Bhimsain

Bhimsain
Bhimsain in 2004
Born(1936-11-24)November 24, 1936
Multan, Punjab, British India
(now in Punjab, Pakistan)
DiedApril 17, 2018(2018-04-17) (aged 81)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Alma materLucknow College of Arts and Crafts
Occupation(s)Film director, producer, animator
ChildrenHimanshu Khurana and Kireet Khurana

Bhimsain (born Bhimsain Khurana; November 24, 1936 – April 17, 2018)[1][2][3][4][5] was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and animator.[6] He is best known as the pioneer of Indian animation,[7][8] along with his mentor Ram Mohan.[9] He was the recipient of 16 President's National Awards for his contributions to Indian cinema.[10][11][12]

He is best known for directing the critically acclaimed Gharaonda (1977)[13] starring Amol Palekar and Zarina Wahab, and Dooriyaan (1979)[14] starring Sharmila Tagore and Uttam Kumar. He is also known for creating the animation short film Ek Anek Aur Ekta (1974)[15][16][17] which aired on Doordarshan in the 70s. Bhimsain has also directed India's largest animation series Vartmaan (1994).[18][19][20]

Early life

Born in Multan (now in Pakistan) in 1936, Bhimsain moved to Lucknow after the partition. Belonging to family of artists, he gravitated to arts and music early, studying fine arts and learning classical music at the Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts which held him in good stead throughout his life. In 1961, Bhimsain moved to Mumbai after he secured a job at the Films Division of India as background painter. It is here that he learned the art and craft of animation filmmaking, under the mentorship of Ram Mohan.[21][22]

Career

Bhimsain made his debut with the animation short The Climb (1970) which earned him the Silver Hugo Award at the Chicago International Film Festival.[23]

Soon after, he directed and produced several animation and ad films. He further established his repute as a director and producer with his landmark animation short Ek Anek Aur Ekta (1974). This film got him another National Film Award in the same year and has had over 500 screening on Doordarshan.[24]

In 1976, Bhimsain produced and directed his first feature film Gharaonda (1977).[25][26] It was written by Academy Award-winner Gulzar and starred Amol Palekar and Zarina Wahab.[27] It received more than 30 awards including 5 Filmfare awards.[28] This was followed by two other feature films, of which Doooriyan received an additional Filmfare award.[citation needed]

In 1985, Bhimsain ventured in television production with the sitcom Chhoti Badi Baatein (1986) based on superstitions. During the same period he also made several documentaries like Der Aaye Durust Aaye, Shaadi Shaadi, Jeevan Rahasya, Setu and Roshni. His documentary Kathni Karni Ek si fetched him two National Film Awards in 1990.

In 1991, he created India's first computer aided animation series Lok Gatha based on folk tales. This series received 3 National awards.[citation needed] Apart from this he also made India's largest animation project till date in the form of a 26-episode series Vartmaan aired on Doordarshan.[29]

Personal

He is father of filmmaker's Himanshu and Kireet Khurana,[30] and grandfather of Kabeer, Niv and Mohak Khurana.[31]

Filmography

As director

  • Orchestra (Short) (2001)
  • The Prince and the Magician (Short) (1998)
  • Locked (Short) (1997)
  • Common Man (TV Movie) (1997)
  • Vartmaan (TV Series) (1994)
  • Lok Gatha (TV Series) (1992)
  • Kathni Karni Eksi (Documentary) (1989)
  • Roshni (Documentary) (1988)
  • Setu (Documentary) (1987)
  • Chhoti Badi Baatein (TV Series) (1986)
  • Tum Laut Aao (1983)
  • Jivan Rahasya (1982)
  • Shaadi Shaadi (1982)
  • Der Aaye Durust Aaye (1981)
  • Doooriyan (1979)
  • Gharaonda (1977)
  • Business Is People (1976)
  • Munni (1975)
  • Ek Anek Aur Ekta (Short) (1974)
  • Flowers Everywhere - 1973
  • Mehmaan (1972)
  • The Fire (Short) (1972)
  • Ek Do (1971)
  • Kahani Har Zamane Ki (1971)
  • Na (1971)
  • The Climb (1970)

