The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), in collaboration with Neelaya Collective, are organizing a unique animation workshop for children. Titled ‘A Toon Club Animation Workshop for Children’, the event will take place at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai from May 23 to 29, 2026. This five-day workshop is designed to introduce young participants to the rich heritage of Indian animation and visual storytelling.
Expert Mentorship and Techniques
The workshop will be mentored by Tehzeeb Khurana, a renowned animation director, educator, and cultural curator. Participants will learn a variety of animation techniques, including hand-drawn animation, matchstick animation, pixilation, bead animation, and cut-out animation. The curriculum draws inspiration from pioneers such as Dadasaheb Phalke, Bhimsain, Pramod Pati, Ishu Patel, and R.A. Shaikh.
Workshop Details
The free workshop is open to children aged 8 to 16 years, with a limited capacity of 20 participants. It is part of the broader ‘Celebrating Mumbai – A UNESCO City of Film’ programme. In addition to the hands-on sessions, there will be screenings of Shilpa Ranade’s award-winning animated feature Goopy Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya (written and produced by Soumitra Ranade) and the classic Doordarshan animated music video Ek Chidiya, Anek Chidiya at NGMA Mumbai.
Quotes from Key Figures
Tehzeeb Khurana expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The workshop is designed to combine hands-on learning with an understanding of animation’s history, fundamentals, and contemporary relevance.” She further emphasized the importance of institutional support, saying, “Institutional and local civic body support at the city level is extremely important for the future of the arts and animation industry.”
Filmmaker Soumitra Ranade highlighted the challenges faced by Indian animation: “Indian animation continues to face challenges such as limited financing, a shortage of trained talent, and audience expectations shaped largely by Disney and Pixar.” He noted that events like this workshop encourage collaboration, investment, and appreciation for original Indian animated content.
For the latest entertainment updates, including upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 and Telugu movies, stay tuned to the Times of India.
