A unique Indian story
Told 7 ways, by 7 artists, and YOU
Saptan Stories was a creative collaboration between Aardman & British Council as a part of UK/India 2017; a year-long celebration of modern-day India and its 70 year relationship with the UK.
The project inspired creative writing, thinking and participation with a giant game of consequences played out over all of India.
Over seven weeks, the Indian public were invited to submit and vote on storylines for a unique seven-part story, which was illustrated by seven artists from both the UK and India. From the seed of one storyline, seven unique visual stories emerged.
Artists Adrita Das, Gavin Strange, Gemma Correll, Janine Shroff, Priyesh Trivedi, Saloni Sinha and Tom Mead responded to the unfolding narrative in their own style providing a fascinating insight into their practice and motivations.
Watch the video:
by the Indian public.
WEEK ONE
I found it hard to get over my broken heart,
I thought I never would.
Then one night, by the moonlit river,
something happened that changed everything.
Image by Adrita Das in response to Aardman's original storyline.
Gavin Strange
Gemma Correll
Janine Shroff
Priyesh Trivedi
Saloni Sinha
Tom Mead
Adrita Das
WEEK TWO
As the moonbeams danced to a heavenly beat upon the silvery water, I gazed to the stars
and contemplated my future.
It looked bleak on introspection,
when out of the water arose an apparition.
Image by Saloni Sinha in response to Siddhant Nagrath's storyline.
Adrita Das
Gavin Strange
Janine Shroff
Priyesh Trivedi
Tom Mead
Gemma Correll
Saloni Sinha
WEEK THREE
It was a woman, as translucent as fog
and as ethereal as a dream.
She smiled at me and whispered in a voice as soft as a dewdrop "Love once lost can be regained,
but are you willing to pay the price?"
Image by Gemma Correll in response to Ayan Pal's storyline.
Adrita Das
Gavin Strange
Gemma Correll
Janine Shroff
Priyesh Trivedi
Saloni Sinha
Tom Mead
WEEK FOUR
Before I could utter an answer, my heart made the choice. How she heard it’s silent cry, I do not know.
The lake opened and a chasm appeared. I was sucked into a whirlpool of water, light and chaos.
Image by Tom Mead in response to Caroline Fiona Stedman's storyline.
Adrita Das
Gemma Correll
Janine Shroff
Priyesh Trivedi
Saloni Sinha
Gavin Strange
Tom Mead
WEEK FIVE
I was falling through what seemed like a long tunnel,
blinded by lights. I somehow landed on my two feet and found myself in a large hall.
Walls covered in photographs. Photographs of my entire life.
Image by Gavin Strange in response to Zachary Borthwick's storyline.
Adrita Das
Gemma Correll
Janine Shroff
Gavin Strange
Priyesh Trivedi
Saloni Sinha
Tom Mead
WEEK SIX
"These are your memories"
whispered the apparition, now a shimmering silhouette
"for your love to renew, you must begin anew.
If you don't wish your heart to rust,
you must choose to forget the past!"
Image by Priyesh Trivdi in response to Ayan Pal's storyline.
Janine Shroff
Gavin Strange
Adrita Das
Tom Mead
Priyesh Trivedi
Gemma Correll
Saloni Sinha
WEEK SEVEN
They say love is ephemeral but isn't that true of life too?
As my iridescent body emerged from the shadows,
I felt reborn.
Suddenly I loved every inch of myself, and isn't that the greatest love of all?
Image by Janine Shroff in response to Jasmine Kaur's storyline.
Priyesh Trivedi
Tom Mead
Adrita Das
Gavin Strange
Janine Shroff
Saloni Sinha
Gemma Correll
Saptan Stories was a creative collaboration between Aardman & British Council as a part of UK/India 2017. The project combined engaging storytelling with visual artistry, creating a genuine cross-cultural exchange between the UK and India.
Through activity on social media, the artists involved the public in the making of the project, offering a look behind the scenes, into their studios and an on-going dialogue about the making of the work.
Workshops with Indian schools and the public inspired people of all ages to try their hand at creative writing and artistic expression. Check out the project learning resource.
Thank you to everybody who took part in Saptan Stories
to help create this truly unique and beautiful story.
Find out more about the UK/ India season.
