK – MEGHANA REDDY

From doodling on notebooks during class to working on animated films, Meghana Reddy has come a long way. Currently the Lead Concept Artist at Amplify Education, where she collaborates with authors and creates illustrations for children’s books for schools all across North and South America she has been the 2D/ 3D artist for animated films like Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue, Elf Pets: Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale. The Chennai-born artist talks about her journey and how she started her career in animation.

Mallik Thatipalli catches up with artist Meghana Reddy who talks about her inspirations, how she chased her dream in a foreign land and more…

CHASING HER DREAMS

At the age of six, Meghana began painting using watercolours, acrylics, and oils. Even as a child she enjoyed creating and letting her imagination run free on a canvas. No wonder she worked for the award-winning animation company Primal Screen and carved a niche for herself.

“Even in high school, I was the kid who would scribble in my notebooks during class.” recalls the 29-year-old, “I chose to take up art lessons after school because there weren’t many design or arts-related subjects offered where I studied. At the time, it was the only creative outlet I had, and it helped to shape what I do now.”

“I chose to take up art lessons after school because there weren’t many design or arts-related subjects offered where I studied. At the time, it was the only creative outlet I had, and it helped to shape what I do now.”

PURSUING HER DREAMS

After a couple of years, the youngster began studying design foundation and gained knowledge about everything, from the history of animation to fine arts, design, packaging, printing, and filmmaking. The Chennai-born artist moved to the US in 2016 and admits that she was a tad nervous as it was the first time she was leaving home.

“I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but, I was excited to meet a bunch of creative folks and explore the city of Savannah and the culture. What I loved about Savannah the most, was the diversity of people. There were so many people I met from all over the world and of course from Chennai as well, that instantly made me feel at home. I learnt so much from meeting some amazing people and understanding all their different cultures and backgrounds and got to explore more, travel more, and eat a ton of great food.” she recalls.

Being in the US taught her to be responsible and more independent. It also bought her closer to her dream of animation. Ask her what is it about animation that gets her excited and the youngster rattles off, “I love storytelling, and to pair that with the creation of exaggerated characters who could bring that story to life is something I always found exciting. Also, I do have to say that my dad played a tiny role in contributing to my passion. He had the most insatiable curiosity for art, especially when it came to filmmaking and special effects.”

“I love storytelling, and to pair that with the creation of exaggerated characters who could bring that story to life is something I always found exciting.”

Meghana recalls how her father would always watch a film from an artist’s perspective and get inquisitive about the making. She smiles, “He was all about the detail. His obsession fuelled my pursuit of art and design. We watched every animated film we could, and I slowly started to wonder about every question he had, as I grew older.”

After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design, Meghana moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to work with the award-winning animation company Primal Screen. At Primal Screen, she worked as a 2D/ 3D Artist on two animated films called ‘Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue’ and ‘Elf Pets: Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale.’

These films are currently streaming on Netflix and have been featured in some popular publications, such as Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, The New York Post, The Guardian, and Washington Post amongst others. “The best part about working on these films was the team I worked with. Since this was my first production, I learnt so much from them and they’re a quirky and hilarious bunch of people.” she shares.

THE JOURNEY AND THE FUTURE

The youngster had to face her share of challenges on the way. “I think when you have a big idea or a goal that you want to work towards, it is going to be a bumpy ride. There are going to be many challenges along the way, especially in the creative field. For me, it was a struggle in achieving a work-life balance. I would dedicate all my time to working and very little to my lifestyle, which I have fixed over the last couple of months,” she states.

“I think when you have a big idea or a goal that you want to work towards, it is going to be a bumpy ride. There are going to be many challenges along the way, especially in the creative field.”

As an Indian in America, she stays connected to her roots, the constant tradition she decided to maintain is celebrating all the Indian festivals. “We invite some of our non-Indian friends to experience and share our culture with them. And of course, they all love our Indian food.” she chuckles.

Being in the field for over 5 years has made Meghana challenge herself to learn new things and branch out. “There is a huge buzz and increase in technology that is ascending with an infinite number of possibilities and creativity has no end in sight. I want to navigate my career by combining my skills as a 2D/3D Artist with User Interface and User Experience Design and take up meaningful projects that positively impact the day-to-day lives of people,” she signs off.

Follow Meghana at @meg__reddy

Text: Mallik Thatipalli

July 30, 2022

Shruthi Mukund: One Woman Tour de Force

Hashtag Magazine captures the many facets of Shruthi Mukund, a mother, a danseuse, and a consultant. From Washington DC, USA, in a conversation with Mallik Thatipalli, she spills the beans on her life and more. Living Many Lives A freelance curator, consultant, and speaker, Shruthi Mukund wears multiple hats with elan.After earning a B.S. in Computer Science from Bangalore University, Shruthi moved to the US around two decades ago. Since then, she has worked as a scientific writer for Astra Zeneca and as a Community Outreach Director and Choreographer for Natyabhoomi School of Dance in Gaithersburg, Maryland, amongst other roles. “An arts administrator, a curator of cultural programs for community engagement, mother of two teenaged daughters—my life is a whirlpool of activity,” laughs Shruthi. She adds, “My life represents all things that matter to me. My culture and my Indian upbringing have held me in good stead, ensuring that I live life to the fullest in the US exploring all the facets it has to offer.” Desi At Heart As an Indian in America, Shruthi says that in the last five years there has been a lot of conversation about representation and identity. She explains, “When I came to the US in the early 2000s, it was different from when my aunt came in the 70s, when there was lower representation and fewer people from different cultures. Since then, so much has happened. Today, the first-generation Indians in the US co-exist with say third or fourth generation Indian Americans. The perspective of someone like me who was born and brought up in India is certainly different from those who are born here, but all of us have contributed to the community in our own ways.” Today, as there is more awareness about different cultures in the US, India is known

