Gitanjali Rao was born in Mumbai, India, in 1974. Growing up in a creative family, she developed an interest in art from a young age. After completing her schooling, she pursued applied art at the Sophia Polytechnic in Mumbai.
The Start of a Successful Career:
In the early 2000s, Rao began working as an animator and filmmaker. Her first animated short film, “Printed Rainbow,” won the Best Short Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, making her the first Indian filmmaker to win this award.
An Artistic and Poetic Style:
She often uses traditional hand-drawn animation techniques to create her films. Her films explore themes such as loneliness, the passage of time, and the beauty of everyday life.
Recognition and Awards:
She won the National Film Award for Best Animation Film in 2006 for “Printed Rainbow.” Her film “True Love Story” won the Critics Week Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. In 2019, she won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for her film “Bombay Rose.”
Children’s Books:
In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Rao has also written and illustrated several children’s books. Her book “Mouse” won the Children’s Book Trust Award in 2006.
International Recognition:
Rao has been invited to speak at several film festivals and events around the world. In 2017, she was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
Conclusion:
Her artistic approach to animation and her exploration of universal themes make her work truly unique and inspiring.
