Profile:

Rishi Sahany is an animation film maker, designer and Illustrator. He loves to draw stories, swim in open waters, observe fishes under water, spying on water hens drying under the sun at the river banks and feels fortunate when a snake accompanies him for the swim. He enjoyed school but hated studying, and bunked school to go on hikes. Through all of this, Rishi wanted to become an artist.

After graduation, his love for drawing found space, and he turned to animation. He received the prestigious National Award in 2015 as an Animation Director for his film ‘Sound of Joy’. Rishi has also written and directed another animated short film, ‘Poly-ticks’, a political satire, which was nominated for national and international film festivals in 2009, notably, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, (IFFLA) 2009 and Anifest 2009.

Illustrations for children’s books always fascinated him. His first illustrated book is Roo Roo, published in 2021 by Jugnoo Prakashan. And his most recent book is Sa Re Ga Ma Pakshi.

Jury Speaks:

“Rishi Sahany’s illustrations are immediately identifiable despite moving between exaggerated caricatures on one hand, and studio life-drawings on the other, between restraint and minimalism, and elaborately painted landscapes. There’s always a playfulness and lightness of touch. The images are filled with meaning and metaphor and often lean into the absurd and silly. The imagery never feels like it has been sanitized or watered down for a young audience, but always feels like an artistic choice.”

Rishi Sahany full Interview
Rishi Sahany Citation
Rishi Sahany Notable Works