V.G Samant

V G Samant is an Indian animator and director, considered to be the pioneer of Indian animation. He received his diploma in painting and drawing in 1957. In 1959, he joined the Cartoon Film Unit of the Films Division, graduating to become its first Chief Animator. He directed the musical short animation “Tree of Unity” (1972), which was critically acclaimed for spreading awareness about the lives of trees. He infused life in the characters of “Prakriti Ke Niyam” (1997), directed by B.R. Shendge.

The movie, which highlighted the importance of nature in the lives of humans and animals alike, was honored with the National Award for Best Non-Feature Animation Film.

The same was bestowed upon Samant’s two more creations “Race with Death” (1983) and “Chetak” (1993).In 2005, Samant directed the blockbuster mythological animated film “ Hanuman Hanuman is an Indian playback singer working chief >> Read More... .” The movie was India’s first animated feature film and was admired by children as well as adults.

It bagged the Guild Award for Best Special Effects in 2006. Over the years, Samant has conducted numerous workshops on animation, where he has taught tyros and professionals with equal enthusiasm and zeal. The septuagenarian was felicitated with the Legend of Animation award in 2018 at the 19th Toonz Animation Masters Summit at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.