“Manick Sorcar: Animations that
Teach Indian Cultures” was the topic of the
research paper of Ms. Wendy M. Jensen, a student at the Savannah
Collage of Art and Design at Savannah, Georgia, for her BFA (Bachelor
in Fine Arts) with a double major in Animation and Visual Effects.
Her paper, which included a thorough research on Sorcar, went deep
inside his animation classics – all of which are based on
children’s fables from India. Sorcar’s distinctive animation
style received an early notice, where she wrote : “His
unique and personal creative ideas exceed some of the large companies’
consistent styles which tend to be overly standard to the animation
business. They are unique because his intentions are not to compete
with commercial cartoons but to give Americans the insight to the
folklore and culture of rural India. “
Other parts of the research work included analysis of each story
treatment, animation techniques, quotations from a series of articles
and news material from newspapers, magazines, video-rating guides
for libraries, letters from schools and television stations etc.
- all rooted to two page-full of Bibliography, and conclusions
drawn from interviewing Sorcar through a series of emails.
"The project has been highly educational for me",
after the submission of her paper, Ms. Jensen wrote to Sorcar,
“The United States has been referred to time and time
again being a ‘melting pot’, a description that is
very suitable. For over 225 years, millions and millions have
traveled to our shores in pursuit of a better way of life. When
they arrive, most strive to assimilate into this ‘new world’,
however, most manage to maintain their personal identity by holding
dearly to customs and traditions of the ‘old world’.
You Sir, on the other hand, have taken a step further. Not only
have you come to this nation and established yourself as a successful
citizen, but you have made a tremendous contribution to all of
us. In your spare time, down in your basement, you produced animated
features that taught mainstream Americans about your culture and
your people, thereby making many children, and adults alike, not
only understand, but accept the Indian heritage”.
Ms. Jensen graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design,
Savannah, Georgia, on May 28, 2005.
Links:
Indian Animator's Work Gets Unusual Tribute
Sorcar Cartoons
Animate American Student (India Abroad)
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