Once upon a time...In a not so far away land

Memsaab & Haathi ka Bachcha

The Visitor

Only Yesterday: Hand Drawn Emotions

As the credits roll past screen, ocean of memories from Taeko's troubled childhood unfolds, helping her come to terms with her own life.

One of the most heartwrenching moments I've ever come across in a film. What a rewarding film from Studio Ghibli! Absolutely terrific.



English lyrics for this achingly beautiful song "Ai Wa Hana" (The Rose):

Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love, it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
and you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying
that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose

What Discovery Channel Never Showed You

Run Cheetah Run

Have been animating this using a Cheetah model available on the net.
Dedicated to a friend whose birthday falls today.





WIP

One from the Past

This one is from my starting days in traditional animation when we used to work under constant terror of our firangi supervisors, hehe.

Manali in Pastels

Have been playing around with pastels offlate. Painting is so much fun....Its so relaxing....just like meditation!





WIP

Shabnam: Ek Khilaona

Dil behlaane ki cheez.


WIP

Season's Greetings

New year wishes to everyone visiting or not visiting my blog. Be well.

Yesterday Once More

These paintings were done by me some 6 years ago, when I got my PC. Was always fascinated by Photoshop and all the wonderful work friends were doing in it. Too bad, the interest never went too far. So far, these remain the only paintings I ever did in Photoshop and, of course, it had to be my favourite subject - Mountains. I had tried painting two places I've been to then - the first one being Kullu Valley in Himachal, and the second one Kausani in Uttarakhand. Nevertheless, I still love Photoshop but prefer working with graphics. Maybe, someday I will return to painting (sigh!!), but certainly not with a mouse this time :O)

Constrains

Missing Leh

I got an opportunity to visit Trans-Himalayan region of Lahaul-Spiti and Leh earlier this month with a friend...and what an incredible time I had! Well, the most wonderful time of my life.....and I knew, it was just too good to last.

Life had come to a complete standstill for those two weeks. Now, I'm back in this big and crowded place called Hyderabad but I think I left my heart and soul back there. Wish I could've been there for some more time....Wish I could've been there forever.

I miss Leh ....and I miss my friend, one of the most wonderful people I've known.

Moom and the Idiot Box

Piggy

A Cow From The Past

This was Modelled and Rigged long ago when I was trying my hands at Max.

DVD Cover For Richard Willams' Unsung Masterpiece

This DVD cover is my tribute to this extraordinary and exceptional piece of art and also to the people responsible for giving this masterpiece the treatment it always deserved! My big thanks to Garrett Gilchrist for all the painstaking work! Great job, indeed! Thanks a million, guys!

Following text is taken from the The Thief and the Cobbler - Recobbled Cut Restoration Thread:

"Nearly 30 years in the making, a labor of love by a team of animation greats, this was to be the masterpiece of Richard Williams' career, perhaps the most ambitious independent animated film ever conceived. The film was the inspiration for Disney's Aladdin, which proved to be its undoing. After over two decades of work, the film was taken away from Williams when he couldn't meet his deadline. It was eventually bought by Disney, recut and destroyed. It has never been seen the way it was intended to be seen ... until now. Based on Williams' original workprint, missing scenes have been restored using storyboards and unfinished animation. Restored to its true form, this lost classic has finally been found.




The Recobbled cut is a fan created construction of the film, painstakingly restored, as Williams wanted it, or as close to as possible. Based on a workprint of the film from when Williams was nearing completion (shortly before the film was taken away from him), using the workprint, DVDs of the two officially released cuts of the film, and other related elements taken from various sources this Recobbled cut reveals the masterpiece that could have been."

Please be aware that The Thief and the Cobbler was released on DVD by Miramax in 2006 in a shabbily chopped, crappy fullscreen version which sparked a furore among the purists and fans. Stay away from it.

Lotus Pond, Here I Come

See, that's the advantage of having a place like Lotus Pond in front of your office....whenever you feel bored or exhausted, take a walk amidst its lush surroundings and feel rejuvenated!

New Year Wishes

Wishing everyone a great and fruitful New Year, filled with loads of happiness & success! Here's an old and dumb animation, from my starting days...if anyone cares :O)

An Unfinished Landscape

Alright...So here comes a post after ages. Been a little busy and a little lazy for sometime. Started this landscape sometime ago but cant forgive myself for leaving it unfinished. Anyway, I'm going to finish it as soon as I get back into the mood. BTW, the image isnt quite crisp since it was taken with a cellphone. I would also like to thank each and everyone visiting my blog.




Loads Of Love
Jafar