Death on the sea of acorn
The longstanding tradition of animal fables in South Asia such as Anwar-e-Suhaili also attests to the exchanges and politics around nature and societies. Sengupta’s depiction of the forest of reasoning and illogic on the one hand is constructed from nature, and on the other addresses the continued human actions through which the idea of “nature” is constructed. This animated short was challenging as it had to hold onto abstract emotions through gradual movements. The film was based on four paintings of Dr. Paula Sengupta. Precise cut-outs were made of leaf motif and animals and timid yet noticeable movements were given with progression of rhythm to portray the conflict lying within the narrative.
Sunehra’s Folly:
This animated short film in collaboration was created from drawings, textual narration, soundscapes and voiceover, by the eminent artist Paula Sengupta and ornate with the soundscapes by Mohit Shankar. This animation featured in this exhibition heightened the malleability and vulnerability of the protagonists as well as the landscapes. Sunehra’s Folly breathes life into the inhabitants of the constructed forest landscape and further dismantles the binary between natural and built atmosphere. A closer look reveals that the varied movements of the protagonists—from the passing of the unexcitable cloud to Sunehra’s hysterical run across the picture plane—are implemented to bring the narratives close to our lived experience despite the premeditated irregularities embedded in them.
The film was based on three paintings of Sengupta. Precise cut-outs were made and desired movements were given to render the emotion depicted in the narrative.