NRI Spotlight

One Hat, Many Feathers: The Multifarious Life of Tanvi Chandna

A chartered accountant, an entrepreneur with her own dance studio, an actor, and a model, TANVI CHANDNA wears many hats with elan. In a chat with MALLIK THATIPALLI, the 26-year-old outlines her dreams plans for the future, and much more… Dancing to her own tune Having worked with renowned companies like General Electric and KPMG Canada, 26-year-old Tanvi Chandna quit her corporate job last year to pursue her passion for dance and acting. Born and brought up in New Delhi, she moved to Canada in 2013 and has always been a firm believer in following her heart. From CA to dancer and entrepreneur “I think it was a dancer who decided to become a CA in order to become a successful entrepreneur.” laughs Tanvi and adds, “I started dancing when I was 7 years old and have always wanted to open my own dance school one day. However, I also wanted to study accounting in under-graduation. I strongly believe that education doesn’t always have to be directly linked to the profession you end up choosing and I say that because education provides you with a lot more than just a degree that gets you the job.” Having realized her passion for dance, the youngster started her dance school ViDance Studio, a global studio that is travelling across the world, spreading happiness through dance. With her own name making up the studio’s title – Vi comes from the last letters of her name – the studio echoes her own spirit, aiming to be a safe space that enables each dancer to truly celebrate their emotions and express themselves through easy and simple steps. “Like any other art form, dance is an expression of oneself.” The founder explains, “Dance is rarely about the steps. Like any other art form, dance is an

NRI Spotlight

The grace in grooves: Indrani Davaluri

A Bharatanatyam performer, actor, and guru, INDRANI DAVALURI has constantly pushed the envelope with her various activities. Now settled in Virginia, USA, this free-spirited Hyderabadi girl speaks to MALLIK THATIPALLI, about how dance is a passion, her various interests, and her upcoming plans! Dancing like a dream: “I want to perform till the day I drop dead,” chuckles Indrani Davaluri. An actor, a model and chiefly a Bharatanatyam dancer, she began learning the traditional art form at eight years of age and continues till date, all while undergoing two pregnancies (she was back on the dance floor within three months of delivery!) and a debilitating knee surgery in 2009. Armed with a Master’s in Microbiology as well as a distinction-level Bachelor’s in Dance, she is now pursuing her Master’s in Bharatanatyam from the University of Madras. Apart from dedicating her life to dance, she has also acted in mainstream south Indian movies – such as Bidda, Maya Bazaar, and Magane Marumagane, amongst others. The formative years of dance are extremely crucial for anyone… Dance as a passion: Indrani started learning dance at a very young age from the famous Thyagaraja Gana Sabha in Chikadpally in Hyderabad. She later trained under gurus Sri V.S Ramamoorthy and Smt. Manjula Ramaswamy. She recalls, “It was in those years that I understood the importance of a guru. The formative years of dance are extremely crucial for anyone and though my gurus were very exacting, they were loving and generous as well.” The danseuse still recalls her first performance at a Ganesh temple in Secunderabad as a euphoric memory! A form of life: Unlike any other profession or career, dance is demanding and requires a passion beyond the ordinary. It also requires support, states Indrani and adds, “I would like to thank my parents for

NRI Spotlight

Desi Slice in the Land of Oz

Melbourne MAMA A Melbourne-based organisation is bringing local and Indian art and culture to the forefront, giving young students a chance to assimilate better into their adopted homes. Juveria Tabassum in conversation with founder Satish Varma Founded by Satish Varma, the NRI experience has been a two-way street. The osmosis of his adopted culture into the inherent spirit of home and its quirks drove him to set up Melbourne MAMA, an organisation that works towards creating a strong support structure for Indians living in Australia. A production house and a business hub act under the organisation’s umbrella and provide facilities to let young students explore new avenues in the land down under. The organisation chiefly conducts, often in coordination with the local government, festivals and other Indian cultural events to help the Indian community get a taste of home. Satish Varma was pursuing his MBA from the Charles Darwin University in Melbourne in 2016, when he decided to explore his passion for filmmaking. “I was introduced to the Melbourne Telangana Forum, and I wanted to create culture-based films that would explore Australians to the land I come from,” says Satish of the beginnings. Today, Melbourne Mama is the official media partner for international powerhouses such as Euros International and Zee Studios. They were also the chief promoters of the Rana Daggubati-starrer Aarya that released earlier this year. Additionally, they are creating a web-series co-produced by Chai-Biscuit, which is slated for release soon. The business hub connects young Indian entrepreneurs living Down Under with investors from across the globe. With the 30,000 strong Indian student community in Australia, there was never any dearth of expat-talent to bring to the limelight. Satish believes that the push from Melbourne Mama helped the NRI community in Australia break through their shells and experience and