As producer

  • Trade (Short) (1998)
  • The Prince and the Magician (Short) (1998)
  • Locked (Short) (1997)
  • O (Short) (1995)
  • Vartmaan (TV Series) (1994)
  • Mahagiri (Short) (1994)
  • Chhoti Badi Baatein (TV Series) (1986)
  • Doooriyan (1979)
  • Gharaonda (1977)
  • Munni (1975)
  • Ek Anek Aur Ekta (Short) (1974)
  • The Fire (1972)
  • The Climb (1970)

References

  1. ^ Joshi, Namrata (18 April 2018). "'Gharaonda' filmmaker Bhimsain dies in Mumbai". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Ace animator and filmmaker Bhimsain dies at 81". Scroll.in. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Bhimsain, veteran filmmaker and animator, passes away - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  4. ^ Pandya, Sonal. "Bhimsain Khurana (1936–2018): Indian animation pioneer, introspective filmmaker". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  5. ^ "A Tribute to Bhimsain followed by Concept Art with Nikhil Shinde | The Animation Society of India". Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Remembering Bhimsain, The Master Animator Who Gave Us 'Ek Chidya Anek Chidiya'". InUth. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  7. ^ Iyer, Sanyukta (19 April 2018). "Father of Indian animation Bhimsain Khurana remembered by Zarina Wahab, Govind Nihalani". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Five Indian Animators Who Are Putting Country On The Map". 25 May 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Remembering the Father of Indian Animation and the rise of the industry in India". Times of India Blog. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  10. ^ Salam, Ziya US. "A niche in the middle". Frontline. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Mumbai International Film Festival: Festival to celebrate birth centenary of Satyajit Ray". The Indian Express. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Winner of 16 National Awards director Bhimsain Khurana passes away at 82". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  13. ^ Salam, Ziya (19 March 2015). "Gharaonda (1977)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  14. ^ Malhotra, A. P. S. (8 May 2014). "Dooriyan (1979)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ "'Ek Chidiya, Anek Chidiya', the 1974 animation song that spread message of 'unity in diversity'". ThePrint. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Ek Anek Aur Ekta: How Vijaya Mulay's 1974 animated short film reflected the optimism of a young nation". Firstpost. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  17. ^ "A Tribute to Bhimsain, the maker of Ek Anek Ekta". www.teachersofindia.org. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Film and animation maestro Bhimsain Khurana passes away". AnimationXpress. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Ek chidiya Anek Chidiya director and animation pioneer Bhimsain dies at 81". Hindustan Times. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  20. ^ "Gharonda and Ek Anek Ekta director Bhimsain dies at 81". The Indian Express. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  21. ^ Paul, Sharmindrila (24 April 2021). "Exclusive: Animation Masters Summit 2021 aims for another insightful edition!". AnimationXpress. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Mumbai International Film Festival to screen over 430 documentary and short films". India Education. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Bhimsain Khurana: an energetic and zealous man who constantly inspires". AnimationXpress. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  24. ^ Bendazzi, Giannalberto (23 October 2015). Animation: A World History: Volume II: The Birth of a Style - The Three Markets. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-317-51990-4.
  25. ^ Ramnath, Nandini. "'Gharonda' remains one of the most resonant films about Mumbai's housing woes". Scroll.in. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Classic: Love, longing and disillusionment in Gharonda". Rediff. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  27. ^ hgopinathan (3 April 2018). "Revisiting Gharaonda". You are a nothing. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  28. ^ "Filmfare Awards Winners 1978: Complete list of winners of Filmfare Awards 1978". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  29. ^ Karki, Tripti (18 April 2018). "Bhimsain Khurana passes away: Son Kireet pays heartfelt tribute in this video". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  30. ^ "The Origins of Indian Animation: From Ram Mohan and Bhimsain Khurana to Kireet". AnimationXpress. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Filmmaker Bhim Sen's Grandson 22 Year Old Kabeer Khurana To Display His Seventh Short Film 'The Hangout' On Disney Hotstar Tomorrow". Bollyy. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2022.